Kentucky Derby Parties

Saturday marks the 149th Kentucky Derby. The “most exciting two minutes in sports” is surrounded by long-standing traditions that date back to the first race held in 1875. KentuckyDerby.com, the official website of the Run for the Roses, calls it a “celebration of Southern culture” and a “true icon of Americana.”  

Locally, you can dust off that seer-sucker suit, hat or fascinator and strut your style at a party. The pandemic has squelched some of the public gatherings the past few years, but the party is revving up at the Fitz at Manor Vail where the Children’s Garden of Learning preschool is hosting its fundraiser once again.

“We’ve had so many parents asking if this event was coming back and we are happy to invite everyone to join us on Saturday and encourage them to dress up,” said Nicole Teaver, director of education at Children’s Garden of Learning.

The Vail-based nonprofit relies on donations in many forms from parents, alumni and the greater Vail community. The Vail Derby Party allows those with kids or without a chance to enjoy the event in a fun setting while raising money for childcare.

“Although this event benefits our school, we want it to be a party for the whole community,” Teaver said.

The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and the horse race begins at 4:57 p.m. Tickets are $75 and include two drink tickets for beer or wine and heavy appetizers. There will be a bourbon tasting station set up as well. Before and after the horse race, enjoy tunes from Dave Tucker.

There are also silent auction items ranging from skis to gift cards and wine to a bracelet-making party with Squash Blossom and tickets to a Notre Dame versus Pittsburgh football game. Place your bets on the betting board for your chance to win, but more importantly, all proceeds from that game will go toward Children’s Garden of Learning.

Children’s Garden of Learning provides care for kids aged 18 months to 5 years old.

“What we’re seeing right now is a huge need for childcare. To give parents the opportunity to still work and provide these services is a big deal for us and fundraisers like this allow Children’s Garden of Learning to continue to do that,” Teaver said.  

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and you can purchase them at the door if it is not sold out, so it’s best to get your tickets in advance.  

There will also be a Kentucky Derby Party at the 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company’s Tasting Room on Bridge Street. The festivities will kick off at 2 p.m. and derby attire is highly encouraged. You can even get a free mint julip if you dress in your best derby wear. Stick around after the race and enjoy live music with Chuck Grossman and Brent Gordon.

If you plan to watch the Kentucky Derby at home and want to make your own mint julip, here’s a recipe. According to KentuckyDerby.com, over 120,000 mint julips will be served at Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at the race venue, Churchill Downs.

Perfect Mint Julip

• Fresh mint
• Crushed ice (crushed ice works better than cubed ice)
• Woodford Reserve, Bardstown, Maker’s Mark or Michter’s bourbon
• Sugar cubes, straight sugar or simple syrup

Put four or five mint leaves in the bottom of a glass and muddle the leaves with a muddle stick, Add half an ounce of simple syrup or sugar to the leaves and muddle some more. Add two-and-a-half ounces of bourbon. Add crushed ice until the glass gets frosty then garnish with a leaf or two of mint and serve cold. If you have a pewter, silver, copper or aluminum cup, serve the mint julip in that.  

Serve your mint julip with dishes like the famous Hot Brown open-faced sandwich, bourbon meatballs or pretty much anything with Vidalia onions.  

Cinco de Mayo

We checked with several of the area’s Mexican restaurants to see what’s going on for Cinco de Mayo. Margs, tacos, even flautas, pozole and menudo will be on special up and down the valley. Please note that Los Amigos, El Sabor and El Segundo in Vail are closed this time of year. But, El Segundo invites you to its Eagle location for the fun, bites and drinks. El Segundo in downtown Eagle Ranch will be serving up its Herradura house margaritas for $5. Stop by for good vibes, this deal will be running all day long.

In Vail, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences is offering specials at the Remedy Bar for Cinco de Mayo. Get a taco and a Mexican beer for $23 or a taco and margarita for $30. How does a carne asada taco with grilled flank steak, corn tortillas and smoked tomato salsa sound?

In Minturn, head to The Mexican Bar & Grill for 2-for-1 house margaritas for $6.99 and draft beer for $5. They’ve been busy in the kitchen making flautas, pozole and menudo so take advantage of these specials.

Agave in Avon is hosting a Cinco de Mayo party on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. with food and drink specials. Enjoy $2 al pastor tacos, $3 chicken, elote and mahi mahi tacos, $3 select draft beers, $4 Modelo Especial beers and $5 house margaritas. There will be live music as well. From 3 to 5 p.m. come to the meet and greet with Pedro the Donkey, Agave’s mascot. If you can’t make it to Agave, here’s the recipe that you can make at home:

Agave’s Coconut Margarita

• 1.5-ounce coconut tequila
• .5-ounce Cointreau
• .5-ounce fresh lime
• .25 agave nectar
• 1.5-ounce sweet sour mix
• .5 coconut water

Also in Avon, stop by Sabor Mazatlan for 2-for-1 margaritas. You get to pick the size and pick the flavor, so go big.

Fiesta Jalisco in Avon is going to be doing drink specials all day long.

As a reminder, Maya is no longer the restaurant in the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon. Stoke and Rye, also a Richard Sandoval restaurant, took over the space last June. But, if you find yourself there, they have plenty of tequilas to try. The Pasado de Moda cocktail is very popular featuring Casamigos reposado along with mezcal, agave and hellfire bitters.

