Vail Valley Nibbles: Paired dinners at Maya in Avon and Spago in Beaver Creek

Tequila dinner at Maya

Maya in the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa welcomes Ruben Aceves, of Casa Herradura, one of Mexico’s most historic and renowned tequila producers, on Saturday for a special tequila tasting and dinner featuring five of Herradura’s 100 percent blue agave tequilas, including two bottles of Maya’s signature blend.

This evening will feature a special Mexican menu created by Maya Executive Chef Kevin Delonay, including braised lamb with jicama salad and chili morita; diver scallop with wheat esquites, epazote and Serrano peppers; verde, blanco and rojo chorizo with tortillas and salsa arbol; a dry-aged New York Strip with coriander, frijoles puercos and nopales; and garrafa with mamey, limon and fresa.

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Each dish will be paired with Herradura tequila and introduced by Aceves, who serves as the global brand ambassador for the 140-year-old Casa Herradura. Herradura tequilas to be poured include silver, reposado and anejo styles, as well as Maya’s Signature Double Barrel Reposado by Herradura (2015 and 2016 editions).

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Maya Tequila Lounge and is $75 per person. Reservations are required; call Maya at 970-790-5500 to save your spot.

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Oregon wine dinner at Spago

Spago at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, will host winemakers Brian O’Donnell and Steve Doerner for a five-course tasting menu created to pair perfectly with some of Oregon’s finest wines on Thursday, March 24.

Executive Chef Jorge Martinez will bring fare from the Pacific Northwest to the mountains, with ingredients including Kumamoto oysters, Dungeness crab, chanterelle mushrooms, salmon and duck.

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The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and is priced at $135 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For tickets to the event, call 970-343-1555.