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Culinary madness at Beaver Creek

Aggie Zaremba
Bartender Lane Johnson adjusts his towel after lighting three flaming cocktails at the Whiskey Elk, a new resturant at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creak, on Saturday.
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Last Friday the hotel celebrated the opening of its new restaurants with a reception for Beaver Creek homeowners.

“The main purpose of the reception is to familiarize homeowners with our new initiatives,” said Maryann Yuthas, the director of public relations and advertising for Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.

Yuthas said the two restaurants and a lounge the Park Hyatt has just opened will fill a niche.



“Each of them offers a different dining experience, yet they all are located in the same spot,” she said.

Bivans, named after Stephen Bivans, one of the first settlers in the Vail Valley, is a family-oriented place.

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“It took Patina’s place,” said Yuthas. “We felt Park Hyatt – and Beaver Creek in general – needed a restaurant that would accommodate families. That’s how the idea of founding Bivans was born.”

Bivans is open daily from 7 a.m until 10 p.m. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, more informal atmosphere. Its menu abounds with a large variety of appetizers, soups and salads. Main entrees offer a wide selection of fish, steak and pasta. For those who want to eat something fast, Bivans serves juicy hamburgers. A devoted father himself, the restaurant’s chef didn’t forget about kids – the dessert menu includes, among other things, banana spring roll, creme brûlee, chocolate mousse torte and apple strudel.

Its special attraction is an outdoor terrace, which offers spectacular views of Beaver Creek’s slopes. In winter, guests who choose to dine outside are provided with wooly blankets and gas heaters.

Vue, on the other hand, is a French gourmet restaurant with only 36 seats, facing Beaver Creek Village and its outdoor rink.

Vue’s menu is a reflection of skills that Pascal Coudouy, the restaurant’s chef, brought from Europe. The chef’s talents are diverse, and so are the entrees, which change every week. This week’s specials included sole, salmon, veal and lamb served with refined sauces and carefully selected garnishes. Vue serves dinner five nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As for Whiskey Elk, formerly the Crooked Hearth, it’s the perfect place for those who want to rest, listen to piano tunes and sip good drinks.

“It was designed as a high-energy lounge, mainly serving drinks and entertaining with live music,” said Yuthas. “Every night we host two entertainers: Taylor Kundolf and David Kemmerly, renowned local performers.”

Inside, Whiskey Elk is a cross between an old tavern with stone walls and a cozy living room with overstuffed sofas, soft, fluffy chairs and a fireplace.

Whiskey Elk serves its small-batch bourbons, single malt scotches, ports and wines daily between 3 p.m. and midnight.


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