Snow may be falling in Montana, but there's still a shred of summer left in Colorado. Kelly Liken, chef/owner of her namesake restaurant in Vail, and Top Chef alum, is keeping her popular Sunday Harvest Dinners going through early October, and you won't find a better deal in ski country. For just $49 (not counting booze), Liken and her staff shop the Vail farmers market every Sunday, come up with a 3-course menu, and post it to Twitter. Diners can choose between two first courses and three second courses (including a vegetarian option,) and dessert. At 8:30, live jazz turns the restaurant into the hottest spot in town.
Curbed Ski recently stopped by on a Sunday and enjoyed dishes like Colorado Striped Bass with charred tomato coulis, zucchini fritters with a seriously decadent Olathe corn pudding, and a surprising- and surprisingly good- finale of poached Palisade nectarines with fresh, tangy curds from Jumpin' Good Goat Dairy, housemade puff pastry, and honey cream. And please don't miss the newest addition to the seasonal cocktail menu, the Colorado Campfire. The combination of ice cubes cold-smoked with fruit wood (trust us), muddled grilled peaches, and Breckenridge Bourbon infused with pine nuts is like crack in a low-ball glass. Look for a fall version made with apples, coming soon.
· Kelly Liken [Official Site]
· The 18 Best Hot Spots for Vail Eating & Drinking [Curbed Ski Archives]
· Top Chef Kelly Liken Dishes on Where to Eat This Winter in Vail [Curbed Ski Archives]