Since 1989, Fiesta’s Café & Cantina in Edwards has been bringing the fiesta and this Friday will be no different. Stop by for food and drink specials and stick around for giveaways, piñata breaking for the kids all day and a DJ will start spinning tunes at 5 p.m. Save room for one of my favorites, the shrimp enchiladas on blue corn tortillas, and other great items on the menu.

Although not typically thought of as a place to grab a margarita, the Riverwalk Theater in Edwards does serve up the frozen kind for $8 on the patio, so, you don’t even have to go to the movies to enjoy this treat while supplies last.

In Eagle, once again you have El Segundo and the specials mentioned above, and you can also stop by Casa Mexico next to the Back Bowl. It’s fiesta time and Casa Mexico is offering 2-for-1 margaritas and micheladas – any kind, any size, any flavor, all day.

This is just a partial list, so stop by your favorite Mexican restaurant and see if they are doing any deals. Salud!

Community Pride Highway Cleanup

Now that the snow has melted, the trash is being revealed along the roadways, so it is time for the spring ritual, the Community Pride Highway Cleanup, which happens this Saturday. The Eagle River Watershed Council has been busy organizing teams and assigning miles of roadways for an event that has been going on for over two decades. Every year, hundreds of volunteers participate in the county-wide effort.

The time commitment is only a few hours in the morning on Saturday. From 9 a.m. until noon volunteers will collect as much trash as possible. When this event first started, nearly 50 tons of trash had accumulated and was removed. Now, an average of 10-15 tons of trash is removed annually, so each year does make a difference and you’ll see that difference on Sunday, the day after the cleanup, and how nice it looks alongside the roadways.

This is a great way to give back to the community and the results are tangible, you will see a difference and you can be filled with pride knowing that just by showing up, you helped make Eagle County more beautiful than it already is.

Volunteer registration is required so go to ERWC.org for more information. They can assign you to a team and even a certain geographical area if you want. The areas include:

• Red Cliff/Minturn/Vail
• EagleVail/Avon/Edwards
• Wolcott/Red Canyon/Eagle
• Gypsum/Dotsero/Colorado River Road

Moving Mountains for Marc

Since 1996, the Vail Valley Charitable Fund has provided locals with financial help during medical crises. The nonprofit has awarded 2,000 grants to members of the community and $9 million has been given out to help ease the burden on our friends and neighbors. This Friday, the Vail Valley Charitable Fund is hosting a fundraiser called Moving Mountains for Marc for long-time local, Dr. Marc Peck.

Dr. Peck has served Eagle County with his medical expertise for over three decades. He was first diagnosed with cancer but was able to continue to work full-time for years. His health issues caused him to decrease his practice hours to part-time, and now, with an additional diagnosis of ALS, he has been forced to stop working altogether. His wife, Judy, is no longer able to work either, and she and their five children are taking care of Marc. Proceeds from the event will allow them to provide full-time care in their home and keep Marc there for as long as possible. The medical bills and other expenses are stacking up as well, so this event will hopefully put a dent in that.

The fundraiser hosted by the Vail Valley Charitable Fund will be held at the EagleVail Pavilion on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. A $35 suggested donation will not only support the Peck’s but also get you two drinks and heavy appetizers. Beaver Liquors, West Vail Liquor Mart, Riverwalk Wine & Spirits and Bottle ‘N Cork have all donated the beverages and Sweet Basil, Craftsman, Route 6 Café and Moe’s Original BBQ are cooking up the apps.

There will be live music from Trees Don’t Move and Moving Mountains Band. The silent auction is stacked with great items from Vail Resorts EpicPromise (think spa, dining, retail and golf), restaurants like Pazzo’s, Mountain Standard, Vendetta’s and Montauk, and there are other items up for grabs from Revolution Power Yoga, Eagle Ranch Golf Course, P Furniture & Design, Valley Girl, Kitchen Collage, Squash Blossom, Antler’s, Vintage Magnolia and 10^th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co.

To learn more go to VVCF.org.

Bighorn Gravel Recon Rides

Time to get off the couch and head out on the bike and the latest craze is gravel riding. Gravel bikes are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike, with drop handlebars and wider tires to help you navigate unpaved roads. Eagle County boasts the Bighorn Gravel ride and this year’s event will be June 23-25. This Saturday gives you a chance to check out portions of the courses so you can be more familiar with them before the race.

There will be two rides on Saturday exploring portions of the 85-mile and 50-mile courses. Recon Ride #1 is the shorter ride, covering 19 miles and a 2,000-foot vertical gain. This route follows the Gravel Curious Course which also is the first 16 miles of the Ram’s Horn Escape Course.

Recon Ride #2 is the longer ride at 48 miles and climbs 4,500 vertical feet. This route follows the start of the Ram’s Horn Escape course to preview the first 31 miles or so before going back downhill into Gypsum. Both rides will start and end at the Gypsum Recreation Center. The group will depart at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The Bighorn Gravel event was founded by Jake Wells and Mike Brumbaugh. Wells is a multi-time U.S. Cyclocross national champion and is now focusing more on gravel and endurance events. He owns FORM Attainment Studio in Edwards which focuses on functional strength training, bike fitting and endurance coaching. Brumbaugh is an accomplished cyclist, climber, skier and entrepreneur and the owner of Venture Sports.

