Zach's Cabin was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The evening began with the…read moresleigh ride up the mountain, which was incredibly smooth and cozy. They provided blankets so everyone could stay warm, and the ride itself gave us the chance to relax and take in the beautiful views on the way up, it really set the tone for the night. Once we arrived, the food completely stole the show. I was a bit unsure what to order, so our waiter asked what I would normally choose if anything was available. I mentioned that I usually go for a steak but prefer it without fatty cuts. He recommended the elk, and I am so glad I trusted his suggestion. It was absolutely phenomenal! So tender it quite literally melted in my mouth, and the flavor profile was rich, balanced, and beautifully prepared. We also ordered the Brussels sprouts au gratin, which were perfection- creamy, flavorful, and the ideal side to complement the elk. We enjoyed some champagne with dinner, which made the whole experience feel even more celebratory. To finish, we had an apple crisp dessert with toffee, and it was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Warm, comforting, and just the right amount of sweetness. Between the scenic sleigh ride, the incredible food, and the thoughtful service, Zach's Cabin is truly a special dining experience. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting the Avon/Vail area and who is willing to splurge on a perfect dining experience.

The "sleigh" ride up was good, they could improve by cleaning the seats of snow and having the…read more"blankets" (jackets?) kept in an area from the elements (it was snowing at the time, who knew?). Excellent meal, no complaints and great service.

We were really looking forward to our meal at Swiss Chalet, but it ended up being such a…read moredisappointing experience that we kept talking about it for days afterward--unfortunately not in a good way. The cheese fondue was not what we expected at all. I've had fondue several times in the past, but it was nothing like what I've had before. The one we ordered--supposedly the mildest option on the menu according to our server--was overwhelmingly pungent, and the sour note completely threw us off. The meat fondue was also underwhelming. The flame was too low, and the meat pieces were large and thick, so they took forever to cook, which made the whole experience feel slow and frustrating. The interior and concept are cute, but the food simply didn't live up to the price or the hype. I wouldn't recommend this place.

Swiss Chalet fondue night was less "charming Alpine experience" and more "hostage situation with…read morecheese." Let's start with the ambiance: if you've ever wondered what it would be like to stare into bubbling hot oil while questioning life choices, congratulations--this is your place. At one point the oil literally splattered into my eye. Nothing like being physically assaulted by your dinner to really set the mood. But wait... it gets better. Somewhere between dodging flying grease and trying to figure out whether I was supposed to cook my food or sacrifice it to the fondue gods, we discovered a $50 cakeage fee... ...on a cake we ordered THROUGH the restaurant. I cannot overstate how ridiculous that is. It's like buying a car and being charged a "sitting fee" for using the seats. We think we eventually got the charge removed, but only after negotiations that felt like reenacting the end of World War II. Diplomats probably reached peace treaties faster than we got our check corrected. So if you're looking for an adrenaline-filled dining adventure featuring potential eye injuries, baffling fees, and negotiations worthy of a military strategist... Swiss Chalet is absolutely for you. If you're looking for a relaxing fondue dinner? Run.

Great service. Chase was really attentive and great to talk to. We loved the heirloom beet salad,…read morehowever, it was split for 2. We weren't asked if we wanted it split - this made it $25, which was not worth it. I opted for the table side cacio e pepe which was super cheesey and also had delicious pork belly blended in. My husband had the burger which was 2 larger patties combined - we only wished it could've been cooked more medium rare because the flavor of the meat had so much potential! We weren't hungry for dessert but the table next to us got a unique mason jar dessert that looked like it was packed with chocolatey goodness. This restaurant is inside the Westin, and you can park in the garage and get your ticket validated.

