Waiter knowledgeable and friendly. Manager helpful. Every single dish was presented with class and tasted great. Waiter refolded napkin and was very attentive to all guests. read more

Ok who ever is not giving this place 5 stars is probably and idiot. The food, service, and drinks all top notch. We went for lunch and it was a very very very good meal and I eat out a lot and am a food snob . I don't write review unless it was good. I figure if the food and experience is bad the place is not going to survive anyway. I understand Sweet Basil is a staple of Vail and it was highly recommended by a friend who went to culinary school in Vail and also worked there at the Solana Hotel. Glad we went, family loved it and my kids who are 13 and 15 tried some new foods. We went at lunch so it was the lunch menu which I was sad about since the lamb chops are are dinner only. I had the heirloom tomato salad and steak salad. I know being double healthy. Given the name there was basil in both but really enjoyed the basil ricotta in the tomato salad. Totally makes sense but the balance was excellent, not overpowering basil. Son had the smoked mackerel tartine which had lots of flavors given mackerel is a strong fish but it was also well balanced between mackerel, smoke flavor, balsamic and micro greens. My boys figured out you needed to have all the parts in every bite and then it was best. Wife had the soba which she talked about for 48 hours. The best part was actually the calamari and shrimp appetizer. Really raving about fried calamari? Yes it was the best I have had crisp and with some added fried vegetables and a couple of fried jalapeños. There could have been a couple more shrimp in there. Desserts were also amazing and I am glad we had three. Sticky toffee pudding was DA BEST. But followed closely by the honey comb thing and takes two to mango. We were going to get ice cream and coffee somewhere else but that would have been DUMB. Glad we blew it out at Sweet Basil. Wines are excellent and by the glass well priced for the choices, you can get crazy with great wines there it is Vail so people got the cash. Lastly, I am surprised I never have had Carajillo given I travel a bit and eat a lot of nice dinners with clients. Sweet Basil's version of it in the summer was the icing on the cake for me. It was severed cold and I want of of those every afternoon! Blood pressure and diabetes be dammed! read more

Epic food, incredible service. Would love to see more vegetarian and gluten free options but overall this place was great. I had the tiger prawn scampi and opted not to do one of their enticing cocktails on account of the attitude. Definitely recommend! read more

Sweet Basil - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Great service and a warm, cozy ambiance. Food and drinks are wonderful too. Vegetarian menu is available upon request. Enjoyed dinner here with colleagues during a work trip to Vail. read more

I enjoyed everything that I had sweet basil and , some favorites of the table that I ordered. - striped bass crudo served on crispy yucca (appetizer) - Wagyu Coulette Steak with a bing cherry agrodolce (entree) - Strawberry shortcake with strawberry sorbet (dessert) All the flavors were amazing! The cherry agrodolce was a perfect addition to the steak! I recommend getting a reservation if possible! read more

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From the delectable food, to the stellar service, to the amazing atmosphere and wonderful location, Sweet Basil definitely offers a 5 star experience. We went here for dinner on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. Thankfully our concierge had made a reservation for us earlier that day. I highly recommend you make dinner reservations. From the decor and modern vibe, you may think that Sweet Basil is a new restaurant, but it's actually been around for 40 years. I'm sure some renovations took place along the way. Our waiter was very knowledgeable on his wines as well as everything on the menu. Interestingly, all entrees were priced at $25 each. We ordered the Gold Canyon Bavette Steak and the Roasted Barramundi. Both were delicious. Although, the Barramundi was tasty it is very heavy. If you are looking for a lighter option go with the Salmon as our waiter pointed out to a table next to us. For dessert, we ordered the Hot Sticky Coffee Pudding cake recommended by our waiter as a dessert that dates back to 1989 at the restaurant. The dessert was the only thing we could have done without. No one in our party of 3 was a fan. Even for the less than desirable dessert, I would still rate Sweet Basil a 5 star. read more

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Great atmosphere, great service and food was excellent. Good variety of allocated bourbons too. read more

What an amazing dining experience. We came here for a work retreat and the wait staff handled our large party with so much finesse. The ambiance was so intimate and inviting, and the food was phenomenal. I highly recommend the wagyu steak and the sticky toffee pudding cake. Absolutely phenomenal! read more

