Julia’s New(ish) Aspen Eats
Aspen is a whole new world. Being surrounded by the mountains and nothing else feels surreal. The livelihood, the happiness, the skiing, and the food is what makes this place so special. I mean, the amount of fish my family and I eat on this trip is insane in the middle of a mountain range. Here are a few of the best dishes and snacks I have tried over the course of my trips to this wonderful winter-wonderland.
Betulas Hamachi Tiradito
Betula transports you out of aspen. The delicate decor, the rooftop setting makes it feel as if you’re sitting on a beach. While I did find the food to be delicious, the menu was quite small and rich. The Hamachi Tiradito was a way to escape that heaviness, and eat something that was delicate and delicious. Served with cilantro, yuzu, soy sauce, and jalapeno, the Hamachi Tiradito is a must have. The flavors match perfectly together, a little sour, a little sweet, but a lot of joy. This single bite is a burst of flavor. I love how the yuzu juice covers the slice, giving a nice texture to the fish. This appetizer is a must have!
It’s a good day if you get into Ajax Tavern after a long day of skiing Ajax Mountain and Spar Gulch (🤮). I’ve never liked Ajax Mountain. The people, the straight-skiers, it’s always a mess. My first time skiing Aspen Mountain, my dad went way too far ahead, and my sister and I got lost. We weren’t bad skiers, but we definitely couldn’t do black diamonds. The moment I couldn’t see my mom or dad, I pulled out my phone, no connection. What did I expect? I was 11,212 feet above ground level. Then, I saw a microwave and her ski instructor. Immediately I skied to them. The lady, around 45, offered me her phone to call my parents, she had cellular. Trust me, I’ve been begging my parents to switch from AT&T to Verizon for months. In the end, I got to my parents, but Ajax has always been a mountain to skip, I’d rather ski Highlands.
Well, Ajax Tavern saved the day. This hot chocolate was perfect. It was silky smooth, had a nice chocolate flavor, and was the perfect temperature. Hands down the best hot chocolate ever, and I have tried tens and tens of hot chocolates. If you are ever in Aspen, and are looking for a party and some good hot chocolate, come to Ajax Tavern.