Came here for a family dinner after a day of skiing. Overall the service was amazing, the food was…read moregreat, and the vibe was quiet but elegant. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful with providing recommendations. We started off with the bread and fondue. The fondue was a big hit with our table, and the cheese was so tasty. The bread was also good, and had a nice unique taste. For mains I tried some of the following: -steak frites: delicious and cooked perfectly, and a huge portion of delicious fries -mussels: definitely a miss, and tasted a bit too salty and the sizes were pretty inconsistent -filet: amazing -mushroom ravioli: absolutely horrible, literally the worst ravioli I've ever had -cacio e pepe: sooo tasty, but tastes was more like carbonara vs a traditional cacio e pepe. I liked the presentation and really loved the pork too. I would definitely recommend sticking with the meats here, as the pasta and seafood were major misses (except the cacio e Pepe was amazing) Overall a solid option for a nicer meal, but not the greatest place ever.

A really lovely experience in Vail. The Austrian ambiance is over the top on just the right way,…read moreand it fits in with Vail's faux-Alp atmosphere quite well. The food was also delicious. I tried the porcini mushroom soup with truffle dumplings and all of it was delicious and savory and warm, and even served with a delightful carnation on the side! For the main course I tried the pork shank (Schweinsaxon?) and the meat was fall off the bone good. The mashed potatoes were tasty but the sauerkraut was truly phenomenal. It's not a bargain meal, but it's not nearly as expensive as it could be, being tucked into Vail and visited by a very wealthy cadre of visitors. The service was also great. I commented on one of the waitstaff's steampunk goggles and he asked if I wanted to try them on for a photo op. I declined, but laughed at the invitation. All our questions were answered with politeness and ease, and I was quickly taken care of when I asked to buy a slice of cake on the way out. Would love to make this an annual December visit tradition.

I want to give kudos for a very friendly, attentive staff. However, the cheese fondue dinner was a…read morecomplete disappointment. The amount of fondue was absolutely paltry, especially given it was supposed to serve two people and cost $80. We had a nearly full basket of bread remaining after eating all the cheese. They also provided boiled potatoes and blanched vegetables to dip in the cheese along with dried fruit but that only made the meager cheese situation worse. It was more appetizer sized and even the fondue itself was bland and lackluster with no flavors of kirsch, wine, or other seasonings. We had to go somewhere else to actually get dinner. I appreciate the waiter discounting our meal to try and make up for it. The portions of the other entrees looked good so maybe go here for those and skip the fondue.

Exceptional experience at the Drunken Goat! We loved the free wine tasting--such a fun and…read morethoughtful way to explore their selection. There was a small miscommunication with the wine we wanted from the tasting, but the way the staff handled it truly set them apart. Their customer service was exceptional--they responded quickly, were incredibly friendly, and even allowed us to come back and exchange the wine for the one we originally wanted with no hassle at all. That level of customer service is rare and so appreciated. Add in great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a fantastic wine selection, and this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend and can't wait to return!

In search of a delicious bite that is out of the ordinary? Come visit the Drunken Goat in Edward's,…read moreCo. I had the Truffle Egg salad Bruschetta. Asparagus with a side of Avocado! My daughter had a Poke bowl. The wine choices are delicious for a discerning palate.

For reference my 5 star experience was in the gondola. Highly recommend doing this though while in…read moreVail! Definitely felt like I was back in a Switzerland ski town! The gondola is cool because we had our own speak to play whatever we pleased! It felt very private and intimate which I really enjoyed. I loved the decor throughout the restaurant and our gondola had cute little touches as well. For example they had a coo coo clock that when off every hour. For drinks I tried their feuerzangenbowle and the muled wine. My husband got a Hugo spritz and jagertee. I loved my drinks the feuerzangenbowle uses flambé which was so cool!, it's pretty similar to the muled wine. Muled wine is always a favorite of mine when the weather gets cold! Our server was awesome and super attentive. He answered any questions we had and was very friendly. The gondolas have a set menu we ended up ordering more that was on the set menu since I wanted fondue and my husband wanted the raclette. We added on a fondue, ordered the raclette that came on our fixed menu and added on steak, along with the pretzel that comes as an appetizer. The food was really good, I think it is also just so cozy and suiting for the cold weather! Fondue and raclette are also just such a fun way to dine! Highly recommend and definitely will be back just to try the standard experience too without the gondola.

