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Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resort: Old West Elegance, Modern Amenities, Great Food, and Legendary Hospitality in the Heart of Aspen, Colorado

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

At the foot of majestic Aspen Mountain and steps from the heart of town, the Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resort, offers guests an incomparable setting for an ideal getaway whatever the season. A classic example of thoughtful historic preservation, the hotel, whose main building dates back to 1889 elegantly blends the comfort, convenience and understated luxury of today’s finest Aspen boutique hotels with an authentic mountain aesthetic and spirit. Enjoy world-class dining and spa offerings, with quintessential Auberge hospitality and service. I love the timeless elegance, character, warmth and charm of the impeccably restored and maintained hotel, the excellent hospitality Auberge Resorts are known for, and the stunning artwork and perfect blend of contemporary and antique art and furnishings.

The cozy Living Room is everyone’s “home away from home” in Aspen, a favorite spot for cocktails and conversation, one of the most iconic and beautiful lounges anywhere!

Hotel Jerome has a small, private pool and garden adjacent to the “al fresco” dining area at Prospect.

The “al fresco” dining area at Prospect.

Showcasing fresh ingredients from local farmers, ranches, and artisanal producers, Hotel Jerome’s inspired cuisine is sure to delight and even surprise you! Enjoy delicious modern-bistro fare at Prospect, summer dining on the terrace, après-ski in the Living Room or indulge at Aspen’s iconic J-Bar for an authentic Old Western Saloon surprise with what many consider the best burger in town! And don’t miss Hotel Jerome’s Food of Place series created exclusively for hotel guests and inspired by local culture and traditions. The hotel features a variety of special culinary events with Executive Chef Rob Zack, wine tastings with resident Wine Director and pastry classes. A must try is the locally-raised Flat Iron Steak from 7X Ranch, the tastiest steak around!

Enjoying Breakfast in Prospect

The entire property has been completely renovated and no detail has been overlooked. The public spaces and restaurants feature a blend of regional, contemporary and vintage artwork and antique furnishings, and all rooms and suites have been recently renovated with exquisite custom furnishings and exclusive commissioned artwork, and feature state-of-the-art amenities and technology.

The property also features a spa and fully-equipped fitness center, and is located steps from the downtown hub of Aspen, which is home to excellent shopping and dining, and is several blocks from the John Denver Sanctuary and a short distance from the ski lift.

Hotel Jerome

330 East Main Street
Aspen, CO
970.920.1000

Posted in Destinations | Tagged aspen, auberge, burger, colorado, flat iron steak, hotel jerome, j-bar, living room, prospect | Comments Off

The Little Nell: An Intimate, Luxurious Gourmet’s Mountain Retreat: Golden Palate® Relais & Chateaux in Aspen, Colorado

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

The Little Nell and their restaurants, Ajax Tavern and Element 47 in the heart of Aspen, Colorado right next to the ski lift at the base of Ajax (Aspen Mountain) have been named the newest Golden Palates!

The picturesque, private pool area.

The chic, yet intimate lounge at The Little Nell.

At The Little Nell, the slopes are literally at your backdoor! This is the closest hotel to the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain.

The Little Nell is Aspen’s only five star, five diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, featuring deluxe accommodations, après-ski, and award-winning wine program (20,000 bottles) & excellent cuisine at Element 47 (named for Silver, which helped put Aspen on the map). The city of Aspen is right outside the door, Aspen Mountain at the back door, yet The Little Nell is slightly removed from the bustle of the heart of town which is just a couple blocks away.

The Little Nell opened in 1989 and quickly became one of the most fashionable, refined hotels in the United States. The hotel was built on the site of a funky ski-bum bar by the same name, at the foot of the slope of Aspen Mountain where the original mine shaft had been dug back in 1879. One passionate miner nicknamed the mine “Little Nell” after a “Lady of the Night” who caught his fancy. The hotel has been completely renovated by renowned interior designer, Holly Hunt.

The Little Nell is a lovely, exclusive spot, both serene and lively, your new luxe mountain hideaway, a gathering place for the free-spirited. The Little Nell, a Relais & Châteaux property, a group known for excellent, refined hospitality in intimate settings is a year-round destination hotel. The Little Nell is dog-friendly as well, so your four-legged family member can happily join you on your adventures in Aspen! Staying, enjoying cocktails, and dining here is a party, reminiscent of the very best ski resorts in Europe, catering to sophisticated, well-traveled guests from around the world. The scene reminds me of the work of the late contemporary American artist Leroy Neiman, who depicted some of the most famous cafe’s, bars, and social settings in the world in colorful, dramatic fashion. The hotel caters to active, discerning guests and knows how to throw a party–look for free-flowing Verve Cliquot somewhere on the slopes of Aspen Mountain on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (the hotel posts clues as to the location on its social media), a rewarding treasure hunt for grown-ups!

