We drive to ski, gamble, and see perfect views, so why not extend the experience to the best places to get dinner and a perfectly done steak too. These three spots have all you need for the best weekend adventure away, with restaurants worth traveling to.
Ski-In, Ski-Out and Dine At WYLD In Bachelor Gulch
During the winter season nothing beats the luxury of a resort with its own lifts ready to launch one from bed to slopes. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, located just two hours from Denver in Avon, is one such place. Plus, the mountain-style, fine-dining restaurant WYLD, a Michelin recommended spot, serves up a meal just as memorable as the mountain views.
Executive chef Jasper Schneider oversees the kitchen, and we recommend going all out and ordering the Chef’s Tasting Menu ($225). The multi-course meal includes dishes featuring locally farmed meats, vegetables, and sustainably-sourced seafood. Of course crafting your own dining experience from the dinner menu is also an option. Try the Maitake Mushroom Salad ($27) with Asian greens, dried miso, goat cheese, and yuzu tamari dressing. Add on a 14-ounce New York Strip Steak ($82) with homemade Worcestershire and cipollini onion, and you may not even need to ski to get a dose of excitement.
Exploring the ski-in, ski-out feature proves just as streamlined, and the properties ski concierge can take gear and prepare it for you each day. After the slopes and before dinner, take advantage of live music and a drink in the lounge. Or, après-ski at Fireside Bar, where the party continues with a live DJ and roaring fire.
The hotel has a great spa too, with 19 treatment rooms, hot and cold plunge pools, and a co-ed grotto, providing the ultimate relaxation experience. There’s also a fitness center, an outdoor lap pool, and jacuzzi to seal the deal on this perfect getaway. 0130 Daybreak Ridge Rd., Avon ritzcarlton.com.
Place Your Bet and Appetite at Monarch Chophouse
Not everyone realizes Black Hawk is a small casino town nestled at the base of the Rockies, and it has great restaurants. It’s about an hour from Downtown Denver, and while 10 casinos operate there, we suggest heading to the upscale Monarch Casino Resort Spa. That’s right, it’s a casino, spa, luxury suites, and houses the unparalleled Monarch Chophouse.
Located on the third floor of the casino, the Monarch Chophouse is led by executive chef Alex Lopez. The menu has a rich variety of proteins, including seafood, beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and bison, guaranteeing something for every carnivore.
For ordering ease, Lopez shared his ideal menu, sure to make you win even before hitting the tables. Start with the Wagyu Meatball Slider ($11), served on a bun made with wagyu fat and topped with house-made mozzarella and smoked tomato sauce. Next, the Bison Carpaccio ($22) offers an elegant and meaty appetizer complete with fried capers, arugula, and a 22-month aged gouda.
Next, a 10-ounce, 45-day dry-aged Prime New York Strip ($98) with demi-glace, stewed mushrooms, and beef chicharrón. Pair the succulent steak with a side of jumbo asparagus in a lemon zest parmesan sauce and the Truffle Mac and Cheese ($18). If seafood is more your style, the Chilean Sea Bass ($50) with turmeric fingerling potatoes, rasam broth, and saffron comes highly recommended.
Once full, throw a few coins in the slots and hope to win big, though after that meal you may feel you’ve already done that. 488 Main St., Black Hawk, monarchblackhawk.com
Mountain Getaway and Cozy Fare In Beaver Creek
The mountains offer endless activities like hiking, mountain biking, golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, and more. To make the trip even more memorable, why not arrive at dinner via a 45-minute horseback ride, shuttle, or sleigh ride. These are the only ways to get to Zach’s Cabin.
Overseen by executive chef Alex Slaglet, the restaurant opens seasonally, and in the winter the destination is a snowy paradise that truly feels as if you’ve stepped through the wardrobe and into a secluded oasis. Plus, the Alsatian-style food is as tantalizing as the snow witch’s Turkish delight, and even better.
Menu items may include starters such as Tartare & Caviar ($39), made with wagyu beef, ossetra caviar, hazelnuts, and kettle chips, and bowls of steaming Split Pea Soup ($23) with Berkshire pork belly. Heartier fare like the Smoked Elk Loin ($77) with coffee-roasted beets or Dry Aged Wagyu Fillet ($101) with creamy pómmes pavé, will surely warm the body and soul on a cold winter night.
For an interactive table option, try the Alpine Cheese Fondue ($43), with an upgrade of beer-poached sausage and tenderloin medallions ($25). While the menu changes seasonally, you can expect a refined selection of wild game, steak, and seafood. 214 Beaver Creek Pl, Avon beavercreek.com
Sponsored by Buckhead Pride
