Aspen Restaurant & Lounge

New Yorkers no longer have to travel to Colorado to catch the mountain chic of an Aspen ski lodge now that Aspen, a 4,200-square-foot restaurant and lounge, has opened its doors. Owner Greg Brier (Groovejet, Jet East), designer Steve Lewis of SLDesigns (Marquee, Butter), and celebrated chef Ricardo Hernandez (Plate, Soho Cantina) have collaborated to transform part of the Flatiron district into a retro wonderland complete with a fireplace during the winter and with a babbling brook centerpiece during the summer months. Their modern American menu with a Western twist offers small plates, ideal for sharing, and served until 4 a.m. Winter starters include Butternut Squash Soup with duck confit and spiced apples ($10) and pan-fried crab cake (tri-color bell pepper salad with cucumber) ($11). The menu also offers small plates such as the pan-seared bronzing (vegetable couscous, parsnips puree, brown butter & caper sauce) ($14) and tangy BBQ chicken lollipops (tamarind BBQ sauce, scallions & sesame) ($11). Lewis’s decor, including aspen birch and original barn wood details combined with modern elements such as Lucite deer heads and porcelain antler fixtures, is perfect for dining and private events with its chic ambiance, beautiful clientele, and attentive service. In addition to this elegant space, Aspen boasts a private dining space called the Gonzo Room in homage of former Aspen resident and literary mad genius Hunter S. Thompson. The Gonzo Room seats 16 for dinner or 30 for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, and offers a private entrance and fully staffed bar.