Server Diego was great! Kind of tight seating on the patio but we loved it. Alpenrose Pilsner in…read morethe big mug was perfect for our meal. The feuerzangenbowle is a fun, warm drink with mulled wine and they will light the rum-soaked sugar cube. Slightly limited on options if you don't eat pork but you will find something like the salad with chicken schnitzel to get your schnitzel fix. The spätzle that came with the pork schnitzel was amazing. This was a fun place to come and on our next trip to Vail would like to try the apple strudel dessert that I did not have room for this time.

Blown away by French Alpine Bistro. Absolutely stunning charm - intimate, dark, and very European…read morefeeling. The staff was so accommodating and welcoming even when we didn't have reservations. For food, we got the fondue for the table with potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, apples, schnitzel, and crusty bread. The cocktail we got was called the Pink Panther and it was not only beautiful, but also delicious. It was such a fun dinner experience. The entrees looked amazing and the menu was vast. Overall, I'd go back here in a heartbeat, it was fantastic!

My wife took me here because we love the decor and the "feel" of the restaurant. The menu also…read morelooked really good. Since we were only stopping by for a drink and a quick bite we sat at the bar. BIG MISTAKE. The bar looks in on the kitchen and it was incredibly messy. Not, "busy night and organized chaos" messy but scraps of food and wrappers everywhere on the floor messy. To their credit someone was actively cleaning but at one point she was cleaning next to the prep table and pulled out an obviously old container with mystery sauce in it and showed it to the cooks as if to say "whoa, how long was this back here!?!?" The whole experience was pretty gross so we cut it short and left. Sadly very underwhelming

Mountain Standard has always been our go-to on ski trips. We never skip this place when we come to…read moreVail, and this time, we even made it twice - once for lunch and once for dinner. Dinner reservations are available 30 days out on Open Table, and they go instantly. I heard them quote 2+ hours for walk-ins, so definitely plan ahead if you can! Cocktails: I've always loved their cocktails, so even if you don't have dinner here, you should at least check out the bar. I've never been disappointed in any drink I've gotten. Dinner: - Butternut baba ganoush: all the flavors of baba ganoush but with butternut squash, and the warm pita was great - Fire roasted tomato and chorizo soup: a bit on the thinner side, smoky, interesting - Buttermilk sea salt biscuit: rich, flaky, with extra butter, country ham, and red pepper jelly - Warm pimento cheese: I don't usually care for pimento, but their's is great with grilled bread. They also use this on their burger at lunch - Wood grilled octopus: nice wood fire flavor, great ham hock beans underneath, grilled avocado - Crispy brussels sprouts: interesting flavor with the grilled avocado sikil pak - Wood fired pork chop: tender, generously sized - Grilled cobia: wonderful warming pineapple coconut curry, charred pineapple, and fresnos for a kick - Seafood diavolo: very flavorful (my dad found it too salty), served over polenta Lunch items: - Fresh catch: Argentenian shrimp and polenta - like shrimp and grits, very flavorful - Grilled cheese and soup: always a good combo - Burger: we added the onion rings, which had a good kick to them They also had a really solid kids' menu, which I appreciate. Despite how busy they are, service is attentive, and the manager came by personally to check in, which was a nice touch. Food and drink pacing was also good despite it being packed. They have their system down! There's a reason why we keep coming back trip after trip!

We were seated quickly and the staff was excellent. Our server, Kylie, was amazing. She was…read morefriendly, gave food and drink suggestions, discussed ingredients and what to expect from the flavors, and made us feel welcome. Other employees helped with service, including clearing plates and inquiring if we needed anything. The restaurant is definitely number one at customer service and I loved how everyone worked together. Even though the restaurant was busy, we did not feel lost in the shuffle. It was clean and inviting. They offered an array of choices, so there would be something for everyone if you decide to dine here. The food was good, preparation and display were done carefully, but the taste was overall just ok. The appetizers we chose were Warm Pimento Cheese, which was mildly flavorful, but good, and Prime Beef Carne Apache, which had no flavor at all. The main courses we chose included a pork dish and a chicken dish. The chicken had great flavor, but was placed on a bed of potato wedges which were not all completely cooked through. We felt this took away from the overall dish. The accompanied sauce made with yogurt and poppyseed did not add any flavor to the dish. The pork dish had great flavor. The drinks accompanying the food were made well and tasty. The kids menu has an array of choices as well, and our choice of macaroni and cheese was a hit! We ended with a frozen snicker bar dessert that tasted exactly like a frozen snickers bar. Overall, we had a very nice evening and would definitely visit again.