We have been here almost every year for the last 5-6 years. Normally this place is a five star experience, and just for the food I would have to say it still is. The huge disappointment this time came from the service. They didn't have any bread, but didn't offer to replace it with anything else. After waiting over an hour to get any food, they finally offered some toast that usually comes with one of the appetizers. Well, yeah...why not offer than from the start? When you're paying these prices service has to come into play, and unfortunately the service this time fell so flat. That being said, giving credit where credit is due, the food continues to be excellent, the best in vail. Hopefully the service will go back to what it should be. read more

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Scored a reservation on Tock a month in advance. Super excited for this one because my friend had told me it was her favorite Vail restaurant. We arrived 20 minutes early, but they were able to seat us. We were seated on the window side so that we could see the ice sculptures right outside! What we got: - bottle of Artemis cabernet: we loveee this wine and get it whenever we see it on the wine list. they also offered to decant the bottle for us! - carpaccio and caviar (srf wagui beef, kaluga caviar, puffed tendon, unami aioli, furikake): SO GOOD! The wagyu was, of course, very buttery, and in these thin slices, they literally MELT! Caviar was a nice little addition on top! - big kahuna tuna tartare (pineapple, macadamia nuts, yuzu curd, shiso leaf): This was certainly an interesting tartare, with thin slices of dried pineapple to add a touch of flair. Loved it. - caesar salad (sourdough, white anchovy, reggiano, hard-cooked egg): they split this for us, which we appreciated! - venison tenderloin (Black pepper, shallot & apple mostarda, parsnips, bourbon glaze): LOVED!!!! Tender, not too gamey in taste. Loved the bourbon glaze with some sweetness. - wagyu coulette steak (mushroom gyoza, charred broccoli, asian pear, gochujang glace): Also good, but definitely enjoyed the venison more. A little on the salty side, not quite as tender as the venison. - pumpkin spice cake (sarsaparilla cream, pumpkin seed crumble, maple ice cream): Gobbled this one down, ice cream and all! Great end to our date night! If you can get yourself a reservation, absolutely go for it! read more

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I've been to Sweet Basil several times in the past and I've always been a huge fan but there were some pretty big misses this time around. The caviar bump literally had zero caviar, it was a creme fraiche and chive cracker for 25 dollars each. The scallops were over sauced and too rich. The "wagyu" beef seemed more like sirloin. The carbonara ravioli and the potato bombs were just not great. The yellowtail sashimi was the best bite of the night. We were also disappointed with our waiter who was short with us and would not give any feedback on our menu questions except for "yeah, it's great." read more

If you want to ruin your son's birthday dinner, go to Sweet Basil's NOT sweet anymore. Once my fav, now . Ridiculously high prices for ridiculously TINY portions. My husband was still hungry when we arrived home. Two meals that should have been served hot were luke warm. Can't include the third dinner salad, since it was naturally cold however, the LARGE as opposed to the small salad was ordered. Not enough salad to keep a bird alive. My son ordered the pork chop. I asked the waiter to re-warm it. My son expressed concern to the waiter that if he takes the chop back to kitchen and warms it, it would become dry. The waiter was insistent. The pork chop was returned DRY. To be fair, the waiter asked my son if he'd like to try something else and my son at that point did not want to bother. My miniscule serving of gooey chicken also needed to be reheated. The three of us were dining (no, "eating") out of sinc. This event was quickly becoming a disaster. The menu was EXTREMELY LIMITED. Not even a duck dish on the menu. It had been discussed that the restaurant would bring a complimentary birthday desert, we ordered the desert along with an additional desert and were charged for both. The waiter did subtract it from the bill after I inquired. But, why did I even have to mention it? The waiter knew full well that there was a birthday at the table as he wished my son, "happy birthday ". I know times are tough and the world is rapidly changing but still Sweet Basil's had "penny pincher" written all over the restaurant. It should be noted that I'm local not a tourist passing through. Even though it should not matter to the restaurant. Word of mouth is powerful. I was charged a $75 deposit for the reservation as if we were dining at Le Circ. Ha. Disappointing all around. I was embarrassed in front of my family that I chose such an awful restaurant. Now observe, the owner or manager will respond to this review with a handful of SNARKY remarks as seems to be their common practice for anyone leaving a negative review. That alone should tell you about the restaurant. Save your time, save your money. There are so many GOOD choices in Vail... this is not one. read more

