There’s plenty to do in Vail. PLENTY! Take, for instance, the new Epic Discovery on-mountain, nature-themed adventure program or festivals, concerts, dance and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. We had a blast when we went to Vail and filled many hours with fun activities. But the food and drink scene? THAT we wanted to slow down and linger over.
EAT
Mountain Standard
We first discovered this creekside restaurant on an autumn trip to Vail when, it being a late night, off-season Sunday, most places were closed. Thankfully, Mountain Standard was open. It was there we had one of the best meals we’ve ever had at a restaurant. No kidding! We were happy to return again, this time in the height of the summer season. Flowers were blooming, families were playing by the creek and produce was plentiful. Again, our meal was wonderful, start-to-finish with special mention going to the Coal Roasted Olives with pinenuts and rosemary and Rocky Mountain Trout with summer squash, cherry tomatoes, chive gnocchi and citrus butter.
Sweet Basil
The upstairs sister restaurant of Mountain Standard has served various styles of cuisine over the years, always to success. If the Olathe Corn Chowder with blue crab, bacon and grilled corn and the BBQ Pork Belly Sandwich with a fried green tomato we had for lunch is any indication, they’re currently doing everything right.
Vintage
Despite the predominant (and totally charming) Bavarian look of Vail, there’s a little bit of Paris tucked away at Vintage. With woven chairs placed side-by-side at small cafe tables outside and a quirky, homey feeling inside, Vintage feels very Parisian. The Avocado Toast was almost too pretty to eat with chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, honey-mustard cream cheese and balsamic reduction. And their Eggs Benedictine with grilled ham, hollandaise sauce on toasted brioche with hashbrowns was an easier-to-eat twist on the traditional English muffin version.
DRINK
Vail Brewing
With a woody, Colorado-centric decor, Vail Brewing serves up unique flavors such as a Coconut Porter and unique names like the Hot Mess Blonde. But their caramelly non-alcoholic root beer was the most memorable.
10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company
A tribute to the 10th Mountain Division soldiers as well as to those who embody the mountain lifestyle, 10th Mountain offers a variety of spirits available for the tasting and purchasing. With tongue in cheek , they sell Moonshine, clear as can be, in Mason jars, with the Colorado flag showing through.
BE MERRY
Bol is glam bowling! The first part of the space is a chic, white bar and restaurant, followed by a glitzy bowling alley. You feel like you ought to dress up to be there, but you don’t have to.
Vail Farmer’s Market With around 135 tents, it’s said to be one of the largest, if not THE largest, Farmer’s Market in the state. Meandering curvy lanes, it’s an ideal way to spend a Sunday. In addition to produce, there are tons of goods, beverage and food vendors including one that particularly caught our eye, Cheese Louise Gourmet Melts. When I asked them about the use of mayonnaise on the outside of bread instead of butter, they adamantly told me butter was the only way to go (we agree). The last Farm-to-Table Dinner of the season, held in conjunction with the Market is August 12!
Antlers Hotel With fancy kitchens and gas grills on the balcony, Antlers is an ideal home base while having fun in Vail. Cook some of what you bought at the Farmer’s Market and enjoy a nice bottle of wine and relax, resting up from all those good times. Work off some calories in the pool or walk around the Village along easy paths. And when you get hungry again, the free shuttle picks up nearby to take you off to more ways to Eat, Drink and be Merry in Vail.
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