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ENLARGE
The bar at the Minturn Country club fills up early Wednesday with customers waiting for a table during a crowded $2.99 night.
Living in a resort town has just one downside: the dent it puts in your wallet.
So said Lisa Keller and Gina Crabadon, friends who are accustomed to surviving Vail on a budget.
But tonight, they are sipping wine at Russell’s, a chic eatery on Bridge Street, where they indulged in the Rocky Mountain Trout and Steak Diane.
The friends are cashing in on an off-season deal that promises a pair of half-priced entrees with a bottle of wine on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
And they are treating themselves to a meal they say they could never afford during ski season, without the discount.
“It allows us to splurge on decadent food,” said Crabadon, a 35-year-old West Vail resident.
All across the valley, restaurants are trotting out their off-season specials, giving foodies the chance to sample gourmet meals at deliciously skimpy prices.
As in past years, the lull between summer and the slopes’ opening Nov. 16 has triggered an exodus of tourists — and a dry spell for valley eateries.
To keep business flowing, restaurants are unveiling discounts geared toward locals. Half-priced entrees, drink specials and multi-course meals for cheap are among the offerings. So with check totals dropping faster than charges against O.J. Simpson, area residents are abandoning their kitchens and breaking for their local watering holes.
Like at The Gashouse in Edwards, which was packed Tuesday night with locals sampling the $19.95 dinner specials, a choice of lobster tail, filet mignon and Cajun shrimp or elk tenderloin, wild boar sausage and quail.
“This time of year, I can walk around and I personally know 75 percent of the tables,” owner Andy Guy said.
Locals say the discounts are symbolic of the sense of community that emerges during the off-season.
“We’re treated better. We get better discounts. And we support each other,” said Kari Koehler, 35, owner of Vail Valley Printing and Graphics in Avon.
For locals, the off-season is a time to scout deals. Singletree residents Mary Abbett, 63, and Bob Kinsey, 70, enjoyed half-priced beef tenderloin entrees at The French Press in Edwards after spotting an ad for the discount in the newspaper.
Yet for restauranteurs, the off-season is beset with challenges. Eateries that hug skiing mountains and rely on foot traffic from tourists must get creative to stay afloat. Chris Lloyd, manager of the Ore House in Vail, said he hopes half-priced entrees at the restaurant will attract locals who have fled Vail for nearby towns in the valley.
Some eateries simply shut down. Robyn Love, who owns G’day Mate Pies in Avon, plans to take a two-week breather next month before opening another store in Vail.
“It’s the only time for the owners to have a break,” she said.
Read on for our round-up of off-season specials.
So said Lisa Keller and Gina Crabadon, friends who are accustomed to surviving Vail on a budget.
But tonight, they are sipping wine at Russell’s, a chic eatery on Bridge Street, where they indulged in the Rocky Mountain Trout and Steak Diane.
The friends are cashing in on an off-season deal that promises a pair of half-priced entrees with a bottle of wine on Tuesdays through Thursdays.
And they are treating themselves to a meal they say they could never afford during ski season, without the discount.
“It allows us to splurge on decadent food,” said Crabadon, a 35-year-old West Vail resident.
All across the valley, restaurants are trotting out their off-season specials, giving foodies the chance to sample gourmet meals at deliciously skimpy prices.
As in past years, the lull between summer and the slopes’ opening Nov. 16 has triggered an exodus of tourists — and a dry spell for valley eateries.
To keep business flowing, restaurants are unveiling discounts geared toward locals. Half-priced entrees, drink specials and multi-course meals for cheap are among the offerings. So with check totals dropping faster than charges against O.J. Simpson, area residents are abandoning their kitchens and breaking for their local watering holes.
Like at The Gashouse in Edwards, which was packed Tuesday night with locals sampling the $19.95 dinner specials, a choice of lobster tail, filet mignon and Cajun shrimp or elk tenderloin, wild boar sausage and quail.
“This time of year, I can walk around and I personally know 75 percent of the tables,” owner Andy Guy said.
Locals say the discounts are symbolic of the sense of community that emerges during the off-season.
“We’re treated better. We get better discounts. And we support each other,” said Kari Koehler, 35, owner of Vail Valley Printing and Graphics in Avon.
For locals, the off-season is a time to scout deals. Singletree residents Mary Abbett, 63, and Bob Kinsey, 70, enjoyed half-priced beef tenderloin entrees at The French Press in Edwards after spotting an ad for the discount in the newspaper.
Yet for restauranteurs, the off-season is beset with challenges. Eateries that hug skiing mountains and rely on foot traffic from tourists must get creative to stay afloat. Chris Lloyd, manager of the Ore House in Vail, said he hopes half-priced entrees at the restaurant will attract locals who have fled Vail for nearby towns in the valley.