The food, was fabulous!! Hawaiian Kanpachi, yum! The service.. the best!! Thank you so much for a great night!!! read more

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Outstanding food, service and location! We were recommended to give Sweet Basil a try (from multiple folks)--- and boy were we happy we did. We arrived early and enjoyed their full service bar (fully stocked with all the best brands). But what really impressed me was the wine selection (which you walked by on your way to the dining room in the back). I didn't even have time to look through the extensive text book of wines they carried --- but it was alot! While this restaurant is definitely up scale, the entree prices were extremely reasonable. Most of the featured plates were all $25. Our table tried the pork tenderloin, seafood pasta and steak. All of them were fantastic! The dessert menu was equally as good --- with the featured chocolate dessert being the table favorite. TIP: Make your reservations early since tables fill up fast. read more

Sweet Basil - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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We sat down for lunch after 2:30 pm and supposedly they closed at three, yet we were there until nearly 4 pm and no one shooed us out. Staff was very nice, the food was delicious and artfully arranged on the plates, however there really was no value unless you take into account that in resort towns you get mostly mediocre food, or have to pay through the nose for a really good tasting meal. So I guess this place falls into the latter category! We had the octopus appetizer and a small Caesar salad. Both were very tasty as others have stated but once you add salmon the salad is $30! Obviously if I am complaining about the price I either can't afford it or just don't feel like it's worth our hard earned money. That said my small Caesar with a few white anchovies, a pile of freshly chopped hard boiled egg, shaved parm and crunchy craggy croutons was delish. The truffle fries were good however they are much crispier and all around better tasting (more flavor) at the Beaver Creek Chop House in BC. These were fine although the cheese did not cling well enough because the fries were too smooth and they were not hot enough for the finely shredded cheese to stick to them at all. The whipped feta app served with a blown up, crunchy baked dome made of carta musica dough looked great on its way to other tables and is reason enough to return to try despite the high prices! read more

Far and away our favorite restaurant at vail. Food, cocktails, service, and atmosphere are all exactly what we like. We sat at the bar two nights in a row. The second night we were surprised that the bartender recognized us despite the place being packed and him undoubtedly serving dozens (a hundred?) people each night. He was professional but warm and made a mean cocktail - he made it so fun to sit at the bar. We tried several of the small plates: octopus, tuna crudo, and whipped feta. All are something I would order again. But the cacio y pepe lasagna roll is the standout. WOW. I'd order 2 plates of that just for myself! The atmosphere is big-city-cool. It's vibey. There is nothing mountain rustic about it. Feels like you're out to dinner in NYC. read more

I want to remark on the remarkable service we have received a couple of days ago at Sweet Basil. The restaurant is beautifully set and appointed. I had the burger -- terrific burger, I highly recommend it to anyone. Some of the items on the menu seemed a bit complex -- that's a matter of taste -- I don't know about eggs on Caesar salad. I understand they are trying to be creative but I prefer traditional tried and true things. Once again -- a matter of taste! I stuck to the burger with regular fries -- perfect! Asked them to make it well done without burning it (which some places do) -- they did. The stand out, however, was the service we received. Sadly, I forget our server's name -- he was broad shouldered man with grayish hair and glasses. Wow -- what amazing service! He was friendly, engaging but not overly so -- had impeccable timing, anything we asked for -- he honored and helped us with. Also, he was very good at monitoring the room and anytime I'd raise my hand to get his attention, he notices immediately -- not the case with many if not most waiters. Absolutely impeccable perfect service. I hope they treat him really well, he did an amazing job! In these post covid times the service had gotten so bad -- it was so great and refreshing to see such impeccable service. We were very happy. read more

This is one of my friend's favorite places in Vail, so we stopped in for lunch. I had the burger and it was excellent! My friend ordered the ramen based on the recommendation of our waiter, but she really didn't like it at all. He was awesome though and took it off the bill since she barely touched it. It has a nice ambience and it looks like good outdoor seating, but we weren't able to get a spot out there. read more

