Sweet Basil — Restaurant in Vail

We have visited Sweet Basil multiple times, and we were excited to bring our friends from out of town here for a nice birthday dinner. The food was very good to great — though not quite as good as it typically has been on our previous visits, but the service and drinks were quite a let down.

Sweet Basil isn’t necessarily known for their drink program, but we would have expected some more inventive or well-executed drinks for a Michelin guide restaurant. We ordered multiple rounds, and the “better” drinks we received were very simple in taste and presentation, and frankly drinks you could easily find/replicate at most bars or restaurants with a slightly elevated drink program. We did send back a drink we ordered after trying it, as none of the ingredients mentioned on the menu were perceivable in the drink we received. It just tasted of the main spirit, and nothing else. They did remove it and allow for a different replacement drink.

What was really the let-down of this experience was the service. Again, something that should be at the forefront of focus for a Michelin guide restaurant. Our server wasn’t necessarily personable or helpful, and more of just a “what would you like to order” type of server. This situation is fine on its own, but certainly doesn’t do anything to elevate a dining experience. However our server became progressively more unpleasant throughout the evening. As they were setting the table/silverware in preparation for the next course of food, the server was literally dropping/tossing the silverware on the table. As in it was tossed at the table, smacked against it, and sliding along the table after it landed. Honestly shocked me that anyone at any restaurant would do this, let alone a Michelin guide restaurant.

Also, in relation to the drink which we asked to be sent back that was mentioned above, when telling our server that it didn’t taste of any of the noted ingredients, they replied and said “I’ll go have the bartender taste this, and he will let me know if it tastes off. Then we can figure out what we can do about this.” I’m sorry, but if someone says the drink doesn’t taste remotely as described, I would probably first make some comment along the lines of saying sorry/it’s unfortunate it didn’t live up to expectations, and make a more positive comment towards remedying the situation. Not acting standoffish and saying you’ll go see ask the bartender’s thoughts and then “see what can be done.” Just a totally oppositional attitude towards the customer.

The reservation was also booked with note of it being for a birthday. A member of our party then also walked to the hostess stand during the middle of our meal, and confirmed that the birthday was noted (which it was). Even after multiple confirmations, there was nothing special done. We even ordered a dessert, and there was no candle/note/mention of a birthday. I don’t know what more a customer could do to give the restaurant an opportunity to do something beyond confirming multiple times that they’re aware of the reason for the dinner.

Overall a pretty disappointing experience on the service front. Even with good food, which as I mentioned seemed of slightly lower quality than previous visits, the multiple service issues truly gives me pause on any interest in returning. Totally subpar for any fine dining restaurant, let alone a...

I wanted to try Sweet Basil while in Vail. Even though I waited until the day before to book, there were plenty of open reservations. We arrived early and were seated immediately, showcasing their flexibility with seating options.

Service & Atmosphere

Our server, Jenny, was fantastic—knowledgeable, passionate about food, and able to relate to us on a personal level. I could tell they were trying not to “nerd out” too much when answering our menu questions, displaying genuine enthusiasm.

The restaurant’s atmosphere was another standout. At first, I didn’t notice the music, but as I ate, I suddenly became aware of its intensity, which amplified the experience. Their time-slot strategy seems to create an optimal dining environment.

Drinks

I ordered a margarita and was given the option for a less sweet version. I accidentally deferred my preference and forgot to circle back, but it was not too sweet almost as if the server read my mind.

Appetizers

We started with caviar (first time trying it anywhere) and oysters. The caviar paired beautifully with the crème frâiche, while the oysters stood out with their unique combination of Serranos, pineapple curd, and pineapple-ginger sauce—far from the typical oyster experience.

Main Course

Jenny informed us of a duck special with duck-fat fries, but I had already set my sights, on the Lombardi Bros Burger from the lunch menu. I ordered it medium, as suggested.

The burger had a perfect sear, creating a very thin, delicate crunch—almost like the crust of a crème brûlée—before reaching the exactly medium center. The flavors of the marrow aioli, caramelized onion jam, and NY cheddar layered together beautifully while still maintaining their individuality. I found myself actually closing my eyes, savoring every bite. It doesn’t come on a fancy bun, yet it is superior.

Dessert

We ordered two desserts: • Cherry Bombe – Visually stunning, with cherry dust across half the plate. The way the sorbet was wrapped and contained within the other layers surprised me. • Lemon & Fennel – The sorbet had a delicate balance of lemon and basil. When a bite is taken with all components present, a unique experience unfolds. The sorbet and granita melt into the curd and crumble, leaving only the crumble at the end (possibly stuck to your teeth). My wife preferred the Cherry Bombe, but I respected the boldness and out of the box nature of the Lemon & Fennel—it’s unlike anything at most restaurants.

Final Thoughts

Superior burger, great drinks, and a professional yet relatable staff. The experience at Sweet Basil is a mix of artistry, precision, and thoughtful execution....

If you want to ruin your son's birthday dinner, go to Sweet Basil's NOT sweet anymore. I cannot for the life of me understand how this restaurant gets any positive reviews! Once my fav, now 🤮. Ridiculously high prices for ridiculously TINY portions. My husband was still hungry when we arrived home. Two meals that should have been served hot were luke warm. Can't include the third dinner salad, since it was naturally cold however, the LARGE as opposed to the small salad was ordered. Not enough salad to keep a bird alive. My son ordered the pork chop. Which the server responded with, "we always make the the pork chop temperature medium". The pork chop arrived well done. I asked the waiter to re-warm it. My son expressed concern to the waiter that if he takes the chop back to kitchen and warms it, it would become dry. The waiter was insistent. The pork chop was returned DRY. To be fair, the waiter asked my son if he'd like to try something else and my son at that point did not want to bother. My miniscule serving of gooey chicken also needed to be reheated. The three of us were dining (no, "eating") out of sinc. This event was quickly becoming a disaster. The menu was EXTREMELY LIMITED. Not even a duck dish on the menu. It had been discussed that the restaurant would bring a complimentary birthday desert, we ordered the desert along with an additional desert and were charged for both. The waiter did subtract it from the bill after I inquired. But, why did I even have to mention it? The waiter knew full well that there was a birthday at the table as he wished my son, "happy birthday ". I know times are tough and the world is rapidly changing but still Sweet Basil's had "penny pincher" written all over the restaurant. It should be noted that I'm local not a tourist passing through. Even though it should not matter to the restaurant. Word of mouth is powerful. I was charged a $75 deposit for the reservation as if we were dining at Le Circ. Ha. Disappointing all around. I was embarrassed in front of my family that I chose such an awful restaurant. Now observe, the owner or manager will respond to this review with a handful of SNARKY remarks as seems to be their common practice for anyone leaving a negative review. That alone should tell you about the restaurant. Save your time, save your money. There are so many GOOD choices in Vail......