The Alpenrose in Vail, Colorado
As authentic as it gets.
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When we travel, I am always on the lookout for cool ethnic restaurants. On a recent ski vacation to Beaver Creek, Colorado we gave my aching knees a break from the slopes and headed over to explore the village of Vail. A quick 20-minute jaunt on interstate 70 brought us to the community of Vail with beautiful views of the snow-covered resort. Vail reminds one of an alpine hamlet but with a modern twist. Contemporary metallic benches offer shoppers a place to rest while quaint stores and restaurants provide a European picturesque backdrop.
As we strolled through the village, we came upon a charming wooden chalet called “The Alpenrose.” Any chance to try German fare and I am all in. As we entered the restaurant for our late-afternoon lunch, we were greeted by female servers wearing traditional lederhosen. The time-honored clothing generally associated with the mountainous regions of German-speaking Central Europe provided a nice touch to the atmosphere.
Since 1974, the Alpenrose has been an institution in Vail and in 2016 recently came under new family ownership. It did not disappoint. We started off our afternoon meal with cold Bavarian beers, and soft pretzels served warm on a rack of deer antlers – the presentation was outstanding! For our entrees, my wife decided to try the potato soup with sausage while I went for the brats with sauerkraut. Both were as authentic as one can get in the United States.
If you are ever in Vail, be sure to give the Alpenrose a try. It will be well worth your time but be forewarned the parking is outrageously expensive. For the privilege of parking my jeep less than two hours in convenient underground public lot the tab came to $45.
