Hi all-

We are looking for a "casual elegant" restaurant in Vail or nearby (Beaver Creek, Edwards). We've already booked Sweet Basil's one night on the recommendation of a local. His other suggestions (Larkspur and Splendido) sound great but may be more than we want to spend.

We are open to any type of cuisine. We'd like to spend about $20 to $30 per entree-- probably about $50 - $60 total per person. Thanks!

Jane

Yoru local contact gives good dining suggestions. Sweet Basil, Larkspur and Splendido are very good.

Look at Mirabelle and Grouse Mountain Grill in Beaver Creek.

In Vail, consider Wildflower or Terra Bistro.

I can't think of any "casually elegant" restaurants in Edwards, only casual.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look into those places. Any others out there??

Hi:
If you want a wonderful restaurant, try Sam's in Edwards. Elegant but casual with nice jazz-sometimes live- in the background. If you dont have a car you can taxi there. We use High MOuntaMike

Also worth looking into, but also maybe above your goal price range, is The Left Bank, in Vail. They have great foie gras! Good, but more in the "nice casual," rather than casually elegant, is Blu's, also in Vail. Of variable quality, in the nice casual category, is Campo di Fiori. But if you decide you could stretch your price range, I'd choose Larkspur or The Left Bank!

Great-- thanks for all of the suggestions! Looks like I have some research to do.

Anyone know anything about Sapphire Restaurant and Oyster Bar? It just came up in my own search but just wondering if anyone had any first hand experience?

Jane

Vail local here.
Larkspur & Splendido are excellent suggestions but are also some of our more pricey choices.
When are you visiting? Many local restaurants have fab local deals until ski season opens. 2 for 1 dinners w/purchase of bottle of wine, etc.
Some of my casual, but more on the elegant side choices are:
Juniper (Edwards) Grouse Mountain Grill (Beaver Creek) La Tour or Terra Bistro (Vail) Keep in mind, everything here in a ski town is casual> it's the elegant word that throws a curve, ha ha1!

On my last trip to Vail we had 3 GREAT meals at the CHAPS GRILL AND CHOPHOUSE in the Vail Cascade hotel.
http://www.vailcascade.com/chaps.html

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to talk it over with the family and see what sounds the most appealing. Maybe I can convince them to splurge and head to Larkspur anyway!

We are headed there over Christmas week so I wanted to get an early start on deciding on some dinner reservations. I figure it will be pretty busy there over the holidays!

Jane

Hi everyone--

I thought I would just post a restaurant report from our trip. We ended up going to Sweet Basil and Terra Bistro. Both were great but I'd have to give the edge to Terra Bistro. The food was delicious, service friendly, and the dining room was warm and inviting. We did also enjoy Sweet Basil but did not care for their desserts. Thanks again for all of your help!

Jane