Betula Aspen — Restaurant in Aspen

Betula, a perennial gem, consistently delivers an exceptional dining experience that transcends geographical boundaries. From my days in Pitkin County to my current residence in the Bay Area, returning to Betula is a journey marked by pleasure and assurance that they remain at the pinnacle of their craft.

From the moment you ascend the stairs of their Cooper Avenue abode, a sense of alluring ambiance envelops you. The front-of-house team, well-versed in the art of hospitality, exudes professionalism and expertise. Their intimate knowledge of the menu, mixology, and wine selection is readily apparent, and they unfailingly offer insightful recommendations to enhance your dining voyage.

Betula's culinary prowess shines through, consistently delivering excellence regardless of the season. Whether you visit during the tranquil off-season or the bustling peak period, the kitchen consistently churns out high-quality dishes that never fail to impress.

For the discerning palate, the Tuna Ceviche and Tuna Tacos are non-negotiable must-tries. Crafted from impeccably fresh, top-tier ingredients, they are a testament to Betula's commitment to quality.

The Roasted Pekin Duck Magret and the Seared Chilean Sea Bass stand as paragons of culinary perfection. Executed with precision, these dishes showcase the chef's artistry in achieving exquisite flavors and textures.

Betula's wine selection is expansive and well-curated, mirroring the same attention to detail found in their mixology offerings. Whether your preference leans toward wine or cocktails, there's something to satisfy every palate.

Each visit to Betula beckons hours of indulgence, thanks to an ambiance that ranks among the finest in the country. It effortlessly invites you to linger, and before you know it, several hours have elapsed. Remarkably, the attentive staff never hurries you along or imposes any sense of haste, allowing you to savor every moment at your own pace.

During my most recent visit, both the Chef and Sous Chef graced my table with their presence, initiating a stimulating and engaging conversation. As a gesture of their hospitality, they generously presented our table with a selection of complimentary dishes, a gesture that was truly appreciated and underscored their commitment to culinary excellence.

In conclusion, Betula stands as a beacon of gastronomic artistry, delivering consistently outstanding cuisine in an inviting and unpretentious atmosphere. It is a destination that beckons repeat visits, leaving an indelible mark on both the palate...

A Stark Contrast: Betula, Aspen - Then and Now

Reflecting on my recent visit to Betula in Aspen, the contrast to my first experience there two years ago couldn't be more stark. What was once an amazing dining experience has unfortunately deteriorated in both quality and service.

Two years ago, Betula was a highlight of my Aspen visit. The food was exceptional, the atmosphere vibrant yet inviting, and the service impeccable. This fond memory made my recent visit all the more disappointing.

The heart of palm salad, a pricey specialty at $50, failed to live up to its cost, delivering an underwhelming experience. This was a surprising deviation from the culinary excellence I remembered.

The main courses continued this downward trend. The special duck, previously cooked to perfection, was now undercooked and rubbery. The veal chop, a dish I had enjoyed before, was served raw – a significant and concerning departure from the high standards Betula once upheld.

Compounding these culinary letdowns was the marked change in service quality. The waitress’s flippant attitude was a far cry from the warm and professional service that had previously enhanced the dining experience. The constant jostling by servers throughout the meal only added to the discomfort.

The ambiance, too, has shifted. The previously refined and engaging atmosphere has given way to an overly commercial setting, dominated by loud house music that seemed more about creating a trendy scene than complementing a fine dining experience.

In conclusion, Betula, once a gem in Aspen’s culinary scene, seems to have lost the essence of what made it special. From outstanding to disappointing, this recent visit was a clear indicator of how much can change over time. It serves as a reminder that maintaining consistency is key in the restaurant industry, and unfortunately, Betula has not managed to uphold the high standards...

Walked into this stuffy loud restaurant and was immediately greeted with rude staff who would turn us away when we asked to order appetizers first to decide on what we would like to eat saying she would not because she preferred to take our order all together. After this we were sent a amuse-bouche and it was taken away in the middle of us eating it. At this point the server was being so rude that we called the manager who never came. They did the same with the wine… next came the food… where do i even begin, my party ordered the angus beef dish, the mushroom soup, and the salmon dish, all incredibly expensive and all incredibly bland. First was the mushroom soup which we had to open the salt shaker to dump salt into to even make it remotely edible, even then i ate about a third and couldn’t down another spoon, very disappointing. Next the salmon, bland and boring like the mushroom soup and still lacking flavor. The black angus dish was not lacking flavor but instead had the texture of a dog toy, it came with so much fat vessels and veins that half of it was inedible. All of us left 80% of our food on our plates and were never asked about the food or if we need anything else. Next desert, i ordered sorbet for $14 dollars ans got not even half a scoop of regular ice cream, we thought this was a joke, the rest of my table ordered the soufflé which was very good really the only thing we actually ate. We asked for the check and still, an hour and a half later, they could not even send the manager correctly since they never showed up at our table. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS WANNABE “FINE”...