After the rides, stay for a short tech clinic and complimentary nutrition and hydration from The Feed. The rides are open to the public and free of charge but make sure to RSVP to reserve your spot at Eventbrite. You can also learn more about the Big Horn Gravel event at BighornGravel.com.

Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily is showcasing area chefs in a new series called “Meet Your Chef” so you can learn a bit more about those creating art in the kitchen. If you’re a local chef and would like to be a part of this series, please email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com) and Sean Naylor (snaylor@vaildaily.com).

Q: What is your name, where do you cook and what is your official title?

A: My name is Lauren Ridout, owner/chef at Slapped Woodfired Pizza at Agora in Minturn.

Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here?

A: I arrived June 1. My good friend Larry Stone, owner of the Scarab and Helen’s House in downtown Minturn, donated his side yard during the pandemic to the community so people would have a place to dine outside. With the help of some friends they created a funky, outdoor eating area filled with tables and chairs, toys for kids and quirky art. A year later, he added an outdoor kitchen inside the space. We were both very curious to see how a plant-based food operation would fare in the highlands and so after many conversations, we decided to bring out myself and my pizza concept from San Diego.

Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a chef?

A: I’ve always loved cooking! Both of my parents welcomed my brother and I into the kitchen at such a young age. It’s just always felt very natural to me. Becoming a chef happened quite serendipitously. Shortly after I turned vegan, I started meal prepping for myself because I was so busy and didn’t have many opportunities to eat healthy, plant-based meals. My neighbors and friends jumped on board and soon it turned into a thriving business. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to work for myself and be in a creative space every day.

Q: Who has inspired you throughout your culinary journey?

A: When I was in my early 20s I was obsessed with the Food Network. I got a lot of inspiration from Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentis at that time. After going vegetarian in 2011 and vegan in 2017, I really went backwards in time to find inspiration. Cooking became like a fun game. I deconstructed all my favorite recipes and put the ingredients back together like building blocks to recreate similar flavor profiles. I believe some of the best chefs in the world have a strong veggie game and I really look up to Chef Bryant Terry, Gaz Oakley and Miyoko Schinner to name a few.

Q: What’s your favorite spice?

A: Fennel seed – I could use it in almost everything!

Q: Favorite protein?

A: Tofu – This clean and complete plant-based protein is super versatile. I love that it takes on the flavor of any seasoning and can have so many different textures and uses.

Q: Favorite fruits and veggies?

A: Guanabana (soursop) is my favorite fruit. That’s the name of it in Costa Rica, but it has other names depending on the country you’re in. The flavor is super interesting…sweet, tangy, tropical, buttery. My favorite vegetables are tomatoes. I couldn’t live without them!

Q: Name your carb: pasta, potatoes, rice, polenta, etc.?

A: Quinoa! It’s so healthy, versatile and about the only carb I don’t feel guilty about after eating.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food? 

A: My favorite comfort food is a big ol’ Cali-style burrito. Being plant-based, my perfect burrito is stuffed with refried beans, French fries, guacamole, extra pico de gallo, fajita veggies and lettuce…don’t forget hot sauce!

 Q: Is there anything else about you we should share?

A: While my current gig is plant-based pizza in Minturn through October, I’m always looking for new outlets for my passion. I love cooking in all capacities; wellness retreats, catering, outreach, in-home, consulting, etc. For more info about me visit PlantitudeSD.com.

Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily is showcasing area chefs in a new series called “Meet Your Chef” so you can learn a bit more about those creating art in the kitchen. If you’re a local chef and would like to be a part of this series, please email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com) and Sean Naylor (snaylor@vaildaily.com).

Q: What is your name, where do you cook and what is your official title?

A: My name is Mark Tamberino, and I am the owner, line cook, bus boy, dishwasher and operator at Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar in Minturn.

Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here?

A: The skiing and active lifestyle brought me here and that was almost 20 years ago.

Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a chef?

A: I knew I wanted to be in the food and beverage industry at a young age. My father owned a prime meat packing company in Baltimore, Maryland, which sold to grocery stores, restaurants and also retail in the world famous Lexington Market. Working my younger years of my life with him on the weekends really taught me a lot about the cuts of meat and how to butcher most of them. At the age of 16, I found myself working at Sisson’s Brew Pub, Baltimore’s No. 1 brew pub. As I was not of age yet, the head brewmaster put me in charge of brewing their Edgar Allan Poe root beer. I stayed on board with Sisson’s until I left to attend Salisbury University on the eastern shore of Maryland. The rest of my story goes on from working from one great restaurant to the next and learning as much as I could at each, not knowing that I would have the opportunity to have my own restaurant later in life.

Q: Who has inspired you throughout your culinary journey?

A: My inspiration is not some high end chef who cooks in Beaver Creek or Vail Village, although they all are at the top of their game. Mad props go out to them! But, my inspiration is my father-in-law, Michael Deutschman. He taught me a lot about the experience of dining and that dining at the highest Michelin-rated restaurants can be a totally incredible experience, but Chinese carryout can be as good. I also get a lot of inspiration from our customers. Hearing feedback is inspiring.

