The Vail Daily is counting down the 10 most-read stories of 2023. Check back each day through Dec. 31 as we recap the year’s biggest news.
2023 saw new life breathed into several restaurants, following the recent turnover at some well-known locales, while a mainstay in Vail closed its doors for good.
Moe’s closes Lionshead location
Moe’s Original BBQ closed its Lionshead location in April with the traditional end-of-year crawfish boil doubling as a sendoff for the popular locals’ joint. Moe’s had been operating in Vail since 2005 or 2006 and was the first storefront operations before expanding as a chain across 16 states.
The cause of the closure? Mainly staffing issues. As affordable housing becomes increasingly difficult to find in Eagle County, labor shortages have become increasingly prevalent.
Owners Jeff Kennedy and Ben Gilbert continue to pursue expanding the chain and supporting the 53 other Moe’s locations, intending to reach 100 storefronts. Barbeque lovers can still find Moe’s locally in Eagle.
New tavern in beloved Bonfire space
The building that formerly housed Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, which closed in November 2021, reopened its doors as Second Street Tavern in August. Second Street Tavern, owned by Eagle local Brian Kunkel, serves a full menu of drinks in a community-driven atmosphere. Although the space has no kitchen, food can be purchased from a food truck around the back of the restaurant.
The vision for Second Street is to provide a comfortable place for locals and those who might feel priced out by expensive restaurants throughout the county to gather and feel a sense of community.
Resurrection of the Minturn Saloon
The Minturn Saloon reopened under new ownership in September after being purchased by local restauranteurs Anthony and Connie Mazza in December 2021. been remodeling and refining the building constructed in 1901 which is one of the oldest structures in town
The Vail Daily is counting down the 10 most-read stories of 2023.
No. 10 – Wildfire shuts down I-70
No. 9 – Avon, Vail parking controversies
No. 8 – Businesses opening (and reopening) in the valley
No. 7 – coming tomorrow
No. 6 – Dec. 26
No. 5 – Dec. 27
No. 4 – Dec. 28
No. 3 – Dec. 29
No. 2 – Dec. 30
No. 1 – Dec. 31
During the remodel of the historic building, which was constructed in 1901, every effort was made to preserve the decor, the menu and the history of the local watering hole. Look for traditional margaritas and guacamole, as well as innovations such as blue corn enchiladas with bison and butternut squash.
“I know it’s a remodel, but I call it a resurrection,” Anthony Mazza said. “Honestly, the universe intended for us to be here. Connie and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here, she’s been coming here since she was a child and one of her brothers is one of our investors. The history of this place isn’t only felt by us, but by the community — and we felt obligated to save it.”
One family brings a taste of Mexico to Eagle
Canela Coffee and Pastry, a family-owned and run café, opened in Eagle in November. Husband and wife team Chef Rocky and Rosy Gonzales, who both have over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry own the café, which serves specialty sandwiches, crepes, and coffee, including the Mexican specialty coffee drink café de olla.
Their daughter, Chef Gonzales, a professional pastry chef, creates all the shop’s pastries, and their other daughter, Cindy, runs Canela’s social media and marketing.
Canela Coffee and Pastry is designed to be a space for people to gather, and for the community to utilize as a resource.
Family legacy continues with new restaurant in Vail Village
Drew Riley, son of Los Amigos and Russell’s owner Ron Riley, is continuing the family legacy with First Chair, a fast-casual bar and restaurant located steps from Gondola One that opened in December.
First Chair serves all three meals, plus apres ski snacks and drinks, with a modern twist. One can find a biscuits and gravy breakfast burrito or a warm chocolate chip cookie en route to or from the slopes, or purchase a membership at the bar for discounted drinks between 8 and 10 p.m.
Riley created the concept for the bar after seeing how successful the outdoor bar at Los Amigos became when implemented during the pandemic. First Chair gets avid skiers and snowboarders fast meals through an offsite kitchen based in Denver, with the food reheated and served onsite.
Wild Sage owners take over Boneyard space
The space that formerly housed the Boneyard in Eagle will be reinvigorated as the Capitol Public House in the new year.
Glowacki owns the Drunken Goat and the Cut in Edwards, and Glowacki and Nelson are managing partners in Wild Sage. Nelson will be overseeing the kitchens of both Wild Sage and the Capitol Public House, which are across the street from each other in Eagle Ranch.
The Capitol Public House menu will include elevated bar food and an extensive whiskey and bourbon selection.