Have you noticed that restaurants around Aspen are increasingly offering bar menus? I have.

I try to eat out once a week. Every Friday is officially “date night.” One of the most common complaints you hear these days is that local restaurants are too expensive. Yes, that’s true, some are very expensive. But such a blanket statement is an insult to the numerous affordable alternatives that exist. If you don’t know about these inexpensive alternatives, you’re just lazy. Maybe you should let local foodie extraordinaire Amanda of Aspen Scoop walk you through the process.

The new restaurants in Aspen today offer a top-notch dining experience. The city’s multicultural chefs are so talented. In the course of a day in Aspen, you can take a culinary trip around the world, from Argentina (empanadas) to Zimbabwe (African stew). Aspen’s restaurants are a fondue of culture, design, creativity, flair and flavor. Even our hospital cafeteria is known for its respectable meals.

There used to be more gas stations in Aspen than there were sushi bars. Now there are more sushi bars than there were gas stations. There are three different classes of sushi in Aspen: restaurant sushi, supermarket sushi, and prison sushi.

“I’m not going into town anymore.” It’s a sad refrain I seem to hear a lot lately. I think to myself: Seriously? Why not? You live here and you don’t go into town? Watch out – that’s how hoarding and hermitism start. You can’t proclaim in one breath that you’re intentionally sitting on the sidelines and in the next lament the loss of community. When you live here, it seems to be en vogue to denigrate Aspen. It still sounds silly to me.

Hey, I miss La Cocina, the Chart House, and the old Red Onion as much as anyone, but they all have viable replacements. No more Goldilocks syndrome of “We want a new restaurant nearby, but not this one!” Instead of complaining about losing a place, try a new one. I won’t name any specific restaurants for fear of missing one. Check the paper to see who’s advertising. You’ll have to put in some work, do some research, do some culinary experimentation. Get to know the staff, the chef, the owner, and maybe find a favorite waiter or bartender. Build a relationship.

Do you really want to save money when eating out in Aspen? Come drunk. Think of all the money you’ll save on alcohol. If you’re not drinking, eat a handful of raw rice before you go out. Or just order appetizers and then go to New York Pizza.

Another criticism is that restaurants are too crowded and you can’t make reservations anywhere. Are you new? That was actually an argument from the airport opponents. Reservations?! We don’t need stinking reservations! Just go to any restaurant and politely ask to be seated at the bar. One of the biggest criticisms in recent years has been that restaurants no longer have a bar menu. Apparently everyone has listened and now has bar menus because I have yet to find a local restaurant with a bar that doesn’t have a bar menu, daily specials, or a nice happy hour.

These days, I check when a restaurant opens and go in at that exact time. Generally, the earlier you eat, the better the service and the fresher the staff. I used to find it amusing how many older people would line up at Il Poggio in Snowmass just before it opened. Now I’m that kind of guy. Eating out and being in bed by 9 p.m. with my reading glasses on. That’s my new idea of ​​a perfect night out in Aspen. If you see me loitering downtown after dark, call my wife or the police; something has gone seriously wrong.

The main reason I enjoy eating at the bar is the social aspect. All it takes to make a human connection is an introduction and a few questions. Chances are you’ll discover a commonality or connection with a stranger that you didn’t expect, be it geographical, work-related, travel-related, collegiate, sports-related, or hobby-related. I’ve had some of the most interesting conversations with complete strangers sitting at the bar.

I want to give the reader a challenge: Pick a new downtown restaurant you’ve never tried before and go eat with your partner or a friend. When you find yourself reaching for the low-hanging, rotten fruit by complaining about everything from prices to crowds, think about what the local restaurants are up against with their exorbitant rents, labor shortages, and the complexities of doing business in Aspen.

I grew up in local restaurants. What little innocence I had left as a senior at Aspen High School was soon destroyed in the alleys behind the mall and restaurant strip. I am now a huge fan of Aspen’s diverse and robust dining landscape, both in terms of offerings and prices. I am still fascinated by the basic concept of people cooking and bringing you food. I want to be remembered as someone who tipped excellently.

Now that the fever of summer is over, find a new restaurant and see what the fuss is all about. Your taste buds will thank you. Cheers to all the local restaurant owners who have brought back bar menus, and a big thank you to the hardworking chefs, bartenders, dishwashers and servers who have made Aspen a true foodie town.