THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Conundrum

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Conundrum Restaurant Review:

Chef George Mahaffey, who made quite a reputation when he was at the Little Nell Hotel, and master sommelier Jay Fletcher, are the creative forces behind what is surely Aspen’s hottest new destination restaurant for the millennium season. The Taster’s Menu gives a picture of what to expect: Maine lobster tortelloni with baby bok choy, cucumber cream and lobster-caviar sauce; seared Hudson Valley foie gras with grilled figs, apricot couscous and 100 year-old balsamico; filet of turbot with fava beans, wild mushrooms and black truffle vinaigrette; roast lamb chop and braised veal cheek with horseradish potatoes, roasted baby turnips and herb jus; and warm bittersweet chocolate cake with Port wine ice cream and berries in orange-Muscat-vanilla bean syrup. Sommelier Jay Fletcher admits that the cellar is in development; but already it includes a hard-to-find ZED Merlot from California and a nice list of international selections complete with two vintages of Chateau Y’Quem. The décor is easy and elegant with just the right balance of lighting, buzz, and streamlined comforts. We don’t even mind being seated in what might be considered the worst table in many restaurants---by the kitchen---because we can watch Mahaffey at work. Make reservations for dinner here as soon as you’ve booked a flight to Aspen.