Some eateries simply shut down. Robyn Love, who owns G’day Mate Pies in Avon, plans to take a two-week breather next month before opening another store in Vail.
“It’s the only time for the owners to have a break,” she said.
Read on for our round-up of off-season specials.
EDWARDS
n Dish Restaurant, 56 Edwards Village Blvd., 926-3433: Six courses for $25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Hours of special extended starting Oct. 2.n Eat! Drink!, 56 Edwards Village Blvd., 926-1393: Cheap date night on Tuesdays is $25 for a bottle of wine and cheese platter; Saturday night fondu for two at $40.
n The French Press, 34295 Highway 6 in Riverwalk, 926-4740: Fifty percent off dinner entrees excluding the lamb.
n Frite’s, 27 Main St., 926-2151: Three-course dinner special with choice of three price brackets ranging from $18.95 to about $25.95. Bottomless glass of wine is $15. Bottomless glass of beer for $10.
n The Gashouse, 34185 Highway 6, 926-2896: $19.95 filet mignon, lobster tail and Cajun shrimp or elk tenderloin, grilled quail and wild boar sausage.
n Gore Range Brewery, 0105 Edwards Village Blvd., Building H, 926-2739: Drink specials 10 p.m. until close include $1.50 drafts, $2 Bud and Bud Lights, $4 glasses of wine and $4 selected shots.
n Juniper, 97 Main St., 1st and main building, 926-7001: Fifty percent off entrees from Monday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 27.
n Main St. Grill, 97 Main St., 926-2729: Two for one dinner entrees, must mention ad; late night happy hour is half-priced drafts, wells and wines.
n Ray’s Restaurant, 56 Edwards Village Blvd., unit 120, 926-7480: Thirty percent off entrees beginning Oct. 1.
n Vista at Arrowhead, 676 Sawatch Drive, 926-2111: Twenty five percent off entrees if seated before 6 p.m.
BEAVER CREEK
n Bivans, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, 50 W. Thomas, 949-1234: Three courses for $32.n Blue Moose, 76 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek, 845-8666: Slice of cheese or slice of pepperoni and draft beer for $5 during happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.
n Coyote Café, 45 West Thomas Place, 845-9030: Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. $5 pitchers of Bud or Bud Light.
n Grouse Mountain Grill, 141 Scott Hill Road, 949-0805: Three courses for around $35.
n Mirabelle Restaurant, 55 Village Road, 949-7728: three courses for $35 starting Oct. 2.
n Rocks Modern Grill, 26 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek Lodge, 845-1730: Monday night beer and a burger for $8.99; Tuesday through Friday free tapas with purchase of drink at bar; two for one entrees.
n Splendido, 17 Chateau Lane, 845-8808: Small plates of regular menu for $6 to $18; Eight wines by the glass at $5 to $8; Four-course fall tasting menu at $35, starting Wednesday Oct. 3.
n TraMonti, 120 Offerson Road, inside The Charter, 949-5552: Fifty percent off entrees and pastas with exception of osso buco, which is 25 percent off.
EAGLE
n Bowlmor Café and Sports Lounge, 0050 Chambers Ave., 328-2695: Sundays are Scor Mor date night for $35 per couple. You get choice of two entrees, bottle of house wine or pitcher of domestic beer, two games and two pairs of shoes.
AVON
n Agave, 1060 W. Beaver Creek Blvd, 748-8666: Monday margarita madness, free margarita with every dinner purchased for adults, through mid-November.n Masato’s, 240 Chapel Place, 949-0330: $13 dinner entrees.
n Narayan’s Thai Restaurant, 48 E Beaver Creek Blvd., 748-0835: Fifty percent off second dinner entrée per table.
n Zacca Za!, 0101 Fawcett Road, 748-4848: Fifty percent off all bottled wine beginning Sunday, Sept. 30.
EAGLE-VAIL
n Paddy’s Sports Bar & Grill, 40801 US Hwy 6 24, 949-6093: Noon to 6 p.m. ultimate margarita and mai tai $5, fish tacos are $8.95.n Ti Amo, 40928 US Hwy 6 24, 845-8153: For every two entrees purchased, you get a complimentary carafe of house chianti, choice of Caesar or Mista salad or soup di journo with dinner.
MINTURN
n The Minturn Saloon, 146 N. Main St., 827-5954: Free liter of margaritas with purchase of two dinner entrees.n Minturn Country Club, 131 Main St. 827-4114: Plans another $2.99 night within the next three weeks. Eight-ounce New York Strip with unlimited salad bar and bread is $12.95.