Hip and modern restaurant. Our server was professional and polite. We ordered a couple of drinks, a calamari appetizer, salmon tataki, fries, and duck. This is an $$$ restaurant however the portion size is extremely small for the price you pay. The Seared Diablo Rojo Calamari was delicious. The calamari is not rubbery at all. The salmon was not very fresh because it was quite fishy despite the large amount of sauce/ sesame oil. The duck dish was disappointing in my book. You get maybe 6-7 small slices of medium raw duck on a plate of mashed sweet potatoes with chipotle rice cracker and a couple pieces of carrots, agrodolce, and dates. It felt more like an appetizer rather than an entree. Also, the combination of duck and sweet potatoes purée was heavy, not the best combo in my book. The rice cracker had no chipotle flavor. We won't be returning soon will stick with Mountain Standard. read more

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Great food and service. Food was delicious and very flavorful. A little pricey but that was what I expected for the area

I grabbed lunch to-go and it was delicious! Sweet Basil is consistently good year after year and season after season. Locally sourced when possible and inspired by the produce that's available each season in Colorado. I know some of the farmers who supply provisions to this restaurant so they really do shop local and organic when possible. Sweet Basil is the real deal. Here is my only request for the love of GOD please put a vegetarian entree on your dinner menu. You keep leaving vegetarians and vegans out in the cold. I know you hate us but please feed us. Otherwise keep being amazing! read more

If you are lucky/proactive enough to secure the res, then you are no doubt in store for something special. The dishes show creativity and many are like nothing I've had - that makes it a true experience. A highly cultivated wine by the glass list appeals to all, especially those with a defined set of skills. Service was what you expect in a restaurant that most likely allows for the highest earnings in the hospitality trade. A specific highlight was the pasta made of cacao flour - I know, right? And everything was beautiful and prepared with the highest levels of care. Word to the wise - if you go early (which may very well be your only option), then may I recommend sitting in a booth or a table close to the hostess stand. The reason why - families are going to want to sit back by the river. Love family, just saying if you aren't there with kiddos, you may enjoy requesting the front of the restaurant for earlier reservations. Enjoy. read more

Our meal was excellent but the service at the bar from Tyler really made the evening. I've eaten at lots of places all over world and he's one of the best bartender/severs I've ever seen. We started with a Caesar salad and Whipped Feta appetizer. The whipped feta appetizer was one of the most unique things we've eaten in a long time. My GF had the lamb chops and I had the pork tenderloin both were delicious. Make sure you have the sticky toffee pudding for desert, world famous. read more

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Picked this restaurant for my birthday dinner based on the reviews and pics of food that looked delicious! Turns out the menu is seasonal and none of the dishes I was hoping for were still on the menu (understandable). They sat us at a LOVELY table by the open window which was perfect with the beautiful weather. I read on their website beforehand that if you have dietary restrictions to discuss options with your waiter. I told our waiter (Dylan) I'm dairy free and asked if one of the dishes could be made without dairy and he said "not really" and then didn't bother to tell me what my options were other than that. When I asked if he could ask the kitchen if there was a substitute so I could still get the octopus he said no and that he already knew the answer. I asked what else I could order and he begrudgingly and loudly read off a couple menu items as if it were such an inconvenience to him. I ended up ordering a dish with dairy anyway because I felt shamed and hurried. Then I ordered an espresso martini without Bailey's and it was made with Bailey's and I had to send it back Happy birthday to me! read more

Amazing service, ambiance, and cuisine - Sweet Basil became one of the highlights of my group's ski trip! I was able to get a later reservation early in the ski season for my group. We stopped up front at the bar to enjoy a few cocktails and take it all in. There's an amazing wine cellar that greets as you enter - a sure sign of a good time. After moving to our table, my party ordered a couple of bottles and small plates for the table. We were over the moon with them both - crispy perfection in the Brussels sprouts, and a mind blowing whipped feta dip. I mean, I could have eaten the whole bowl of the dip myself, it was the perfect balance of creamy / tangy / spicy with a lovely pita - like bread to dip with. For my main, I splurged on the Waygu steak - and oh man, am I glad I did. It was perfectly cooked, a great portion size, and served with delicious sides; mushrooms to top are always a win in my book. I will forever recommend Sweet Basil to those staying in the area and will surely be back for another wonderful evening next time I am in town! read more

Sweet Basil - *SRF Wagyu Zabuton Steak - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Sweet Basil was highly recommended by both friends of mine who frequent Vail and Yelp, so it was my number one choice when it came to planning a recent trip. Unfortch, they were booked for dinner - no surprise during the holiday weekend - but our group was able to make lunch. Almost everyone in our group ordered the Colorado Burger ($18), but don't over look the Caesar Salad ($12)! The price was hefty compared to the light portion, but it was one of the best Caesar Salads I've had in recent years. Service was great and pretty prompt considering our semi-urgent need to make way to the airport. The lunch crowd was pretty casual and there were a lot more babies and children there than I expected, so despite the price point, I guess you could consider it family friendly. read more