Q: What’s your favorite spice?

A: Old Bay! I am a Maryland boy at heart.

Q: Favorite protein?

A: I like pretty much any kind of shellfish.

Q: Favorite fruits and veggies?

A: For fruit I’d say mango and for a veggie, lately it’s been purple cauliflower.

Q: Name your carb: pasta, potatoes, rice, polenta, etc.?

A: Pizza!

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?

A: My wife Emily’s chicken and couscous, noodle soup or her crab cakes. They are the bomb!

Meet your friends and create new connections at the Agora in Minturn. The name comes from an old Greek term that is defined as a “community gathering place,” and Minturn businessman Larry Stone decided to make this outdoor space a hub for this quaint mountain town.

“In most old-world villages, there would be an agora which just meant a place where social activities, political conversations, sports dialogue, any topic that people would come together for, and we decided to create that here,” Stone said.

The Agora is located on what was a driveway to the adjacent property, which Stone and his wife Jane Rohr own, called Helen’s House, a beautifully restored home that is available for short term rentals right on Main Street in Minturn.

“Jane and I knew that having this space available for the community would be more beneficial to Minturn. The pandemic was a catalyst that gave us a reason to open it up as a community space because the restaurants needed a place for outdoor dining for their guests. So now we’ve set it up to continue that process,” Stone said.

“We’ve had senior citizens in here playing bingo, we’ve had live music and karaoke, the art guild meets here, we’ve had hat painting projects and all types of community projects here,” Stone said.

The public has taken advantage of this new space that opened last year but Stone and some Minturn locals and even a chef from California decided to take it one step further this year. Like many good ideas, it started over a couple of cocktails at Agora the night of June 12. Matt Deem, of Wild Mountain Cellars had been talking to Lauren Ridout of Slapped Woodfired Pizza about some collaborations. Ridout’s pizza company is out of San Diego, but she is at the Agora for the summer doing pizzas out of the new woodfired pizza oven.

“We were talking about doing some collaborations with my wines and her plant-based menu. Then some others at the table started talking about where you could get a good glass of wine and we looked at the barn and the end of the old driveway and thought, ‘we could put a tasting room right there,’ and Larry overheard the conversation and we all started talking about how to make it work,” Deem said.

In addition to the Agora being a place where you can bring in your food and drink from other restaurants, it could also be a place to get Wild Mountain Cellars’ wine. The location also has easy access to the Eagle River where there are some seating areas along the banks.  

“One of the nice things about Minturn is that we have an open container law and with Gov. Polis allowing people to order drinks to-go for the next four years, you can get your drink and have it open and come down, then enjoy spirits from whatever establishment you want,” Stone said.

The next day, Deem set things in motion getting the paperwork ready to turn that barn into a tasting room. Deem has been a winemaker for 17 years and currently makes his wine under the roof of Continental Divide Winery in Fairplay. Deem’s license allows him to sell other Colorado wineries’ wines, too.

“I make reds and I make a rose, I have five different varietals and five or six blends, so I’ll have around 12 of my own wines then and will pour certain bottles certain nights. I also want to get a hold of my winemaking buddies and get their white wines in here, too” Deem said.

Pair that wine with a slice of pizza from the specialty woodfired pizza oven Stone bought for the property.

“A stone oven is so amazing because you have the heat from the stone, the air, like a convection oven, and then the heat coming directly from the flame so it doesn’t take very long to make anything. The aromas are amazing, too. We use peach wood and cherry wood from the Western Slope and it gets everyone’s senses going,” Ridout said.

In addition to the woodfired pizza, Ridout’s menu is fresh and healthy. They also serve breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays.

“I strive for 100% non-GMO and organic every chance we get, and we have just been positively surprised at everyone’s reactions,” Ridout said.

 Everything on the menu is plant-based but Ridout doesn’t let that take center stage.

“Putting it in a category of vegan or plant-based beforehand can put a different connotation on the customer’s experience. I just want them to try the food, love the food and then talk to me about it. I’ll even say, ‘if you don’t like it, I’ll buy it’ and not one time have I had someone say that they don’t like it,” Ridout said.

Rounding out the team at Agora is Rob Kelly-Goss, a friend of Stone’s since they were 15 years old back in Little Rock, Arkansas. The pair came out to the Vail Valley in 1988 and stayed for the Alpine World Ski Championships in 1989 and Stone never left.

“Larry called me and asked if I wanted to help out at Agora and I didn’t blink an eye,” Kelly-Goss said.

Kelly-Goss is the artist in residence and in addition to the artwork he does for the marketing materials and the art projects at Agora he helps out where he can.

“I’m kinda the front of the house guy who rounds out the team,” he said.  

Kelly-Goss did all of the artwork on the sign when you enter the Agora that lets you know about all of the other restaurants in town, and there are QR codes allowing you to order your food and drinks and bring them into Agora if you want something different than the Slapped Woodfired Pizza or the Wild Mountain Cellars wine.

“I felt like the Agora really brought an opportunity for us to come together and be good stewards of our environment and our community,” said Stone, who has been a part of the Minturn business community since 1989. He and Rohr own the Scarab in downtown Minturn.

