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Between the fresh powder blanketing the slopes and the sparkle of the celebrity sightings, it’s easy to see why Aspen is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Throw in the James Bond-themed opening festivities for Aspen Kitchen and you have a recipe for a NYE to remember.
Those in the know will line up come December 31st for the grand opening of Aspen Kitchen by David Burke Group (referred to as simply “Aspen Kitchen”), the long-awaited restaurant from the powerhouse restaurant group known for blending whimsy and innovation. (The project began in early 2014 and was held up in court battles.) Now, patrons will finally be able to enjoy the beautiful new farm-to-table restaurant (helmed by executive chef Matthew O’Neill), as well as the Rec Room, the basement-level nightclub below. Both are kicking off their openings with glitzy, Bond-themed celebrations. The only hard part is deciding which party to attend.
Those looking for an early evening should opt for the 007 party kickoff: A three-course dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Aspen Kitchen, complete with a Bollinger Champagne toast, for $195 a person. The second Aspen Kitchen option—a smorgasbord of passed hors d’oeuvres including oysters and caviar, black truffle deviled eggs, foie gras push pops, bottomless Champagne, and specialty Bond martinis—kicks of at 9:30 p.m. and costs $500 a person.
The third option takes place at the Rec Room nightclub downstairs, where $550 gets you into the vinyl record-lined club for bottomless Bollinger, 007 shots, and special guests DJ Calco, Amy Sacco, and DJ Win Butler (of Arcade Fire). No matter which option you choose, you’re sure to have a golden time ringing in the New Year at Aspen Kitchen.
515 Hopkins Ave., Aspen, 970-300-4525. Click here to purchase event tickets.