Creative American classics in Beaver Creek

Nestled into the Beaver Creek Lodge in the middle of Beaver Creek Village, Alpine + Antlers offers American classics with an artful twist.

“We focus on making it family-friendly and approachable,” said Sammy Shipman, Director of Food & Beverage and Culinary at Beaver Creek Lodge.

The restaurant offers dining inside and out, including a lively bar, several dining rooms and outdoor areas with three fire features that welcome the aprés crowd. Several private dining spaces offer options for groups of all sizes — even a last-minute request for a party of 42. 

Helmed by Chef de Cuisine John Ardini, the menu includes small plates — “nibbles” — as well as soup, salads and large plates featuring wild game and hearty proteins. Don’t miss out on Chef Ardini’s clam chowder — as a New England native, he’s refined this recipe over decades, including 20 years at Eagle Springs Golf Club. Craving spice? Try the tortilla soup, which blends the perfect amount of heat and hearty comfort and is available in a vegan version. Another favorite small plate is the bison carpaccio — cured with a spruce salt, it’s a taste of the mountains in every bite. Built on seasonal ingredients, the menu is great for sharing.

When it comes to large plates, the chicken is a favorite among those who are annual guests. 

Support Local Journalism

Donate

“It’s weird to say it, but we do an exceptionally good job on the chicken,” Shipman said. He should know: He created the dish when he was executive chef, prior to becoming the F&B Director. “We use an organic Amish farm chicken and it tastes like Thanksgiving on a plate.”

The dish has been on the menu for five years and Shipman says that it keeps returning because there are complaints when it’s removed from the menu or changed.

Carnivores have much to rejoice about — the large plate selection includes a venison loin, bison tenderloin, a Waygu filet and a hoisin-marinated lamb tenderloin that literally melts in the mouth. Feeling (sea) salty? There are also pan-seared scallops and a salmon Oscar on offer. 

But everything doesn’t have to revolve around a full meal. Shipman is also offering an après dinner experience for those who are craving a nightcap in the later hours. From 8-9 p.m., Alpine + Antlers is serving up s’mores and hot beverages on the patio, complete with fur blankets and exceptional heaters. It’s an inviting locale that’s the perfect ending for an amazing evening. “People want amazing service,” Shipman said. “And yes, the food matters. But what brings it all together is how guests feel; the care, the experience, and the moments they’ll remember long after they leave the mountain. When you’re creating memories, that connection becomes what truly lasts.”