Denver is lovely this time of year

I have been back a week now from my fabulous Denver/Vail vacation.
Vacations seem to elude me often. Time passes quickly and being the passive aggressive person that I am. I tend to mumble about needing a vacation but never take one.
Since my favorite and only sister had moved to Colorado I travel to Denver as much as I can.
Thoughts have crossed my mind to move and become a Rockies fan. I do like my coors.
I love my sister.
Then I fly back looping over Manhattan and get sight of that skyline..empire state building, Chrysler building...bridges connecting to every borough, my heart still skips a beat. The sights of NYC can and most likely always will take my breath away.
It's like that first love...when you really truly knew you were in love. The giddy, heart beating fast, flush feeling you get from your head to your toes. Movie kisses standing on your tip toes and one foot slightly rising behind you. Tingles and kisses and sunshine with butterflies and bluebirds singing around your head.
NYC still does that.
It's the best thing I ever ate kinda place.
So I guess Denver will have to wait...I don't think I'm in good enough shape to live there right now anyway.
For those that know Colorado...it's that picture perfect place in the US. Driving through to Vail or any place for that matter you see mountains and tiny villages of cluster houses. Years ago someone traveled through and had a handful of monopoly houses and hotels and just threw them at the foothills of these beautiful mountains under the bluest sky.
Then bought a few railroads and tossed those in as well.
Jail is only on one corner of the board...so you have to wait your turn to get out of jail. But while there you get the best beef and lots of beer.
This trip was my birthday celebration. I left NY on a Friday and spent a few days doing sister things in Denver. Sister lives in a beautiful high rise condo she just had entirely gutted and renovated.
Sister is the pretty smart one...I was always the cute funny one. Years of mother comparing and pitting us against one another "borrowing clothes", boyfriends, husbands, kids, and divorces, diets, weight fluctuation and hair dye have brought us now to the closest we've ever been.
For this reason I know someday we will end up living together again sometime in our lives. Just not today.
Other than the mother child bond, sister bond is a powerful thing.
Brother's can bond...but they just punch each other and grunt.
Sister's...well, it's the womensense. We feel, talk, laugh, expose everything and we know forgiveness.
Our hearts are big and open and generous.
Even the mean girls have a kindness they can't hide. It's all there...they just seem to protect it a bit with bitchiness.

Jen came to Denver Sunday night. Monday morning we drove to Vail. Cascade Village resort and spa was our home for the next 3 days.
Beautiful hotel. Setting was at the foothills with it's own ski lift. They have one of the top rated restaurants, the Atwater at Gore Creek. YES...we had a creek outside our balcony. The balcony view was the snow covered mountains and a babbling brook.
Picture perfect. I mean really. Who designed Colorado ?? Nature gets an A+ for this one.

Dinner..this was my vacation, but my favorite thing is food. Friends then food. Family friends then food. family, friends, music then food. no food beats music.
Dance and Art is in there somewhere and men ?? well if I had a choice between a great meal with a bad date or a good date with a bad meal. It's no question...ya gotta have the great meal. Maybe the date wasn't that bad...as Miss Bashy says...at least you got a good meal out of it.

Sweet Basil in Vail.http://www.sweetbasil-vail.com/index.php

Jen saw Giada talk about it so if it's good enough for Giada it's good enough for us.
Cocktails at the bar was lovely...bartenderm sorry we can't remember his name guy was adorable. Obviously this is the posh place to be. What I love about resort towns and particularly ski towns you can wear anything. You will get a table at the finest place in town wearing a wool hat ski pants and ski google sun burn. The conversations at the bar are friendly and everyone is happy and welcoming.
I have thought about just going to resort type hotels and sit at the bar and just meet people coming and going. Some are waiting for friends, some are alone in town, some are celebrating but all of them are happy to be there.
Resort bars seem to break down walls of insecurity.
Or maybe its the booze that does that.
The other thing that ski resorts are better than beach resorts...I can wear more clothes and don't have to stress about the whole bathing suit and no tan thing.
After all...this is a food blog not a I look fabulous in a bikini blog.
Meeting people from DC, Chicago, New Jersey and NY...finally after 2 hours a native from Colorado was sitting next to Jen.
Just about the same time out table was ready.
The bartender guy we can't remember his name guy made delicious dirty martini's, grey goose, extra dirty and extra blue cheese olives. we also tried the Detoxini...sounds healthy but its not. It's just delicious.

