Food. For some it's a means to an end, providing the nourishment needed to make it through the day. For others, food is a vehicle that drives conversations and builds relationships. It's the perfect catalyst to enhance any experience, especially après ski where it food fits into both of these categories. There, dishes like chili bowls, nachos, burgers and more fill our bodies with welcoming sustenance after our stores have been exhausted from a day of shredding. And, when ordered with a group food like this is comfort that encourages sharing and sparks further conversation. It is reasons like these that have prompted ski resorts and their surrounding restaurants and bars to elevate their fare to mountain heights. While some of these places are just producing good, down home comfort food others, like the High West Saloon in Park City, Utah making dishes so tasty that they have been recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist. Food so good that it will make your mouth water just looking at it. Lucky for you guys I was able to hold off from devouring each meal just long enough to snap a photo and with that, here is first All About Après' first list of my favorite après ski foods from the 2018-2019 ski season.
Pickle Brined Chicken Wings
High West Saloon - Park City, Utah
Doused in a mouthwatering garlic and sriracha glaze yet still nice and crispy, if these wings aren't the best that I've ever had, they are damn close.
Battered Eggplant Fries
Cuzzins Bar & Grill - Mount Snow, Vermont
Battered in a secret mixture then fried to crispy perfection, these guys are sneaky good so you better order two servings. Trust me, they'll disappear quicker than you can say eggplant.
Truffle Fries
The 10th - Vail, Colorado
Two doses of truffly goodness and a healthy amount of parmesan make these the best fries and quite possibly the best dish that I have ever eaten.
Bison Tartar
Game Creek Restaurant - Vail, Colorado
Anything topped with a runny quail egg and accompanied by, what the server described as, a dusting of manchego snow needs to be on a list of foodie favorites.
Mac and Cheese
Vermont Country Deli - Mount Snow Base Lodge
Walk through the Mount Snow base lodge and it is hard to miss the smell of macaroni and cheese wafting from the vats they are being served from. Take your pick. From standard to pulled pork to buffalo chicken each and every variety is decadently delicious.
Bacon and Blue Cheese Nachos
Allie's Cabin - Beaver Creek, Colorado
A contrast in textures between the soft and creamy blue cheese and crunch of the bacon and house made potato chips will have you reaching for every last bit of this shi shi take on Irish nachos.
Coriander Tuna
Maya BC - The Westin Riverfront, Avon, Colorado
If I were on the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate it would be tough to choose between this dish and the aforementioned Truffle Fries. Seared rare, the crust of the coriander contrasts the soft tuna perfectly, while the chorizo on the side adds a nice fatty salty balance to the dish.
Da Pabst Burger
Valley View Saloon - West Dover, Vermont
Approved by and bearing the name of The Dan Patrick show's producer, Paul Pabst, this juicy burger is a crowd pleaser. The perfect combination of salty ham and spicy jalapenos topped with melty pepper jack cheese, it's simply mouthwatering. Add a little ranch dressing to cool things down a bit and give it another depth of flavor.
Taos Savory Crepe
7 Hermits Brewing - Vail Village Location
Order this goliath of a crepe at any point in the day but late night, the combination of pulled chicken, multiple cheeses and avocado will satisfy your cravings. I suggest adding bacon too, just because you can.
