Aspen Social Club

It's easy to slam a themed resto for being more about sizzle than substance, but when the theme is "rustic", that substance would be animal poop, and mucho. Imparting only the rustic you want, Aspen Social Club.

Decked out with wood paneled walls, multi-colored infinity mirrors reflecting birch trees, and a concave faux antler-chandelier, ASC's sleek mod-loggishness is coincidentally brought to you by the guys behind...that other place called Aspen. A set of gold-painted, 10pt-buck antlers lord over the main bar, which specializes in premium tequilas (Cabo Wabo, Partida, etc) plus Colorado-themed cocktails like the Baileys and Chivas "Biff" -- Hunter S. Thompson's fave, before he made like a tree and shot himself in the face. A nooked and banquetted hallway leads to the main dining room, where ASC's slinging haute-woodsman grub, e.g., pan-fried brook trout tacos w/ spicy slaw, skewered Colorado lamb "lollipops", and bison sliders -- you know you've made it off the endangered list when chefs can legally pat you into an adorable miniature burger snack.

ASC's open now for drinks only, and opens for full-service next Tuesday -- but anyone who slams a place for only getting them drunk is full of it.