11/10 experience at Juniper! This was the best dining experience we've had this trip! My husband…read morecleaned every single plate. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the owner (who was working as the host!) and we felt that he paid great attention to detail. He even let us pick where we wanted to sit! Our favorite appetizer was the pork belly - so much flavor with the squash and apple. I loved the vegetarian dish - lions mane mushrooms with vegan cheese and shaved veggies. We will be back soon!

We came here for Christmas dinner on the recommendation of a coworker. We were staying in Vail and…read moredecided to leave the village in hopes of, if not saving money, finding food that was a better value for the expense. Unfortunately, we didn't find it at Juniper. We walked in and there was no "Merry Christmas" or "happy holidays" or really any welcome whatsoever. We were then led to a high top that was next to a temporary wall, so it was a bit cold. I will never understand why restaurants that charge $45-$75 for an entre will sit people at a high top - this is Uncomfortable. Women in heels do not want to try to find a place for their feet. Also, there was no reason for it - it wasn't saving space. It could have just been a regular table. The service was lacking, to say the least. The menu doesn't have a lot of descriptions, including important information about size of beef portions, but the server didn't provide this information until asked. Even the $100 wagyu special made NO mention of the fact that it was 5oz and only one raviolo (though the menu said 'ravioli') - we didn't order this anyway. We ordered the duck confit pizza ($30), pork chop entre ($50), brussels sprout salad ($20), side order of crab cakes ($25), and side order of potato croquettes ($16). The duck pizza was decent but for $30, the crust was rather flavorless - if the crust was a chewy, charred sourdough, this would have been perfect. At least the duck was good. It was a sizeable portion, so if you're only 2 people and you order this, I would not order another app. The pork chop was a properly sized entree with tasty sides. It was cooked well and the only complaint we had was that the bacon really took away from the flavor. The menu did say bacon, so it wasn't a surprise, but it was unnecessary to the plate. The brussels sprout salad for $20 a bit of a disappointment. It was small and overly vinegary. There were 5 small cubes of butternut squash that could have just been boiled. It's a salad, so I'm not expecting fireworks, but like, do something different? The crabcakes were - as the server pointed out - very small. They tasted great and came with a small frisee salad, and the preparation was good but wow, so small. Not worth $25. The potato croquettes were the biggest disappointment. They were four TINY pomme dauphines that barely had potato in them - if you pressed on them, they entirely compressed. Do not order this. And then, we get the bill, and the Bombay martini I ordered was $24.50. The same martini in Vail Village cost me $20 the night before (and the same martini at a comparable place in Denver would have been $18). The other cocktails were $18, so I really can't imagine why this drink would be 30%+ more. Overall, I can't say I'd recommend this place. Just go to Vail and have dinner - at least then, you won't be annoyed at the cost.

Great place with very good food. Menu is limited but that's usually a good thing in my opinion…read more This is a Michelin acknowledged place, but food was not as spectacular as I would have thought. Still very good though. Lively and loud bar but most hotspot bars are. Restaurant Reservations especially on a weekend or special event required, I'd say. Service was prompt, attentive and professional. Would I go back? For sure

The sommelier might have been a little too enthusiastic (or maybe I was ), but the rest of the food…read moredefinitely made up for it. Highlight of the night: the chicken nugget with caviar. Yes, you read that right--and it was actually amazing. Such a fun, unexpected combo that somehow worked perfectly. Between the laughs, good company, and some standout dishes, it ended up being a really enjoyable night. Would I go back? Probably--for those nuggets alone!