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Vail’s new bar, The Remedy, serves elevated comfort food in a modern space

Katie Coakley
Daily Correspondent
A peek inside The Remedy shows a bustling crowd at the grand opening party at the Four Seasons' remodeled bar in Vail on July 2.
Townsend Bessent | Townsend@vaildaily.com |

If you go ...

What: The Remedy Bar

Where: One Vail Road, Vail. Inside the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail.

Price range: Apps and shared plates from $5 to $24; entrees from $12 to $44.

Ambiance: Hip and modern.

Hours: Open at 3 p.m. daily until midnight on Sundays through Thursdays and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

Reservations: No.

Good to know: Happy hours are every day from 5 to 6 p.m. There are also daily specials. Mondays are industry nights for locals from 8 to 11 p.m., featuring $2.50 Colorado draft/$8 cocktails and a DJ spinning tunes.

Must try:

• Spicy tuna huarache: ahi tuna, sriracha aioli, pickled jalapeño served on a corn masa crisp, $16.

• The Remedy burger (comes in a single, double or triple). 7x Beef, grilled red onions, lettuce, tomato, pickle, cure all sauce, cheddar, fries, $12, $15, $18.

• Luca Bruno’s fabulous foie gras pizza: foie gras, pear, gorgonzola, port reduction, $24.

More information: Call 970-477-8600 or visit http://www.fourseasons.com/vail/dining/lounges/the_remedy_bar.

In a town that is proud of its nightlife scene and apres opportunities, the opening of a new bar offers a chance to break out the nice (read: clean) Carhartts and eschew flip flops for an evening to do some reconnaissance. In the case of The Remedy, the new bar at the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail, it was an occasion to go all out — after all, the folks at the Four Seasons certainly did.

For last week’s grand opening celebrations, guests were treated to complimentary cocktails and samples from the new menu in the form of passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations in various locations. The west lounge area was cleared of seating to make room for a dance floor, with beats provided by Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys. People flowed from the bar to the patio, enjoying the fire pits and catching up with friends. There were even a few famous athletes on hand, mixing and mingling because Vail is home for them, too.

The event was a huge success, providing an encouraging beginning for the renovated bar and area in the Four Seasons lobby. The feel is what you would expect a 21st century apothecary shop might be. The square bar is made of zinc, creating a shiny centerpiece that now invites the eye to travel through the floor to ceiling windows to the views of Vail mountain. Tables of walnut are interspersed with industrial elements and stone, creating an eclectic atmosphere that is still clean and modern.



It’s a beautiful redesign of the old lobby bar, which seemed rather dark and neglected to highlight the spectacular views which are now front and center in the new space. The flow is also improved, with several different spaces in which to relax and socialize.

POTIONS, ELIXIRS AND CONCOCTIONS

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The menu expands upon this concept, with the drink menu offering up “potions” and “elixirs” as well as an extensive list of spirits for those who prefer their remedies on the straight side. Be sure to sample one of the “elixirs,” like the Medicine Cabinet on draft, which is one of the signature drinks; the “potions” are classic cocktails, like an Old Fashioned. The beverage menu also includes an extensive wine list, craft beer choices and an expansive whiskey selection, highlighted by the Apres Whiskey Cart where tableside cocktails will be made to order by the Doctor of Drinks.

The Remedy’s menu focuses on “concoctions”: small plates, which are designed for sharing. The food is served on custom “trees,” which elevate the portions vertically. In addition to creating an interesting design element, those dining have more room on the table.

“We created the menu so that you can order several things, such as our steak verde pizza, spicy tuna huarache and the cheese ball and share it all,” said Executive Chef Kevin Erving. “Seasonally, we will change our menu to incorporate the freshest, local ingredients, but this will be our menu throughout the summer.”

Be sure to sample at least one of the pizzas: The flatbread base is perfectly chewy, providing the ideal vehicle for the toppings, which range from goat cheese to hoisin barbecue duck to foie gras, making for some interesting, yet supremely tasty bites. Other must-trys include Grandma Dane’s cheeseball and the “doctor’s orders”: chicken liver pate with peach marmalade and pistachios. The menu is filled with what could be described as elevated comfort food, if your mom was prone to serving pork belly and pate.

Attracting locals

It’s clear that The Remedy is striving to become a destination not only for guests, but for locals as well. With a daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and daily specials that claim to “remedy your week,” and an industry specific night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Mondays, it seems as if the programming is trying to provide an entrée to a space that might have, in the past, been reserved for well-heeled guests.

Creating an atmosphere that welcomes locals is important for business, said Four Seasons Vail Director of Sales and Marketing Scott Gubrud.

“If we can be successful with the locals, then we’ll be successful in general for our guests,” Gubrud said. “We tried to create a space and elements that will attract locals, but also be conscious of the fact that you can’t be priced out of the market. That’s why we’re also featuring promotions and specials, like the Monday night local hospitality nights, that are dedicated to locals.”

Whether you’re recovering from an epic bike ride or simply wanting to catch up with friends after a day at work, stop into The Remedy to share a few small plates and sample from the extensive beverage menu — it’s sure to cure what ails you.


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