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Terrific night here with husband. Good for groups as well. Service from Craig was exceptional. The whipped feta appetizer was excellent. Ahi tuna app had a bit too much of kick for me but husband really liked it. The octopus looked really good so I wish we ordered that instead. Wagyu steak was amazing.. favorite part of the meal. Lobster was delicious and cooked perfectly but didn't care for the ravioli/dumplings it came with. Pumpkin dessert was tasty. We sat in the area around the corner from the bar.. I loved that the tables weren't so close to each other but wish the back room wasn't so chilly. Looking forward to coming back for lunch. read more

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After some shopping in Vail Village, my gf and I decided to hit up Sweet Basil for lunch and some much needed vino! Yep, shopping does that. ;-) Anyway, we were starved so we both ordered and indulged in the Colorado Burger complete with queso de mano & fat tire fondue, bread & butter pickles, charred onions and of course french fries. My gf got the reg fries, but I'm a truffle fan so ordered those...yum! As for the vino, my gf settled on the Betulle Pinot Grigio, Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy 2015 and as for LL...I got the Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California 2014. Both of our burgers, fries and wine hit the spot! Sip-tacular and so delish! Bottom line...our server was excellent, the atmosphere was invigorating and the décor was warm, chic and comfortable. A really awesome spot for some Après Ski or after a shopping spree! read more

Sweet Basil - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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I thought this place would be nice but didn't expect what happened. I got there with my wife and 7 year old son and was told the only table they had was on the patio which was fine but the couple after us with there baby made dress a bit nicer and no reservations got seated inside but I was fine still didn't say anything. Then we was seat and we waited for an hour not kidding to get our dinner. The party of 4 next us got there dinner before us for some reason. I order the steak, wife salmon and son Mac and cheese. It came out and was the smallest portions I've ever seen. The waiter comp the two glasses of wine and my son Mac and cheese. The bill was still 200 with tip. If the food was prompter I would have bought dessert and let most of what happened roll off my back. I don't know if this was a one off or what but can't go back to that. read more

Craig was our server and he was fantastic and full of energy. Made the short lunch fun. The chicken salad was so delicious, with warm chicken and a nice mix of greens, including broccoli and some nuts. The pork lettuce wrap plate was so difficult to eat -- the filling was overflowing making it difficult to pick up the lettuce wrap without everything falling everywhere -- but it was well seasoned and balanced. Lovely space in the back of the restaurant. Nice view of the water. read more

Disappointed. Three things are lacking: service, food quality and preparation, and price. The server never checked on us, not even for water, much less other drinks. We had to flag her down. No one ever checked on our food either and we had under cooked chicken, which was raw in the middle. We had to ask to get it taken off the bill. One person ate it, thinking it just wasn't very good and didn't want to complain. No apology or remediation was offered. For the money, it was not worth the effort. In Vail, you have to make a non refundable deposit to get a reservation. I wanted to get the review in because it was such a waste of money. read more

we have been coming to Sweet Basil for many years. it just keeps getting better. Shawn our waiter was superb. Melissa at the hostess stand is fantastic. you can't go wrong dining here. Enjoy read more

We were anticipating this experience all week after learning that Mountain Standard was owned by the same group. We were greeted well, coat check friendly, food runners amazing, and then service was poor. We waited 15 minutes to be greeted by our server, ~30minutes to get our appetizer and bread, no offer for an additional cocktail or glass of wine, another 25 minutes to be served , & then our server never returned to see if we liked our meal. Our Beet Risotto was fresh $27- overpriced for a vegan meal ; steak tartare -$17, worth every penny , & the Sea Bream $34 which was a true highlight. Overall, the wait time and lack of an attentive server , it just wouldn't be a place we would rush back. Vail is filled with amazing places to dine, so being disappointed, won't draw us back! read more

