The Divine Dish

Buffalos Restaurant Opens at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Posted on Jan 08, 2014 under Archives | No Comment

Last month, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch unveiled a brand new restaurant and lounge in addition to upgraded guest rooms, expansion of their unique ski-in, ski-out experience and updated spa treatment and relaxation areas.

 

The new Buffalos restaurant features a seasonal menu focused on local ingredients, specifically showcasing grass-fed buffalo and bison dishes.  Guests can enjoy buffalo steak and eggs, bison burgers, bison chili, bison tartare, bison sheppard’s pie, and bison ribeye in addition to a variety of entrees including rack of lamb, seared sea bass and steamed mussels.  Here are some of the items I sampled while I was there.

We started with appetizers of bison tartare with mustard, capers and a quail egg, a bison salad and buffalo wings.

Main courses included a starting entree of a lovely ranch lamb chop with baby carrots and rosemary.

We also were served a bison shepherd’s pie with ugly goat potatoes, gravy, carrots, peas and mushrooms.  This was my fave of the night.

We also enjoyed Little Snake River mountain trout with a couscous salad and champagne vinaigrette and a bison ribeye with beer battered onion rings.

In addition to highlighting bison dishes, another unique feature of the restaurant is their Colorado crafted draught and bottled beer program featuring the finest locally created beers.  Diners can enjoy a beer paired meal or opt to order from the restaurant’s specialty hand-crafted cocktail menu.

Design elements of the restaurant include an open kitchen, carved rock pillars and a wooden beamed ceiling.  All of the items Chef Daniel Bouza served us were fantastic.

The new exclusive Bachelors Lounge also opened in December, offering guests a place to relax while enjoying imported cigars, hookahs and signature cocktails in the indoor area next to a large modern fireplace or al fresco in the covered and heated smoking lounge.  Cozy and comfortable outside seating provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, while the inside area offers live music.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is also home to Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, offering new seasonal winter menus as well a chef’s multi-course tasting menu.  Here is what I sampled when I visited.

Appetizers include a fresh tuna and hamachi sashimi, a spicy tuna tartare with avocado, ginger, and sesame wonton chips, and a mixed green salad with apples, fennel, blue cheese and candied walnuts.

 

Our main courses included wild Alaskan King Salmon with pancetta, clams, fennel and a leek puree, mushroom agnolotti with black truffle, goat cheese, mascarpone and parmesan, and Wagyu short ribs with toasted farro and winter root vegetables.  All dishes were outstanding, with our fave of the night being the incredible short ribs.

Dessert was a traditional Kaiserschmarren, a pancake with strawberry topping.

The resort’s renovated look embraces the “parkitecture” design style inspired by the great mountain lodges of the Western United States, including earth tones, contemporary artwork and sophisticated furnishings.  The updated design in the impressive rustic Great Room centers around a three-story stone, wood-burning fireplace and throughout the 180-guest rooms and suites.

 

The large open club room showcases food and drink options throughout the day and provides a nice relaxation area for Club guests.

The resort has also expanded their renowned ski valet services located steps away from ski lifts.  Guests can use the ski valet to pre-warm boots and prep skis so equipment is ready to go when needed.  At the end of the day, guests equipment is cleaned and stored.  Apres ski,  visiotrs can enjoy the outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi, firepit and gourmet s’mores.

 

The award-winning spa has also been refreshed with updated treatment rooms and relaxation areas, centered by the rock-lined grottos featuring steam, sauna and hot and cold plunge areas.  For a perfect winter getaway, head to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, reservations at 970.748.6200 or http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/BachelorGulch/Default.htm.