“There’s nothing like this in all of Eagle County,” Stone said.

Name of business: Minturn Country Club

Physical address: 131 Main St, Minturn, CO 81645

Phone number: 970-827-4114

Website: minturncountryclub.com

What goods or services are you offering at this time? 

The Minturn Country Club is a “you pick it, and you grill it steakhouse” type of restaurant offering a full menu of USDA choice and prime steaks, seafood and chicken.

How have you adjusted to serve your customers during these unprecedented times? 

Per Eagle County guidelines, we provide All U Can Eat Salad, in lieu of our salad bar. We provide poly gloves and your personal tongs for grilling.

How can the community support you?

We are open and have dine-in seating and are operating per state and county guidelines.

What’s the best source to keep up to date with your offerings?

Look for our ad on the back page of the Vail Daily for nightly specials. Please visit us on the web, Google Minturn Country Club or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What’s the response been?

Our employees and customers both have been ecstatic that we are back open. It’s unfortunate that events, such as the Lacrosse Shootout have been canceled. Lost revenue can never be made up, which hurts us all, especially our servers.

What are your plans going forward as the “new normal” evolves?

We plan to continue to open more seating and getting back to normal as permitted by the state and county.

Name of business: Minturn Saloon

Physical Address: 146 N. Main St. Minturn, CO 81645

Phone number: 970-827-5954

Email: Info@MinturnSaloon.com

Website: www.MinturnSaloon.com

What goods or services are you offering at this time? 

Known as one of the ten most historic and iconic restaurants in Colorado, the Minturn Saloon is back serving Saloon classics from our Mexican and specialty menu (ribs, duck, quail, steak) and we now offer “Americana comfort food” sandwiches and salads. We open at 3 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays with socially distanced seating on our outdoor, riverside deck and in our dining room.

How have you adjusted to serve your customers during these unprecedented times? 

To address the coronavirus situation, we have instituted protocols for sanitizing and cleaning according to Eagle County and other state agency guidance. Our menu has been revised with an emphasis on food is “to-go” friendly. We have family dinner kits and “to-go” margarita kits (with and without tequila) and other specialty cocktails and bar beverages. We will have on-line ordering and contactless payment systems very soon.

How can the community support you?

The community can support us by coming in for dinner and enjoying our relaxing environment. The Minturn Saloon is a great place to once again join with friends and family over a wonderful dinner. Take advantage of our takeout options.

What’s the best source to keep up to date with your offerings?

See our new menu and other information on our website, Facebook and Instagram. Also check out the new Facebook group, Vail Valley Food and Drink, for updates on many valley restaurants.  

What’s the response been?

Response from customers has been fantastic! People are happy to be back at the Saloon, have commented that they feel safe and relaxed, and are appreciative of the safety procedures we have in place. Our staff feels safe as well.

What are your plans going forward as the “new normal” evolves?

Going forward, we will continue to evolve as Eagle County does. We hope to offer more new specials and menu items, as we try to make these trying times an opportunity to become a better restaurant. See you at the Saloon!

Name of business: Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea – Roastery Cafe

Physical address: Meadow Mountain Business Park, 23698 US Hwy 24 Minturn, CO 81645        

Phone number: 970-827-4008

Email: sales@vailcoffee.com

Website: vailcoffee.com

What goods or services are you offering at this time?

We are offering all coffee and tea drinks to go along with our freshly baked sweet and savory treats. We are still offering all seven brewing options along with a full flight of espresso drinks. All of our coffees are available in our standard retail package and 5-pound bulk bags start at $39.95. For the tea drinker, we are offering a 20% discount on all loose-leaf teas.

How have you adjusted to serve your customers during these unprecedented times?

We are offering pick up of our bulk items in a drop box outside the front door and the opportunity to pre-order drinks for take-out. We have hand sanitizing stations at the front door and adjacent to the espresso bar. We are also following all social distancing protocols laid out by Eagle County Health.

We just started offering free delivery on all retail orders placed online at vailcoffee.com from Edwards to East Vail. We have 65 whole-leaf teas and 35 coffees to bring to your doorstep. Place your order each week for Thursday delivery.

How can the community support you?

The community has been amazing by purchasing 5-pound bags of freshly roasted coffee directly from us. We had a parent from Red Sandstone Elementary School order coffee to be shipped as gifts to all 29 teachers as a thank you for their extra efforts. Also, we offer free shipping on our website and many people have been placing orders to ship home to friends and family as a “stay-at-home gift”. This has helped us maintain our staff for the past six weeks.

What’s the best source to keep up to date with your offerings?

Our website, vailcoffee.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What’s the response been? What comments have you heard from the public or from your employees? 

Our customers are very happy that we have stayed open. People, in general, are concerned about our local economy and what recovery will look like but on the whole, there is a fair amount of optimism. I believe that our employees are very happy that we have created a situation that we are still able to do business and they have been able to stay employed.

What are your plans going forward as the “new normal” evolves?

We will continue to build on our bulk sales for people to enjoy our coffee and tea brewed in their homes. When we move to dining in, we have a big area that we will be able to create a welcoming environment with great social distancing. Also, as our restaurant and lodging community reopens its doors, we will be ready to service all of their wholesale needs.