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Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant and I must say, the food was truly outstanding. It was one of the best dining experiences I have had in a very long time. The dishes were flavorful, well-presented, and delicious. However, I must admit that our waiter left a little something to be desired. He was a bit inattentive and had a rather dry personality which detracted from the overall dining experience. When we asked for recommendations, he wasn't really able to provide us with any helpful insights, which was a bit disappointing. The drinks took an extremely long time to come out as well which was also disappointing. In conclusion, I would recommend this restaurant for its fantastic food, but be aware that the service may not be the best. If you're looking for a great meal, I would definitely suggest giving this place a try. Just be prepared for a waiter that may not add much to your dining experience. Definitely order the foi grass. read more

Sweet Basil is a New American restaurant located in Vail Village. You can find some modern dishes in a very warm inviting space. The restaurant name is misleading, as this is NOT a Thai or Asian Fusion restaurant. In fact, I didn't even see the basil used in any of the ingredients. My Overall Rating - 3 Stars (Atmosphere, Food, Return) Atmosphere - Upon entering and taking a few steps up, you'll be greeted to a nice, modern, well-lit bar. Definitely a welcome site for weary skiers looking for that après ski cocktail. The restaurant itself is quite small, with main dining in the back and a few tables in the front. The tables are pretty close, and have a unique look that there are no table cloth. But the contemporary look & feel certainly match the menu. 1 Star. Service - If you plan to dine here, make sure you make reservations. It's small so it can get busy. Luckily the bar is a nice stop for walk-ins willing to wait. Our service was unfortunately rushed & slow at the same time. I know this statement contradicts itself, but when we arrived, our server rushed to get our drink menu, then disappeared for a long time. When she returned, she then rushed us to place our order, then again disappeared for a long time. Not sure if it was because they were busy, but this is a nice restaurant so I expected better. No Star. Food - As I stated before, this is NOT an Asian Restaurant. That being said, it is an excellent New American restaurant. The lobster & crab sopes were a home run to start. Chunks of lobster, crab, onion, & cream over a sope (corn patty) was delicious. The Seafood Fritto was a great appetizer to share as well. Then again, it's hard not to like fried food. The Parmesan Truffle fries were light & crispy with a hint of truffle oil, and the burgers were massive with excellent bread. The Duck Confit Cassoulet was good but not great. The duck and ham hock complimented each other well, but the beans seemed a little undercooked for my tastes. But hey, you're getting some incredible dishes here. 1 1/2 Star. Will I Return? - Probably. Despite the super slow/rushed service, the menu is progressive and the dishes are quality. Now, it is a little pricey but we ARE in Vail. Yes, Sweet Basil may be worth a return visit. 1/2 Star. My Yelp Rating Scale (Sum of all parts): 1 Star - Atmosphere - Is it a cool dive? Perhaps an upscale place? No matter the type, atmosphere plays a big part and I'll give a star if I like it or thinks it has great charm. 1 Star - Service - You can have a great meal with bad service. But that's also what can make a five star joint drop to four. It's important to the dining experience that service is great and on point. 2 Stars - Food - I'll award up to two stars for the food, since this is the main reason we dine out. Sometimes the extra star is given for value, but it's really all about the food. 1 Star - Will I come back? - If I know for a fact I'll return, I'll give this a star. A place has to make an impression for me to return. Each Category can be given up to 1 star except food (2 stars) because I consider all these categories important to the overall dining experience. I will sum them up to provide my final Yelp score. read more

