There are elevated dining experiences in Beaver Creek…and then there’s Beano’s Cabin. For more than 30 years, dining at Beano’s has been a winter wonderland adventure that retains its magic time and time again. Clamber into the open-air sleigh at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain and tuck cozy blankets around your legs; the expansive views of Grouse Mountain and Larkspur Bowl seem to foreshadow the incredible experience that awaits in the cabin up ahead.
Upon arrival, every aspect of comfort is addressed. After the warm and welcoming greeting, congregate next to the cozy stone hearth and blazing fire to chase away any lingering chill. Take a moment to soak in the glow of the antler chandeliers: The diffused light lends a fairytale feeling to the expansive room with its wall of windows; the open kitchen reinforces this feeling — a glimpse inside reveals a cadre of magicians concocting decadent delights.
After settling in, peruse the menu. From appetizers to entrées, there’s a delightful blend of land and sea that promises to please almost any guest. “Beano’s Cabin serves upscale Colorado cuisine with a Pacific flair,” says Jessie Vandenhouten, communications manager at Beaver Creek Resort. “Chef Kevin Erving moved to Colorado from Hawaii and the menu is both playful and classic, incorporating ahi tuna poke alongside local Colorado lamb.”
Because Beano’s offers a five-course menu, the ability to sample a variety of dishes and customize the meal to each person’s palate is one of the attractions. Guests are able to curate their own experience, perhaps savoring the 7x Farms short rib pappardelle before sampling the striped bass or choosing wood-fired broccolini to whet the appetite before a Berkshire pork porterhouse.
Accentuating the cuisine is the extensive and well-curated wine list. A quick chat with Beano’s sommelier ensures that each course is perfectly paired with a wine that elevates that particular dish.
Though it’s tempting to take just one more bite of perfectly prepared duck, it’s imperative to save room for dessert. Incorporating seasonal flavors, these sweet treats (like warm apple and ginger brown betty and cranberry cheesecake) are the ultimate ending indulgence to a truly sumptuous meal.
As the notes from the acoustic guitar wind softly among the tables, the gentle hum of conversation drifts upwards. Families recount the adventures of the day, couples gently cheers their champagne and everywhere, a faint glow of contentment shines. For dinner at Beano’s is more than just a meal: It’s a quintessential experience that nourishes the soul long after the last sleigh departs.
If you go …
What: Beano’s Cabin, an upscale mountain chalet.
Where: Beaver Creek Mountain Via sleigh ride.
Cost: 5-course menu for $139 per person; 3-course menu for children 6-12 years old for $79 per child and $25 per child for children 3-5 years old. Children 2 years old and younger are complimentary.
Signature dish: Coffee-spiced roasted venison with parsnip puree, brussels sprouts, carrots and dried cherry reduction.
More information: Call 970.754.3463 or visit beanoscabinbeavercreek.com.