Vail’s Deca + Bol: Classic flavors with refreshing twists

Traveling with a group is great — until you have to decide where to eat. How do you find a place that pleases everyone? Enter Deca.

Tucked next to the ice skating rink in the heart of Vail Village, Deca’s menu mixes approachable American classics and elevated dishes, with enough variety to satisfy your craving of the day. It’s familiar food with refreshing twists, like the crowd-pleasing Smashed Bol Burger or the perfect grilled cheese layered with bacon and a shishito-manchego spread served alongside a soul-soothing cup of tomato basil soup. 

Let’s kick things off with cocktails. Saddle up to the long bar lined with TVs or settle into a table in the trendy, sleek space spinning cool tunes. Elmeg The Wise is like sipping on the season itself: a sweet and refreshing concoction of vodka, cranberry liqueur and rosemary simple syrup.

Or, for something more earthy and bold, order the Mad Beets. House-roasted beets take center stage, their bold flavor brightened by prosecco, rhubarb and lemon. If you’re skipping the booze, the Zero Proof menu offers inventive, sans-alcohol options that deliver just as much flavor and fun. 

Now, on to the meal. “Our inspiration for the winter menu is to take some of our lighter summer plates and transition them for the season. We have a tendency to lean towards heavy dishes in the winter, but we’ve designed our menu around healthier but hearty dishes,” said General Manager Josh Addelson.

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Start with some shareables, like the smoked tomatoes. Plump house-smoked heirloom tomatoes rest on top of creamy whipped goat cheese, drizzled with a sweet cherry-balsamic reduction, and topped with bread crumbs for a delicate crunch.

Want something heartier? Tender Colorado lamb lollipops are drizzled with chimichurri. Lobster rolls made for sharing? Yes please. This dish is a nod to Addelson’s Northeast roots but with a Colorado twist. Lobster salad is stacked on three buttered brioche sliders and topped with crispy shallots so everyone can have a taste.

If your appetite demands something more robust (after all, you did just spend the day on the slopes), their entrees have you covered. The macademia-crusted halibut is a must-try. A light, flaky halibut is coated with a nutty, golden crust of macadamia nuts with a hint of wasabi heat. Paired with creamy garlic-herb mashed potatoes and crisp green beans, it’s the kind of meal that’s satisfying without slowing you down. After all, you do need to make it to the mountain tomorrow.

Whether you’re vegan or not, the fried rice just might steal the show. Fluffy rice is tossed in a fresh blend of leafy herbs and loaded with tamari-marinated shiitake mushrooms, crisp broccolini and caramelized sweet potatoes. A silky smear of celery root puree (made with coconut milk), chili crunch and gochujang creates a dish that is bursting with well-balanced flavors. But the bone-in Sakura pork chop is great, too.

Make sure to save room for something sweet. The chai crème brûlée is a creamy and cozy hug of holiday flavors — cinnamon, cardamom and ginger — topped with a crackling burnt sugar crust. The bread pudding is always present on the menu, and for good reason. Homemade spiced dark rum bread is laced with notes of caramel and molasses, finished with white and dark chocolate sauces and topped with Nutella ice cream. 

Still have energy to burn? Head to the back of the restaurant, where Bol awaits. This swanky 10-lane bowling alley offers plush seating, giant screens featuring action sports and live events, and a full menu of drinks and dishes from Deca. On the weekends, Bowling After Dark keeps the fun rolling until midnight.