{"id":2453615,"date":"2020-01-23T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/?p=319598"},"modified":"2020-01-23T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T19:00:00","slug":"the-evolution-of-food-to-fuel-the-w-aspen-social-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/the-evolution-of-food-to-fuel-the-w-aspen-social-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"The evolution of food to fuel the W Aspen social scene"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.5964523281596\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-319598-226\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-819x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Tae Westcott | Tuna crudo with jalape\u00f1o and yuzu.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>Tuna crudo with jalape\u00f1o and yuzu.<\/strong><br \/>Tae Westcott<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-819x1024.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Tuna crudo with jalape\u00f1o and yuzu.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-1-1024x780.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Tae Westcott | Buttermilk cauliflower bites with soy Buffalo sauce have been the sharing menu MVP item.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Buttermilk cauliflower bites with soy Buffalo sauce have been the sharing menu MVP item.<\/strong><br \/>Tae Westcott<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-1-1024x780.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Buttermilk cauliflower bites with soy Buffalo sauce have been the sharing menu MVP item.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-2-1024x788.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Tae Westcott | Pan-seared shrimp in a roasted garlic-Chenin blanc sauce with grilled sourdough bread.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>Pan-seared shrimp in a roasted garlic-Chenin blanc sauce with grilled sourdough bread.<\/strong><br \/>Tae Westcott<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-2-1024x788.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Pan-seared shrimp in a roasted garlic-Chenin blanc sauce with grilled sourdough bread.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-3-1024x657.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy of the W Aspen | The Living Room at the W.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>The Living Room at the W.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy of the W Aspen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-3-1024x657.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"The Living Room at the W.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-4-683x1024.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Photo by Nick Tininenko | CHef Jacque Siao\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>CHef Jacque Siao<\/strong><br \/>Photo by Nick Tininenko<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-4-683x1024.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"CHef Jacque Siao\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-5-1024x684.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Getty Images\/iStockphoto | iStockphoto | Group of dance lovers enjoying disco in nightclub\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>Group of dance lovers enjoying disco in nightclub<\/strong><br \/>Getty Images\/iStockphoto | iStockphoto<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/01\/food-atw-012320-5-5-1024x684.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Group of dance lovers enjoying disco in nightclub\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/party-on\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/party-on\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Go-go dancers clad in candy-colored onesies unzipped gyrate above partygoers in ski gear and swimsuits. A pair of Swedish DJs in metallic spandex orchestrate futuristic ambience from a silver nugget sound booth. A freewheeling parade of costumed alter egos celebrate Aspen Halloween with shouts and fist pumps. From combat boots paired with fluffy robes to sequined jumpsuits, furry suits and wigs worn just because, crowds at the W Aspen have at times been flashy and full of energy. As anyone who has attempted to navigate through writhing bodies toward the bar or photo booth might wonder: who\u2019s even thinking about food?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Since the W Aspen opened in August, executive chef Jacque Siao has studied the vibe of the property\u2019s various venues, including the 8,000-square-foot rooftop Wet Deck; the second-floor Living Room with its own outdoor patio; and the sunken, cave-like 39 Degrees lounge, to determine how to best feed these people. Now, as X Games kicks off its 18th season in Aspen with an official bash hosted by gold medalist Alex Ferreira on Jan. 22, Siao is prepped to serve what revelers want.