July 2015
Chuck 's Reviews
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81632.
LARKSPUR RESTAURANT & BAR The decor at Larkspur Restaurant is inviting and contemporary. The menu features New American cuisine, which is a combination of fusion and California cooking. It features significant creative use of in-season produce and sauces. The Boston bib salad with avocado, sunflower seeds and Danish blue cheese appetizer and the certified organic free-range chicken entrée are two of the most popular items on the menu. With 7,500 bottles of wine in their cellar, you'll have no problem finding a great wine to pair with your dinner. If you're a Pinot Noir lover, they have some excellent selections from the California Russian River Valley. These include wines from the exclusive boutique vineyards of Paul Hobbs, Rochilli and Williams Selyem. The dress code is casual. Larkspur Restaurant, 458 Vail Valley Dr. Vail, CO, 81657, Tel: 970-479-8050.
UP, UP AND AWAY Merlin of Camelot Balloons picked us up and drove the 30 miles to his staging area near the Eagle County Airport. Two balloons were being inflated, which is interesting to watch. Those gondola wicker baskets can carry four to eight passengers. My Captain, Rocky Sullivan, has been flying balloons for over 18 years. These guys know their stuff. Merlin is an FAA-certified instructor, who trained around the world with ballooning record-breaker Steve Fossett. It's a little scary at first when the balloon lifts off the ground. It's a surreal experience and you may find yourself holding on tight for a few minutes. But soon, it's peaceful and calming to be floating 1,200 feet above the ground in the Rocky Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking. The flight lasts an hour and chase vehicles follow each balloon. There's no set flight plan, since Mother Nature controls the drift. Camelot has performed hot air balloon weddings and many a passenger has popped the question, too. Not so long ago, an adventuresome couple even joined the Mile High Club on a flight. We all got a good chuckle out of that story. Excursion flights for adults start at $275; $225 for children. Camelot Balloons, Inc., P.O. Box 1896, Vail, Colorado, 81658, Tel: 800-785-4743.
THE PINES LODGE As a guest, you'll have access to the Beaver Creek and Red Sky golf clubs, which are two of the finest tracks in the area. During your stay you can also take advantage of some great amenities such as the in-room massage, concierge service, fitness center, outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi. If you're driving your own vehicle and would like to save the $18 per day parking fee, then self-park at the Beaver Creek entrance and take the complimentary resort shuttle. Valet parking is also available. If you're without a car, the resort was running a great test drive program with Volvo. It enabled the use of a complimentary Volvo during your stay, so you might want to look into that option as well. The scale of this property isn't really apparent due to the fact that it was built into the side of the Scott Hill Road. The entrance is a semi-circular drive, protected by a portico. The front desk is located off the lobby to the left and the room elevators are located opposite the lounge to the right. Use the elevator bank on the left side to gain access to your floor; it's more reliable.The property has 60 guest rooms, deluxe condominiums and town homes. The rooms are equipped with complimentary high-speed Internet access, refrigerators, CD players and coffee makers stocked with Starbucks coffee. The Superior Room I stayed in had a king bed with a firm mattress and French doors that opened to a small balcony that overlooked the resort. The bathroom had .... |