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My dad and I visited Sweet Basil during our first night in Vail solely because my uncle worked here in the late 70s/early 80s. What my dad did not know, however, was that over the past decade or two, this has become the "it" spot in Vail. I looked at the menu online beforehand and I could easily see why--creative, elegant, diverse and of course, expensive. Unlike a lot of overhyped places, Sweet Basil completely lived up to expectations. While we knew of Sweet Basil long before our trip here, we didn't make a reservation. It IS possible to get a table/eat here without one, but it may require some waiting. One little pearl of wisdom we received from a local was that Sweet Basil has a zero tolerance no-show/egregious tardiness policy. When we showed up here, we were anticipating eating at the bar, as their was an hour wait for a table (they allow this). The food gods had a different plan in store for us, however. After about 15 minutes, the hostess informed us that there was, in fact, a no show! Right place, right time. Off to a good start. My tip if you come without a reservation: arrive on the earlier side. It fills up quite a bit around 8 or so. First off: drinks. Hard to go wrong here. I'm used to cocktails in NYC, so these weren't as highbrow as I'm used to (go ahead, judge away). That said, I thoroughly enjoyed both of my drinks here. For the health nut, go for the What's Up Doc? (Vodka, Yellow Chartreuse, Coriander, Lime, Carrot Juice, Bitters). Semi-sweet, light and a touch of spice. Perfect to start off the night. I also tried the Alpinist, which is up there with some of the ultimate winter drinks: Sage Infused Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Vermouth, Peach Vanilla Cordial. Sultry, boozy and a bit herbaceous. The star of the night (as one would hope...) was the masterfully executed food. Obviously, we had to share. It's hard to dine with me without being pressured to share. Just the way I'm wired. Everything we had was its own brand of flavorful/special/creative/scrumptious. Even the entrees here are conducive to sharing (you get multiple slices of protein X in just about everything), so this worked out well. We got: Salmon Tataki (Soy Caramel + Tempura Avocado + Sesame Puffed Rice + Mustard Seed) - A+++ What a superb dish to start a meal off! Just wow. If you look at my picture, you can see how beautifully prepared this was. I was impressed with the presentation...until I tried it. THEN I was impressed. I'm very into the whole diversity of flavors/textures thing (is that even a "thing"?), but not if its excessive. In this dish, each ingredient had its place, and all contributed to quite the well-rounded, complex taste. There's a hint of spice here (maybe the mustard seed?) but nothing that'll prompt you to start downing water after each bite. We all know raw salmon and avocado go well together--the puffed rice just made it a next-level experience. Just a subtle crunch--yum. Buffalo Tartar (Parmesan + Horseradish + Pine Nuts + Egg Jam + Brioche) - A I would say the "least best" but still really damn good. Again, great first impression with the presentation (see image). The buffalo was light and fluffy and paired wonderfully with the mild parmesan. Again, you've got some subtle spice with horseradish, subtle crunch with the pine nuts and brioche, and some nice creaminess from the egg. Dat execution tho. Ahi with Wild Mushrooms (Pine Dashi + Soba Noodles + Lemongrass Chili Condiment) - A+ We got to enjoy some more Japanese flavors with this gorgeous tuna dish--looking back at the night, we unwittingly ordered ourselves quite the balanced meal. I'd say this is one of the lighter entrees on the menu, but it still manages to be bold and flavorful, as everything else here is. Nothing superfluous about the broth here--they pour it over the tuna when it's served and makes the whole plate cozy/comfy. Pan Roasted Duck Breast ("Farrotto" + Brussels Sprouts + Preserved Huckleberries + Soubise) - A+++ My dad and I were both fawning over this dish long after the meal ended. The sidekicks were almost better than the duck. Don't get me wrong, the duck was perfectly cooked and super flavorful, but the other components more than held their own. This dish was hearty and warming--perfect for a snowy winter night. A hint of sweetness is always a welcome addition most duck preparations, in my humble opinion, and the huckleberries were just that. It's hard to pick a favorite of the night, but this just might've been it. Lastly, I need to dole out some high praise to our wonderful waitress. She was so sweet and personable, it caught me off guard at first. Perhaps this is because I'm so used to service i New York, which can be on the brusque side at times. Regardless, she was efficient/chatty-but-not-too-chatty/informative and any other positive adjective you could think of to describe a server. Sweet Basil just exudes class in every area--the five star rating was a no-brainer. We definitely did my uncle proud. read more

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We had an amazing birthday celebration meal here. Everything we ordered was outstanding including the wine that was selected for us. If I am ever in Vail again I am definitely having another meal here read more

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Our family loves coming to Sweet Basil when we visit Vail. The ambience is perfect. The view in the back is absolutely peaceful. Reserving was very easy. The service, of course, is excellent. Our foods comes out so fresh and delicious. I highly recommend this place for families, celebrations and small group events. You won't be disappointed. read more

My husband gave it 4.5 stars, I gave it 5. The whipped feta with the chili sauce melts in your mouth. Servings are on the smaller side, which we like but others might not. My crispy chicken with the avocado was unique and delicious! read more

Sweet Basil - Whipped Feta - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Feta cheese is must. The cracker is crisp and fun to crack with a spoon. The pork chops were juicy and the lamb was tender. The peaches were definitely a great addition with the pork chops. Overall, enjoyed the ambience and great selection of wine! read more

Sweet Basil - Pork chops and *Colorado Lamb Tagine - New American Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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