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cIt\u2019s a socializing scene, so (mostly) appetizers to share with a group of friends,\u201d says Siao, who revamped W Aspen menus to reflect these preferences. The Living Room\u2019s all-day menu currently features nearly a dozen plates of casual \u201csnacky stuff,\u201d including popular mainstays such as pulled chicken loaded nachos and green curry mussels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Catching on fast: charred green beans with black garlic aioli; tuna crudo with yuzu pearls and slivered jalapeno; dips, wings and veal-pork-beef Swedish meatballs with apple butter gastrique, celery root pur\u00e9e, maitake mushrooms and lingonberry jam. MVP right now: buttermilk-soaked cauliflower, fried until crispy and coated in soy-Buffalo glaze. Three expansive platters of cheese and charcuterie are available on this all-day menu, as well as salads, and broccoli-cheddar soup served with artisanal sourdough bread, until 10 p.m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cIt\u2019s about experiencing the scene,\u201d Siao reiterates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Indeed, the W Aspen\u2019s blowout New Year\u2019s Eve bash featured mountains of crab legs, shrimp cocktail and wagyu beef skewers, but merrymakers mostly focused on the literal tower of G.H. Mumm Champagne that filled an entire corner of a room. Legendary West Hollywood watering hole and entertainment venue The Abbey Food &amp; Bar hosted a flamboyant weekend pop-up on the Wet Deck during Aspen Gay Ski Week; mirroring the original venue, food was not the draw.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Previous restaurants at which Siao has worked were mostly ski-in, ski-out, \u201cso it was breakfast, lunch and dinner, day in day out,\u201d Siao says. \u201cHere we\u2019re not in that position. We have a heavy flow in breakfast\u2026apr\u00e8s and dinner. Lunch is kind of mellow\u2026sandwiches and bowls. The snow has been great, so everyone wants to be on the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Fast, nutritious, midday meals are made in bowls: Ahi tuna, shrimp tempura and avocado over rice with accouterments, called the \u201cJ Bowl\u201d; warm salmon over rice noodles with raw vegetables and charred onion and miso dressing; or the Super Food Bowl with hibiscus-infused barley and quinoa, roasted beets, grapefruit vinaigrette and goat cheese fondue. Siao\u2019s new miso-ginger ramen boasts broth with charred, sweet flavor, double-aged soy, orange- and apple cider vinegar-cured pork belly, a soft poached egg, pickled carrots, scallions, chiles, \u201cthe whole works.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Aside from a handful of dinner entr\u00e9es, everything else is sharable, including the epic FnK (\u201cfork and knife\u201d) Burger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cYou literally can\u2019t eat it with your hands: double patty, double bacon, double cheese, short ribs, barbecue sauce, secret sauce\u2026it is a MONSTER!\u201d the chef says. \u201cThe goal is to have healthy options and indulgence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Siao, plus three sous chefs and a kitchen team of 20, has learned that attracting diners is largely weather-based. When a blizzard engulfs our hamlet, folks trade the Wet Deck for the cozy bubble that is the Living Room. Likewise, \u201cHot Box\u201d specials from a Traeger smoker-grill that lives on the second-level patio will resume in summer when guests feel compelled to hang outdoors. Soon, Siao hopes to offer grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and coffee in collaboration with Bitsy Caravan, which offered complimentary hot chocolate during the LGBT debauchery last weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">39 Degrees, meanwhile, has yet to draw the buzz of its namesake predecessor at the Sky Hotel. Fine, Siao says: 39 Degrees will be reimagined as a main spot for intimate culinary experiences, such as themed dinners and food and cocktail pairings, beginning in February or March.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">As with any new property\u2014Aspen\u2019s first new luxury hotel construction in more than two decades, especially\u2014adjustments are evolving. And chef Siao is taking culinary cues to heart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cUp here is the place to be,\u201d Siao quips, perched in the Living Room on a Thursday afternoon among a blooming apr\u00e8s-ski crowd. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing that people are more attracted to this space. No one\u2019s really hanging out at midnight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\"><span><em><a href=\"mailto:amandaraewashere@gmail.com\">amandaraewashere@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/party-on\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tuna crudo with jalape\u00f1o and yuzu.Tae Westcott Buttermilk cauliflower bites with soy Buffalo sauce have been the sharing menu MVP item.Tae Westcott Pan-seared shrimp in a roasted garlic-Chenin blanc sauce with grilled sourdough bread.Tae Westcott The Living Room at the W.Courtesy of the W Aspen CHef Jacque SiaoPhoto by Nick Tininenko Group of dance lovers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2453615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-18 19:32:05","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2453615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2453615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2453615\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2453615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2453615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2453615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}