Locally-made Burrata topped with pesto, edible art at Ajax Tavern.

#Theartofplating: luscious local Duck Breast at Element 47.

Lunch at Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell, one of the most important restaurants in town, especially popular because of great food and its location adjacent to the Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Mountain, a favorite for aprés ski libations and dining! If you are looking for a refined, yet relaxing stay in Aspen, The Little Nell is a great choice, as are both restaurants, Ajax Tavern, for more casual dining and Element 47 for fine dining at night, as well as breakfast and lunch in the beautiful garden overlooking the pool!

The Little Nell

675 E. Durant Ave.

Aspen, CO 81611
970.920.4600

Posted in Destinations | Tagged ajax tavern, aspen, colorado, element 47, relais chateaux, the little nell | Comments Off

The St. Regis Aspen: Signature St. Regis Service and Amenities in Aspen, Colorado

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

The St. Regis, Aspen is a contemporary version of a Gilded Age mountainside manor which provides an uncompromising base for connoisseurs of fine food and wine, culture and adventure seekers. Located just steps from Aspen’s signature slopes and featuring premier amenities and signature St. Regis service, this can easily become a favorite tradition for a getaway in any season.

I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Chef’s Club Aspen, a venture between The St. Regis Aspen and Food and Wine Magazine. Food and Wine names top nationwide chefs each year, and several of these chefs come to the Chef’s Club in Aspen (also in NYC) to create signature items for the menu. The Colorado Lamb Rack is brought to Chef’s Club by Chef Zoi Antonitsas, who was born and raised in Seattle and operates the acclaimed Westwood in Seattle, showcasing her signature cuisine which highlights her travels in Europe, most notably Greece, combined with local products. Also enjoy contemporary Italian cuisine, breakfast, and brunch in Trecento Quindici Decano, a favorite spot for Aspenites and visitors for the famous “bottomless Bloody Mary or Mimosa” Sunday Brunch!

Sipping a “Red Snapper” (The St. Regis’ signature cocktail or Bloody Mary, which was created at the New York location in the 1920’s!)

St. Regis Aspen

315 E. Dean St.

Aspen, CO 81611
970.920.3300

Posted in Destinations | Tagged aspen, colorado, st. regis | Comments Off

Recipe: “Cacio e Pepe” by Chef Vincenzo Betulia (Osteria Tulia/Bar Tulia) in Naples, FL

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

Cacio e Pepe

Serves 6

Total cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2 lbs dried bucatini, (preferably a high-quality artisan brand, such as Giuseppe Cocco, Alfeltra)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter (about ¼ stick)
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp fresh black pepper, coarsely ground
3½ cups Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated (approximately 8 oz)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to package directions.

Reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water and carefully ladle into a large sauté pan.

Strain the cooked pasta into a colander.

In the pan with pasta water on high heat, add the butter, olive oil, and a few good twists of fresh black pepper.

Once the water is boiling, add the strained pasta to the pan and allow it to get very hot.

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the grated Pecorino Romano, while stirring well until the cheese has melted and forms a creamy sauce.

Season with salt, if needed, and serve with additional cheese and more cracked black pepper.

Posted in Fred Bollaci on Dining, Pastas and Sauces | Tagged cacio e pepe, florida, naples, osteria tulia, pasta, vincenzo betulia | Comments Off

Recipe: Eggplant Pie by Trattoria Romana in Boca Raton, FL

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Fred Bollaci

Recipe courtesy of Trattoria Romana and featured in “The Restaurant Diet”

Trattoria Romana’s Eggplant pie

6 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 medium eggplant, peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thick

1 ½ quarts marinara sauce

3/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Canola oil, for frying

1 Using a large, shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with salt and pepper, to taste.

2 Using a large, shallow bowl, season flour with salt and pepper, to taste.

3 Using a large saucepan, heat 1 half-inch oil to 350 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels, set aside. Dredge eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip eggplant in egg wash. Working in batches, fry eggplant until golden brown, drain on prepared baking sheet, adding more oil as needed.

4 Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Place a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Cover with a thin overlapping layer of eggplant. Top with a thin layer of marinara and sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano. Repeat the process with remaining eggplant.

5 Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil, top with mozzarella and bake 5 minutes. To serve, cut into wedges.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 478 calories, 41% calories from fat, 22 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 170 mg cholesterol, 49 g carbohydrates, 23 g protein, 1186 mg sodium, 8 g fiber