WEST VAIL
n Bagali’s, 2211 Frontage Road, 479-9242: $5 beer and pizza slice or two slices and a soda, every day until 4 p.m.n Blue Tiger, 1310 Westhaven Drive, 476-1115: Thursday local’s night 50 percent off food, drink specials.
n Chap’s, 1300 Westhaven Drive, (866) 666-3341: Two-for-one entrees.
n May Palace, 2109 N. Frontage Road West, 476-1657: 15 percent off entire bill.
n Nozawa Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen, 2211 N. Frontage Rd. W., 476-9355: Fifty percent off sushi rolls; 25 percent off entrees.
n Sandbar, 2161 N. Frontage Road, 476-4314: $2 tacos on Tuesdays, $7 wraps on the weekends.
LIONSHEAD
n Billy’s Island Grill, 610 West Lionshead Circle, 476-8811: Thirty percent off all entrees (except lobster) and all bottles of wine.n Montauk Seafood Grill, 549 E. Lionshead Circle, 476-2601: Tuesdays half off any item that has crab; Wednesday half off Ketel One martini and raw bar; Next few weeks every night is $21.95 pound lobsters; starting two weeks from now three courses for $33.
VAIL
n Alpenrose, 100 E. Meadow Dr., Suite 25, 476-8899: A pair of entrees are 50 percent off with a bottle of wine, through the end of October.n Bighorn Bistro, 4695 Meadow Drive, 479-7864: All entrees $10, all night, Sept. 30 through Oct. 14. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
n Blu’s, 193 E. Gore Creek Drive, 476-3113: Three-course $15 restricted menu, $30 three course meal off the menu.
n Bully Ranch, 20 Vail Road, 476-5460: Through mid-November, the restaurant is doing a Fall Rollback Menu, where lunch and dinner prices are rolled back to what they were 20 years ago.
n Campo de Fiori, 100 E. Meadow Drive, 476-8994: Three-course dinner for $34 Tuesday through Saturday.
n La Bottega, 100 E. Meadow Drive, 476-0280: Saturday, Sept. 29 features 25 percent off food.
n La Tour, 122 E. Meadow Drive, 476-4403: Fifty percent off entrees starting Sunday; $35 three-course Colorado-inspired meal on Sundays; three-course mushroom meal for $35 on Mondays.
n Lancelot, 201 E. Gore Creek Dr., 476-5828: Fifty percent off entrees for two people with a bottle of wine, through Oct. 7.
n Larkspur, 458 Vail Valley Drive in the Golden Peak Lodge, 479-8050: Three courses for $35 and 50 percent off all bottles of wine, through Oct. 11.
n Left Bank Restaurant, 183 Gore Creek Drive, 476-3696: Blackboard special Monday through Saturday is appetizers starting at $5 and entrees starting at $15.
n Los Amigos, Top of Bridge Street, 476-5847: $5.95 lunch specials, Wednesday through Friday.
n Ludwig’s, 20 Vail Road, 476-5656: Three-course chef selected dinner for $40. Extensive breakfast buffet featuring NY Times, coffee and wireless Internet for $14.95 (normally $29). Specials start early October, run through mid-November.
n Ore House, 232 Bridge St., 476-5100: Fifty percent off entrees Sunday through Thursday; seven nights a week starting in October.
n Restaurant Kelly Liken, 12 Vail Rd., Suite 100, 479-0175: Fifty percent off all food and 50 percent off selected wine and cocktails, Oct. 1 through mid-November.
n Russell’s, 228 Bridge St., 476-6700: A pair of entrees are 50 percent off with a bottle of wine Tuesday through Thursday, through Oct. 20.
n Sweet Basil, 193 E. Gore Creek Drive, 476-0125: Starting Oct. 1. Monday through Friday lunch entrees are $9.95; every night three courses for $37.
n Swiss Chalet, 20 Vail Road, 479-5429: Dinner for two is $58.
n Terra Bistro, 352 E. Meadow Drive, 476-6836: Fifty percent off dinner entrees starting Monday Oct. 1. Roughly half priced appetizers during “Appy Hour” from 5 to 6 p.m. and drink specials.
n Up the Creek, 223 Gore Creek Drive, 476-8141: Five-course chef tasting is $41 per person.
n Vendetta’s, 291 Bridge St., 476-5070: Thirty percent off entrees Sunday through Thursday. Bud light, Fat Tire $2.50, Stella Drafts $3.50.
n Wildflower, 174 E. Gore Creek Drive, 476-5011: Three-course dinner for two is $81.50; lunch for $9.95; Monday nights bottles of wine are 50 percent off with proof of employment in the hospitality industry. Deals through end of October.
