Located at Four Seasons Vail, Tavernetta Vail is the new flagship restaurant of the property, offering a menu that explores the whole of Italy, capturing the rich flavours of the north and the vibrant tastes of the south, while honouring the mountain culture and diverse cuisine of the country’s Alpine regions. It is Frasca Hospitality Group’s first foray outside of the Denver Metropolitan Area, providing a transportive, refined, yet accessible experience to not only Four Seasons Vail, but the heart of Vail Village, bringing a taste of La Dolce Vita to the resort and community at large.
Chef de Cuisine Ethan Diamant oversees the Italian-inspired menu, while Carlin Karr, the group’s Wine and Beverage Director, and Tavernetta Vail’s Senior Sommelier Rylan Bonaccorsi direct the restaurant’s Italian-focused wine and spirits program. Jay Havey, who previously managed Flame at Four Seasons Vail, serves as Tavernetta Vail’s General Manager and is supported by Assistant Manager Michael Katzen. Combining Havey’s experience in Vail with Diamant, Bonaccorsi, and Katzen’s experience working in numerous Frasca Hospitality Group restaurants, this team is proud to execute the group’s James Beard Award-winning and Michelin star-recognized level of hospitality and excellence at the one Michelin key Four Seasons property in Vail.
Bobby Stuckey, co-founder of Frasca Hospitality Group and Master Sommelier, and Jerome Arribas, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Vail, are delighted about the partnership. “Our team at Frasca Hospitality Group is humbled and honoured to bring Tavernetta Vail to life in partnership with Four Seasons Vail. It’s been an incredible month of training and melding their team with ours. We’re deeply proud to join the vibrant hospitality community of the Vail Valley and are excited to welcome both new and returning guests to share in this journey with us,” says Stuckey.
Arribas similarly agrees: “The team at Four Seasons Vail is thrilled to partner with Bobby and Frasca Hospitality Group to introduce this world-class restaurant to our year-round destination. This partnership elevates the overall guest experience and we could not be happier to have Tavernetta Vail under our roof here at Four Seasons Vail.”
Inspired by its location, Tavernetta Vail embodies Sprezzatura Alpina – an effortless yet thoughtful and detailed approach towards the dining experience – giving the restaurant a sense of easy, timeless elegance. Diamant’s menu is exemplified by tasteful iterations of Italian favourites, including Linguini with Maine Lobster, Calabrian Chile, Preserved Tomato, and Celery; Vitello Tonnato, Roasted Veal with Tonnato Sauce, Caper and Finger Lime; and Manzo, New York Strip Steak with Cauliflower and Marsala Black Truffle Sauce.
Additional menu highlights include:
- Fluke Crudo lightly cured with Citrus, Bergamot and Hazelnut
- Canederli di Speck, Italian bread dumplings in Parmigiano-Prosciutto Brodo with Speck and Smoked Ricotta
- Carnaroli Rice Risotto with 24-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar
- Anatra, seared Duck Breast and Confit Leg with Caramelized Sunchoke Puree and Huckleberry Mostarda
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Dry-Aged 52-oz Porterhouse with Seasonal Contorni
“At Tavernetta Vail, our menu draws inspiration from the diverse culinary traditions across Italy, with a special emphasis on the flavours of northern Italy, resonant with our mountain setting,” says Diamant. “Alpine-inspired Italian cuisine, while perhaps less familiar than other Italian regions, embodies a comforting warmth and genuine hospitality that we’re thrilled to bring to life. Partnering with local purveyors, I’m excited to work with our team to craft dishes that celebrate our regional ingredients, sharing our passion for Italian cuisine and world-class hospitality with the Vail community.”
Under the direction of Studio Collective, the award-winning Venice, California-based design group, and Denver-based OZ Architects, the 150-seat space underwent a comprehensive renovation. The restaurant now features a new bar and lounge as well as cozy booth seating ideal for après-ski dining or a morning bite before a day of adventuring. A renovated private dining room anchors the farthest end of the restaurant, ideal for business dinners, family gatherings, and milestone life events. Other furnishings, including a “spritz window” akin to Florence’s beloved wine windows, enhance the restaurant’s Italian spirit. Additional design touches such as the hand-painted wood-beamed ceiling and custom glass entryway incorporate delicate details, underscoring the restaurant’s considered craftsmanship with nods to renowned Italian architect Gio Ponti.
Tavernetta Vail is open daily for dinner starting at 5:00 pm, with breakfast scheduled to start December 17, 2024 and Après Ski service scheduled to begin January 9, 2025. The restaurant is located on the third floor of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail at One Vail Rd, Vail, Colorado 81657.
Tags: Ethan Diamant, Frasca Hospitality Group, Four Seasons Resorts