APPETIZERS

Maine Lobster Bisque
Poached Lobster, Vanilla, Tarragon, Sherry Milk Froth
$15

Caesar Salad
Creamy Garlic Vinaigrette, Organic Egg, Reggiano Parmesan
$12

Spinach and Endive Salad
Green Apple, Sultana Raisins, Warm Colorado Camembert,
Savory Pecan Streusel, Sherry Maple Vinaigrette
$13

Brioche Crusted Marrow Bones
Parsley Salad, Fleur de Sel, Grilled Country Bread
$16

Marcona Almond Dusted Sea Scallops
Green Apple, Spinach and Bacon Slaw, Sunchoke Apple Puree, Tarragon Oil
$17

Oysters on the Half Shell
Market Inspired Selection and Garnish
Market Price

Jumbo Lump Crab “Mac and Cheese”
House-made Ricotta Agnolotti, Parmesan Brodo,
Orange, Black Truffle
$20

Wild Gulf Shrimp and Anson Mills Grits
Black Pepper and Bacon Grits, Piquillos Peppers, Grilled Scallion,
Candied Pancetta, Creole Shrimp Butter
$15

Great Northern Cattle Co. Steak Tartare
Brioche, One Hour Egg, Cornichon, Capers, Bagna Cauda
$17

Sweet Basil is committed to green initiatives and environmental responsibility.
We proudly feature Natura house purified bottled water,
organic ingredients and sustainable food sources.

WWW.SWEETBASIL-VAIL.COM
ENTRÉES

Poached Maine Lobster and Lobster Coral Tagliatelle
Wild Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, Tomato Confit, Tarragon Beurre Fondue
$38

Pacific Black Cod a la Plancha
Shrimp Potstickers, Bok Choy, Green Papaya, Ginger Lemongrass Essence
$36

Grilled Loch Duart Salmon
>Crème Fraiche and Horseradish Risotto, Turnips, Orange, Mulled Wine Reduction
$35

Colorado Striped Bass
Cauliflower Puree, Caramelized Cauliflower, Caper, Raisin, Pine Nut Relish, Balsamic
$32

Pan Roasted Troyer’s Natural Chicken
Anson Mills Gold Rice, Butternut Squash, Cipollini, r>Lacinato Kale, Marcona Almonds
$32

Pan Seared Duck Breast r>Foie Gras Ravioli, Medjool Dates, Dried Pumpkin, Wild Mushrooms, Squash Puree
$38

Duo of Colorado Lamb
Grilled 8oz. T-bone and Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shank,
Chickpea Puree, Crispy Chickpeas, Sous-Vide Salsify and Carrots, Preserved Lemon
$39

Grilled Heritage Pork Chop
Chestnut Polenta, Neuskie’s Bacon, Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Pomegranate
$31

“The Steak House”
Truffle Scented Potato Puree, Creamed Spinach with Parmesan and Pernod,
Paul’s “58” Sauce, Violet Mustard

Great Northern Cattle Co. Angus Filet Mignon $39

21 Day Dry Aged Buffalo Strip Steak $45

Sides $8

Truffle Scented Potato Puree Brussels Sprouts with Neuskie’s Bacon
Creamed Spinach Bok Choy Anson Mills Rice

EXECUTIVE CHEF: PAUL ANDERS CHEF DE CUISINE: BRIAN BROUILLARD
The food...the service...was excellent.

I started with the Bone Marrow. Jen had never tried this. I think I remember Hempstead Grandma serving this. Or someone in my family eating Bone Marrow. As a child I'm sure I thought is was gross. It was something you serve to your pet.
This was nothing like my grandmother's marrow.
No wonder my dog would be my best friend after eating this.
My entree...was, forgettable. really. I forgot what I had. I'm thinking it was beef. Perhaps the special...which obviously wasn't that special or else I would remember.
We orderer Brussels sprouts for the table which are one of my new favorite vegetables again. Mini cabbages in butter and bacon. Tell me what's wrong with that ? Nothing absolutely nothing.
Jen had the pork chops that melted in your mouth.
Problem we had with dinner was that darn bartender, we can't remember his name - was so good and his cocktails quite delicious after 2 or 3 or 6 we forgot to savour our meal. MAKE NOTE...as 2girls from a bar...we understand tipping. We tipped heavily, not obnoxious. The bartender who we can't remember his name was great. He remembered everything...at a crowded bar he knew everyone's drinks. Answered questions appropriately and knew when to join in on conversation. He also knew we weren't those girls that say...we work at a bar and don't tip. We tip...he in kind did a buy back and knew we loved the blue cheese olives, like really who wouldn't. He kept the olives coming. and coming and coming.