Editor’s Note: The Vail Daily has been publishing an updated list of open restaurants each day online and in print. If you don’t see your favorite restaurant listed there, call ahead to see if they are open and what their options are and encourage them to get on our list by emailing details to Kaylee Porter at kporter@vaildaily.com.

Currently, restaurants in the Vail Valley are able to be open and doing takeout, delivery or a combination of both during these trying coronavirus times. Some staffers at the Vail Daily had a chance to dine in while eating food someone else had made for them. Here’s a round-up of what they ordered. (Warning: Reading this article may make you hungry!)

Pam Boyd – Vail Daily reporter and editor of the Eagle Valley Enterprise

Which restaurant?

Grand Avenue Grill in Eagle

What did you order?

Asiago Crusted Chicken Club Sandwich and a Castle Peak Burger

Was it takeout or was it delivered to your home?

Takeout, super convenient from their ice cream window.

Was there a good variety of items on the menu?

These two items are my favorite (club sandwich) and my husband’s favorite (burger) and it is our standing order at Grand Avenue Grill. We were thrilled we could get them.

How did it taste? 

Terrific. Like always. The Grand Avenue Grill has had outstanding quality for nearly two decades.

Any other notes about the experience or any comments from the restaurant you’d like to share?

In the middle of these weird days, it was a great break to treat ourselves to our favorite lunch.

Morgan Allman – Digital content manager for Everything Vail Valley

Which restaurant?

Thai Kitchen in Minturn

What did you order?

I went for the classics and ordered pad Thai and Thai tea from Thai Kitchen in Minturn

Was it takeout was or was it delivered to your home?

Takeout- called in my order, and when I went to pick it up there were sanitizing wipes by the door (which I used to wipe down my hands as well as my card before I handed it over). I was greeted at the door and asked for my name.  I was given my receipt, I gave her my card, she ran it and brought me the to-go bag.  She was also wearing a precautionary mask and gloves.

Was there a variety of items on the menu?

The full menu is available for takeout.

How did it taste?

Delicious. I spent a summer backpacking through Southeast Asia and both the pad Thai and Thai tea tasted exactly as I remember.

Any other notes about the experience or any comments from the restaurant you’d like to share? 

The woman who helped me was very nice and my food was ready by the time I got to the restaurant, in about 10 minutes.

Emily Peterson – Vail Daily account manager

Which Restaurant?

Red Canyon Cafe in Eagle

What did you order?

We got delicious iced coffees and breakfast sandwiches along with amazing cinnamon rolls.

Was it takeout was or was it delivered to your home?

You can call in or go in with your order and you can do takeout or pick up your order curbside.

Was there a variety of items on the menu?

Looks like they have their regular breakfast menu featuring bagels, pastries and burritos. They have a wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch. Coffee and espresso drinks.

How did it taste?

It was awesome! We think they also have the best lunch sandwiches and the best coffee.

Any other notes about the experience or any comments from the restaurant you’d like to share?

Ryan, the owner, is always there taking care of guests with a big smile and this time was no different. It was also obvious that he was taking all the precautions from having hand sanitizer available to guests, wearing gloves, etc.

Tyler Buscemi – Digital content manager for Everything Vail Valley

Which restaurant?

Asian Fusion in Gypsum

What did you order?

We ordered a few of their lunch specials: General Tso’s chicken and kung pao chicken with egg drop soup and crab rangoon

Was it takeout or was it delivered to your home?

Takeout

Was there a good variety on the menu or were there only a few items available?

The full menu is available

How did it taste? 

This is our favorite Asian restaurant in the Valley. Great service, fast, dependable.

Any other notes about the experience or any comments from the restaurant you’d like to share?

When mentioning a “birthday lunch” for my wife, Brooke she didn’t hesitate to say that she wanted Asian Fusion.

Tricia Swenson, Vail Daily reporter

Which restaurant?

Zino Ristorante in Edwards

What did you order?

I took advantage of Zino’s deal going on that day which was 50% off appetizers. I ordered the melanzane – roasted eggplant parmigiana, mozzarella, marinara and dried basil pesto; cavolini – Brussels sprouts with house-made pancetta and frito misto – crispy calamari, shrimp, catch of the day, shishito peppers and harissa aioli.

Was it takeout was or was it delivered to your home?

I went online and ordered off the menu on their website. I called and gave my credit card information over the phone. The to-go bag and credit card receipt was on a table in the entryway at Zino, so, in its own little room. I waved at Giuseppe through the glass of the door between us. 

Was there a variety of items on the menu?

It looked pretty much like their regular menu with appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, entrées and even desserts. Don’t forget the deals on bottles of wine, too!

How did it taste?

It was delicious and a nice break from the humble meals we’ve had at home. The frito misto was a treat since I don’t make fried calamari at home. Since I ordered three appetizers I had leftovers for lunch the next day.

Any other notes about the experience or any comments from the restaurant you’d like to share? 

When I called Zino, owner Giuseppe Bosco answered the phone in his enthusiastic Italian accent. It was good to hear his voice and he said he’s so grateful for the community’s outreach and thanks everyone who is supporting them during this trying time.

Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek

For 17 years, skiers and snowboarders have taken to the Talons area of Beaver Creek to conquer 14 of the resort’s toughest black and double black diamond runs in order to have bragging rights and a sense of satisfaction after conquering over 26,000 vertical feet in one day. Are you ready for the Talons Challenge?

This Saturday, competitors of all ages will tackle the steep terrain on Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and Larkspur Bowl. In between runs you can always stop and rest at the Talons restaurant, nestled at the base of the three lifts that service this area. The Talons restaurant will also play host to the Talons Challenge après-ski party from 12 to 4 p.m. The celebration will continue down in Beaver Creek Village from 4 to 6 p.m. with additional entertainment and giveaways.

The physical challenge is also a fundraiser for SOS Outreach, an organization that uses adventure sports to teach underserved youth core values and leadership development. At the base of each lift, kids from SOS Outreach programs and volunteers will be there to keep you honest by marking your lanyard after each run. The kids have also been known to give you plenty of words of encouragement to keep your energy levels and spirits up.

A $40 registration includes your access to the Talons Challenge, a lanyard and credential for tracking your runs, special 17th Edition Talons Challenge swag and food. Please note that your lift ticket is not included in registration.

From $160, the Ultimate Talon limited edition package gets you additional perks beyond the standard Talons Challenge registration. If you go the Ultimate route you will get a commemorative Talons Challenge Vanir backpack from Helly Hansen (a $130 value) as well as a $40 donation to SOS Outreach and discounted drinks at the village après-ski event. The Ultimate Talon packages tend to sell out. To learn more go to www.beavercreek.com and search for Signature Events. 

Ski with Jonny Moseley

Vail Mountain also has a ski benefit on Saturday. Can Do MS is calling it “powder with a purpose” and wants everyone to come out for its annual Ski for MS event, which brings teams from all over the region to Vail to participate in amateur races, a costume contest and an après-ski party to help fund its programs for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  

The locally-based Can Do MS organization was formerly known as The Jimmy Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis. Jimmy Heuga was an Olympic bronze medalist in alpine skiing. He and teammate Billy Kidd made America proud when Kidd finished second and Heuga finished third on the podium in Innsbruck, Austria at the 1964 Olympic Games.

Heuga was diagnosed with MS early in his career and he revolutionized treatment with a whole-body approach. He wanted to focus on the things that those with MS can do versus the things they can’t do.

Can Do MS hosts seven ski events from California to New Hampshire, inviting people to participate in a day of fun while also raising funds to help those living with MS. This year the teams will be joined by Olympic skier Jonny Moseley.

The Express Lift at the bottom of Gondola One in Vail Village will serve as the home base for registration on Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. During the day there will be amateur ski races at the Epic Mix racecourse near the Avanti Express lift. A Celebration Ski Down to honor Can Do MS Founder, Jimmy Heuga will be held at the bottom of the Epic Mix race arena at 3 p.m. and the group will return to the Express Lift bar at Mountain Plaza for the après ski awards party and raffle from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by Jonny Mogambo, free beer thanks to Bonfire Brewing, appetizers, musical chairs and raffles.

There is no cause or cure for MS but Can Do MS provides hope and a pathway to take charge of the disease. To find out more please visit www.cando-ms.org.

A country music queen and music fit for a king

Country music singer Sara Evans will grace the Vilar Performing Arts Center with her beautiful voice and soulful lyrics on Friday at 7 p.m.

She’s had five No. 1 singles, sold millions of albums worldwide, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.”

Evans grew up singing and was a part of her family’s band in has been in and out of Nashville recording songs and albums as a solo artist. You may remember hits such as “A Little Bit Stronger,” “I Could Not Ask For More,” “Born to Fly,” “Suds In The Bucket,” “No Place That Far,” “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” and more.

Enjoy a little storytelling at this intimate venue with this award-winning county music star. Tickets are $78 and you can find out more by visiting www.vilarpac.org.

Also performing at the Vilar Performing Arts Center this weekend is the King’s Singers on Sunday at 7 p.m. This British a cappella group has been around for over 50 years and it still features the same vocal formation of two countertenors, one tenor, two baritones and a bass singer.

The King’s Singers will perform “Royal Blood,” a program that investigates the life and legacy of 16th century King Henry VIII. From London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Opera House in Sydney or New York’s Carnegie Hall, take advantage of the King’s Singers sharing their vocal qualities in Beaver Creek.

Tickets start at $48 for adults and are $10 for students. Or, buy three tickets to this show and get the fourth ticket free. This show is also part of the VPAC ticket package: Pick three shows for $90, pick five shows for $175 or pick eight shows for $240. The show is also part of the Pay Your Age (18-30 years old) ticket program. Go to www.vilarpac.org for more details.

Après ski with Vail Jazz

We don’t hear a lot about Vail Jazz in the wintertime. For 26 years the sounds of jazz have dominated outdoor venues from the Vail Farmers Market to the Ford Amphitheater. But this Friday, Vail Jazz will host a special pop-up après ski party at the Minturn Saloon with the sounds of the Burnsville Band.

