Off the main lobby lounge of Aspen's top hotel, Element 47 is the latest gourmet incarnation of The Little Nell dining room. A reputation honed from the days of Montagna, Element 47 is a more modern dining experience rooted in seasonal cuisine and farm-to-table ingredients. Through a dapper lounge bar echoed in ebony woods and exquisite stone countertop, the main dining room is penned by the architects behind NYC's The Modern and Le Bernadin. They create a glam all-day eatery embossed in rich steel detailing with local quarried stone, exotic wood and glass wine wall home to one of Aspen's finest wine cellars. If given the option go for the booths, a comfy perch after days of skiing and enjoying the impressive in-house art collection curated Paula Crown whose family also happens to own the Aspen Skiing Company and The Little Nell.
The Food
New American cuisine builds upon seasonal, often local Colorado ingredients selected by Chef Matt Zubrod. The result is a dinner that begins with an impressive mixology selection of Kentucky Mule or Hot Toddy. Starters include butter-aged short ribs with poached egg, or charred octopus as well as larger shareable selections of charcuterie platter and steak tartare. Pasta course yields appetizer or entrée size egg yolk raviolo and lobster tagliatelle. Main course is divided evely between land and sea with standout options of antelope loin with sunchokes, dry-aged duck breat with parsnips and vegetarian selections of tofu with mole or cauliflower steak.
Last Word
Awarded Little Nell dining room offers all-day dining with dressier dinner serving ala carte and prix-fixe menu options.