But...the purpose of this blog is not to be "that" foodie...but to enjoy everything. Food, drink, friends, family and share it with all those that will listen.

dessert

DESSERTS $10

Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake
Milk Chocolate Earl Grey Tea Crema, Chocolate Sherbet,
Tea Infused Lemons
** 1999 Laverriere Banyuls “Clos Chatart **

Butterscotch Banana Bread Pudding
Chilled Crème Fraiche Sabayon, Butterscotch Candy,
Bruleed Bananas
**Ron Zacapa XO Rum **

Apple Tarte Tatin
Butter Caramel, Scotch Ice cream
**2006 Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes **

Goat Cheese Panna Cotta
Port Pomegranate Consommé, Butter Tuiles,
Citrus Basil Salad, Port Syrup
**NV La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti 375mL **

Hot Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake
Myers’s Rum Sauce and Whipped Cream
** 1988 Niepoort Colheita Porto**

House-made Ice Creams or Sorbets
The Daily “Spin”
$8

>** Sommelier Suggested Pairings **

Pastry Chef: Kate Button
Winter 2010



WITH DESSERT.....

PORTS, MADEIRAS, & SHERRIES
Trio of Port $18
(Taylor Tawny tasting: 10, 20, 30 years)
Taylor 10 year Tawny $10
Taylor 20 year Tawny $14
Taylor 30 year Tawny $31
2003 Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage $8
2004 Kopke ‘Quinta S. Luiz’ $14
1988 Niepoort Colheita $20
Hidalgo ‘La Gitana’ Manzanilla $9
1982 Toro Albalá Don PX $12
2004 Alvear Fino ‘En Rama’ $7
Rare Wine Co. ‘Charleston’ Sercial $12
Blandy’s “5 Year Old” Verdelho $8
Rare Wine Co. ‘Boston’ Bual $12
Rare Wine Co. ‘New York’ Malmsey $12

DESSERT WINES BY THE GLASS
2006 Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes $9
1999 Laverriere Banyuls “Clos Chatart” $9
2005 Oremus Late Harvest Tokaji $12
NV La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti 375mL $18
2000 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Vin Santo $24
2007 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine $35
1983 Château Gilette ‘Crème de Tête’ Sauternes $77

BRANDY
Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados $15
Christian Drouin Hors d’Age $20
Clear Creek Barrel Aged Apple Brandy $11
Calvados Flight: 1 oz. of all three $24
Courvoisier “Exclusif” VSOP $12
>Darroze Reserve Bas-Armagnac $19
1987 Darroze Domaine Au Martin $22
1979 Darroze Domaine De Salie $25
>Martell Cordon Bleu $23
Courvoisier XO $25

DIGESTIF r>Fernet Branca $10
St George Absinthe Vert $16
Chartreuse VEP $20 r>Grand Marnier Tasting $32
r>GRAPPA & EAU DE VIE r>Jacopo Poli Sarpa $10 r>Jacopo Poli Moscato $12 r>Marolo Camomile Grappa $13
Peak Spirits Pinot Noir Grappa $14
Sassicaia Grappa $21
F. Meyer Mirabelle Eau de Vie $12

Jen say's...desert after the meal is like the period after the sentence.
She also says it's not a meal without chocolate.

So we had chocolate...yeah we did.

I have had a few birthday's in my life. This was a great birthday. But honestly, I hate the song. I don't like singing the song, i don't like having people sing the song to me. It's long It's boring It's so totally unnecessary.
So after having a few birthday dinner's with various friends...I would give my hardest nastiest stare if someone told the restaurant it was my birthday.
Then our lovely waiter brought the hot sticky toffee pudding cake with Happy birthday written in chocolate and a candle...now it could have been the 2 or 3..or 6 cocktails, or that the waiter, Zack was lovely, or the fact that I knew i would be eating a hot sticky toffee pudding cake...they could have sang the national anthem, I didn't mind at all.

Yes...chocolate does complete me.

Part 2 of the Vail experience will follow...I am off to crown the next Miss Manhattan !!!