Head over to this iconic Minturn bar and restaurant and enjoy the free live music as well as free drinks and appetizers from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Every local knows that the Minturn Saloon is one of the valley’s most boisterous, under-the-radar venues for a celebratory drink after a day on the slopes. We want to ramp that up a notch,” said Vail Jazz executive director James Kenly in a press release. “It makes sense to add après ski to our wheelhouse with this pop-up event and also provide a glimpse of the musical energy to come this summer.”

The Burnsville Band is lead by Steve Burns, who has been playing the guitar since he was 11 and will be guiding the audience with some deep, soul searching blues music. The Burnsville Band has developed a regional following as well as a reputation for bringing a joyful buzz to any party.

Head to Minturn, which is a close drive from Vail or Beaver Creek ski areas, or leave work a little early this Friday to take part in this winter celebration with Vail Jazz. For more information, visit www.vailjazz.org.

Historical hike

In addition to the daily snowshoe hikes, evening snowshoe tours, full moon snowshoe tours and backcountry snowshoe hikes, Walking Mountains Science Center also hosts history trips on snowshoes.

Walking Mountains’ mission is “to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education.” They take that one step further by adding historical tidbits of Eagle County’s legacy with the addition of the Hiking Through History tours.

Walking Mountains has teamed up with the Eagle County Historical Society for the snowshoe history treks. Saturday’s hike takes place in East Brush Creek outside of Eagle. Local historian Kathy Heicher will share stories about Ranger Brown, who tended the forest from 1920-1935.

Ranger Brown handled tasks including managing grazing allotments for local ranchers, building key trails and roads, building Forest Service cabins and offices throughout Eagle County. He also handled predator control issues involving wolves. Brown also managed the Civilian Conservation Corps camp established in 1940. Learn about this fascinating character who helped shape many of the trails and forest resources in our valley.

“Kathy Heicher and the Eagle County Historical Society always do an amazing job with us for Hiking Through History,” said Paul Abling, marketing and communications director for Walking Mountains. We’ve explored the history of many areas together including Camp Hale, Red Cliff, Fulford, and the Sweetwater Cave. We are excited to learn all about the history of another area, East Brush Creek, on this fun snowshoe history trek.”

The tour is set up to be a half-day excursion with the hike itself about 2.5 miles in distance. Snowshoes and poles are provided. Bring your own lunch for a post-tour picnic at Yeoman Park Campground. The program meets at Walking Mountains Science Center at 9 a.m. Register online in advance: www.walkingmountains.org.

Even though Minturn’s main street under construction this summer, the town’s main street businesses want locals, commuters and guests alike to get “paid back” for any time they may spend waiting in traffic on the road.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is working on freshly paved roads, adding sidewalks and eliminating potholes, which will be great come October when work is complete and driving is smooth and delay-free. But until then, drivers passing on Highway 24 should expect delays in both directions.

To help with any ensuing headaches from Minturn’s summer traffic problem, town businesses are offering guests rewards with “Traffic Tokens.” Guests can collect the coins at participating businesses and redeem them for food, drinks and discounts at restaurants around town.

Tokens can be collected at the Town Hall offices at 302 Pine St., as well as at participating restaurants, Minturn retailers, and at Minturn special events such as the Saturday Market – which runs each Saturday through Sept. 7 – and the Thursday-night Summer Concert Series, starting July 11.  Tokens can then be spent around town at local restaurants, as well as at local businesses.

Offerings and participating business, will be updated throughout the summer, giving locals and returning guests new reasons to #Makeit2Minturn. Updates, reminders, and reward details will be shared via the Town of Minturn’s social media channels, with the handle @GoMinturn.

Extreme Couponing

Here’s a list of deals presenting Traffic Tokens will get at local Minturn businesses:

The Minturn Saloon

Presenting the coin gets guests an appetizer and a 1/2 liter of house margaritas free with the order of 2 entrees.

Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea

The coffeeshop is offering two for one beverages when guests present the tokens.

Thai Kitchen

The restaurant is offering a range of rewards including $3 beers, $5 wine and sake, as well as a free order of spring rolls or pork dumplings with checks totaling $50 or more.

Kirby Cosmo’s

The BBQ bar will give anyone with a token a locals discount on anything across the menu.   

BC Backcountry Wings

Minturn’s wing joint will honor its happy hour prices for a 10pc one-flavor bone-in wing basket and a draft beer any time when presented with a Traffic Token.

Magustos

With an order of a large specialty pizza, token holders will get a free appetizer.

Monkshood Cellars 

Available only during the Saturday Minturn Markets, the wine and cider maker will have a buy 3, get 1 free offer on their products.

Anahata Yoga

Minturn’s newest yoga studio is offering guests and locals a special experience in exchange for the Traffic Token. To any new client with a coin, Anahata is offering an $80 introductory 5 punch pass when they sign up in June. With the punch pass, wellness enthusiasts enjoy $16 classes, a reduction from the standard $20 drop-in fee. Additionally, Anahata is offering, to all students (new and old), 10% off private yoga sessions in exchange for a token.

Equilibrium

Located inside Anahata, the physical therapy studio is offering two sessions for $120. The sessions include a physical therapy evaluation and a follow-up visit that focuses on manual therapy, dry needling, and/or neuromuscular training.

Revival Photographic

Tintype photographer Kevin Banker will be offering 20% off portrait sessions to token holders.