What's cooking
Longtime Aspen chef Manny Diaz and his wife, Mod, recently opened Mod’s Thai House in Old Town Basalt. Traditional Asian flavors get a local and sustainable bent thanks to the use of local produce and compostable takeaway containers. Look for signature dishes like red curry duck breast and a zingy green papaya salad with cherry tomatoes, green beans, carrot, peanuts and spicy lime dressing. ModsThaiHouse.com
Tanuki To Go chefs and longtime Aspenites Jonathan Leichliter and Adam Norwig have more than 50 years of cooking experience between them. When they opened their alleyway takeaway joint behind Bootsy Bellows (they operate out of the bar’s kitchen) last winter, they hit the ground running with a novel spin on late-night eats: The playful menu is a mash-up of Asian and Southern flavors and techniques, resulting in dishes such as “Sexy Lady Boy Shrimp & Cheesy Grits” with tamarind, curry and Andouille sausage and “San Tori Chinese Chicken & Waffles.” Along with General Manager (and Leichliter’s wife) Kirra, the team offers a fun dining experience; for a real insider’s-eye view, book the Chef ’s Table, which features a nightly omakase menu. In early summer, House of the Rising Tanuki-San, a collaboration with Bootsy Bellows, will serve creative libations and patio dining. TanukiToGo.com
The Snowmass Club’s Black Saddle Bar & Grille is now open to the public and under the helm of a new executive chef, Bryan Nelson (formerly of Pacifica Seafood and Raw Bar). Featuring extended hours (including breakfast, lunch and a light early dinner) and a revamped menu, guests can partake of healthier options such as smoked Colorado trout salad with avocado, egg, arugula and chia seeds, and regional produce sourced by Paonia’s Farm Runners. SnowmassClub.com
Propaganda Pie, the forthcoming venture from Slow Groovin’ BBQ’s Ryan Vinciguerra and business partners Steve Horner and Nial O’Connor, is poised to do for Redstone what brisket and pulled pork did for Marble. Located in the former Crystal Club, the casual eatery will feature yard games, riverside seating, local booze and brews (including Marble Distilling Co., Elevation Beer Co. and Outer Range Brewing Co.) and local ingredients, paired up with several different styles of pizza. Facebook.com/SlowGroovinBBQ
Aspen Public House will open this summer in the former Justice Snow’s location at the Wheeler Opera House and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Owner Bill Johnson was chosen by a selection committee over 11 other applicants; the owner of Willit’s buzzing Capitol Creek Brewery plans to serve a similar menu of gastropub fare (with healthy options such as hearty salads) and beer on tap.
