|
Pine Creek Cookhouse, Aspen, Colorado for another "absolute destination Restaurant" Summer or Winter |
|
|
|
|
Written by Mr Five Star
|
|
I seldom visit Aspen or Snowmass without a meal at the Pine Creek Cookhouse, summer or winter. This is a destination restaurant well worth the short drive.
 Legendary Mountain Dining Located 11 miles outside Aspen at the base of the Elk Mountain range the Ashcroft Ski Touring cross-country area has over 35 km of groomed trails. At the heart of the area, the Pine Creek Cookhouse is the premier Aspen dining experience for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, nature lovers and gourmands. Originally built in 1971 and destroyed by fire in April 2003, the Pine Creek Cookhouse—spectacularly re-created as an authentic log cabin of native Colorado logs— once again delights diners with unique mountain gourmet cuisine. Guests leave their cars behind at the historic Ghost Town of Ashcroft to cross country ski, snowshoe, or ride the horse drawn sleigh to the Cookhouse. 
For lunch, skiers enjoy freshly made soup or wild game goulash along with the famous "Skier’s Banquet"—a fresh array of greens, grains, pastas, and seafood salads. At dinner, take a guided ski adventure by miner’s light or a romantic sleigh ride to the Cookhouse, then enjoy such legendary traditions as Porcini Dusted Elk or Jack Daniels Marinated Caribou. Wild game doesn’t appeal? The wild Alaskan Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and vegetarian specials will please the most finicky palette.
Reservations are suggested for lunch, required for dinner. LunchLunch reservations are offered at noon and 1:45 p.m. daily. The sleighs depart King Cabin Nordic Center at 11:30 for the noon seating, and 1:15 p.m. for the 1:30 seating. Skiers and snowshoers will want to depart King Cabin 30 minutes to one hour prior to their lunch reservation at the Cookhouse. Dinner Dinner reservations entail a 6:30 p.m. arrival at the King Cabin Nordic Center. Here guests will gear up for their guided ski or snowshoe adventure, or board the horse drawn sleigh for the 20 minute ride to the Cookhouse for dinner. Most guests arrive back at the King Cabin following dinner between 9:30 and 10:00 pm.
For reservations please call 970.925.1044, or you may request a reservation (click here).The Pine Creek Cookhouse is one of Colorado’s most spectacular venues for weddings and private celebration dinners of all kinds. For information on the Pine Creek Cookhouse click here to go to their web site.
DINNER HIGHLIGHTS Crab and Shrimp SaladLump Crabmeat, Gulf Shrimp, Avocado on Field Greens, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella and Hamilton Dressing Herb Crusted TroutBasil-Citrus Sauce with Crayfish Butter and Herbed Piave Risotto Wild Game Mixed GrillHomemade Buffalo, Venison, Elk and Blueberry Sausage; Axis Deer Chop; and Medallion of Antelope; Maple-Mustard Sauce and Organic Gold Potato Duchess Seared Elk TenderloinWild Mushroom Sauce, Polenta Soufflé, and Potatoes Lyonnaise Organic Free-Range ChickenStuffed with Prosciutto, Basil, Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese, With Two Mustard Sauce and Wild Rice Pilaf
|
