Why do I love restaurant week in Vail?  The official name is Dining at Altitude but is affectionately called Vail Restaurant Week.

Thanks to the hard work of the Vail Chamber we have this additional fall event to look forward to this year!

So why do I like it?  Well, honestly it’s my opportunity to dine at the restaurants I don’t frequent during the winter and summers seasons.

Many of the restaurants participating in Vail Restaurant Week can get a little pricey for most of the locals. I like to have an appetizer, entree, dessert, and libations and that can be a large check.

I can, however, appreciate fantastic food and this is the opportunity I look forward to each year.

The Dining at Altitude event compels me to try new places and new dishes.

As any local knows we tend to hit our favorites and go where we know people.  With this event, I’m forced out of my usual pattern, meet new people and try new restaurants.

After exploring or re-introducing myself to Vail restaurants, I always ask myself, why didn’t I go there sooner? Never fails but that’s the fun part.

The Vail Chamber and Denise Cheng have put together an amazing event this year!  Watch the play by play on these social media options.

Instagram: @livintheblackdiamondlife @visitvail @diningataltitude

Facebook: @livintheblackdiamondlife @diningataltitude @visitvail

Twitter: @diningataltitude @vailchamber

So what’s in it for you to come and stay in Vail and enjoy this week?  Let’s start with the stay.

Here are the local lodging specials for Vail restaurant week.

$20.18 Lodging Specials in Vail, Colorado

ANTLERS AT VAIL

The Dining at Altitude special is 35% off with rates starting at $163.

Located in the Lionshead area along Gore Creek with views of Vail Mountain and an outdoor pool.  We are expecting nice weather so the pool is fantastic and for not so nice weather there is a hot tub.

DESTINATION RESORTS VAIL

Destination Resorts has rates starting at $132.  The savings are up to 40% off all vacation rentals for $20.18.

They have some properties available in the Lionshead area. Check out their website to see what they have to offer.

MONTANEROS IN VAIL

Vacation Rental lodging rates starting at $157/ night.

They are lovely property in the heart of Lionshead within walking distance restaurants, shops, bars, and the Lionshead Gondola.

THE SEBASTIAN VAIL

The $20.18 Special is 25% off a two-night stay for Colorado residents.

The Sebastian is located in West Vail Village.  So it’s out of the main Vail Village but you can easily walk into both main Vail Village and Lionshead.

The Restaurant Specials.

As you know, I like to rate and review things based on the Ski Run Classifications.  View the classifications.

Below I’ve listed what I believe are Black Diamond Special for Vail’s Restaurant Week (dining at altitude).

Black Diamond Specials for Restaurant Week (dining at altitude):

La Tour: 

$20.18 on all entrees and 25% off wine.

La Tour is one of the more expensive restaurants in Vail, but they have delicious food, so you are getting excellent value with this special.

They have a beautiful dining space, outdoor seating or mountain view seating.  The interior dining space is maximized for that outdoor feeling but with a comfortable warming interior with a fireplace.

They have a nice little bar where you can cozy up and have a good glass of wine.

La Tour, located in Vail Village right outside the west side of the Vail parking structure.

Mountain Standard: 

$20.18 entrees and Alaskan King Crab Legs for Two for $20.18, available all day for lunch and dinner!

Mountain Standard is another of the fine dining options in Vail, so you are getting a good value here as well. They have a large bar area where the locals congregate, so it’s often very festive.

I happen to be a fan of the Espresso Martini, but they do have an extensive selection of spirits so you can find something for everyone.  Keith is a bartender there, and he will take good care of you!

Mountain Standard is located in Vail Village along Gore Creek and gives you a nice outdoor seating option with good people watching.

Pivot 62: 

$20.18 for 2 Caesar Salads, 1 Stone Fired Pizza with 2 Red Sangria.

Pivot 62 is one of the newest establishments in Vail, located in the renovated Double Tree hotel in West Vail.

It’s completely different from what it used to be, and I’ve only been there once so I cannot say whether I love the vibe or not.  There are a lot’s tv’s if you are into sports.

Sweet Basil:

The $20.18 special includes,

Chef Select 3 Course lunch for $20.18 (daily for lunch service)
All Dinner Entrees $20.18 (Nightly for dinner service)

One Dozen Oysters for $20.18- (Available all day for lunch and dinner)

Sweet Basil is located in Vail Village and has an outdoor seating in the front and Gore Creek view in the back.

They have an extensive wine list, and you can see their wine selection when you walk past the bar to the river dining section.

Root and Flower: 

$20.18 special is a bottle of prosecco for $20.18, and I know they have good prosecco plus an amazing selection of wine.

Root and Flower is also home to Vail’s best Gin and Tonic!  More on that later!

They are located up from Wild Bills Shop and next to American Ski Exchange.

In the mornings Two Arrows Coffee occupies the same space, and at 4pm the bar staff comes in so have your coffee and transition to your bottle of Prosecco. Read about Two Arrows.

Swiss Chalet:

$20.18 Specials are,

Wiener Schnitzel – Lightly breaded and pan-fried milk-fed Veal, served with warm potato salad and lingonberries.

Raclette – Swiss Raclette cheese served with a medley of potatoes, asparagus, yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers, and balsamic mushrooms.

Vegetarisches Rösti –Vegetable and Potato Rösti Topped with Mozzarella Cheese, Ratatouille Vegetables, Arugula Salad, and Balsamic Reduction.

The Swiss Chalet is the perfect place for a group gathering to enjoy the Raclette; everyone gets the opportunity to dig in and cook what they like to eat.

It’s a traditional Swiss meal and loads of fun with good people.

The Swiss Chalet, located in the Sonnenalpe Hotel.  It’s on the Gore Creek Drive, and the buses drop you off right across the street.

Up the Creek:

$20.18 special is select entrees for $20.18.

Up the Creek is about as close to the river as you can get in Vail!  The full-length windows give diners total views of Gore Creek and surrounding mountains.  They do have outdoor seating along the river as well.

This family-run restaurant has an incredible short rib entree so let’s hope that’s on the menu!

Up the Creek is located in Vail Village along Gore Creek.

Terra Bistro:

The $20.18 special is on ALL entrees.

Terra Bistro is a long time local favorite and is known for spicing up their menu each season.

They offer vegetarian dishes as well as meat and fish. They have the most delicious dessert called the Bittersweet Chocolate Molten which is heaven especially with the right kind of port- happiness in your mouth!

Terra Bistro is usually very busy for this special so I would make reservations in advance.

Terra Bistro, located in Vail Mountain Lodge on the east side of the Vail parking structure.

Vail Chop House:

The $20.18 special is a 3-course dinner special that includes Beet salad, Steak Dianne with wild mushroom Marsala and a signature dessert.

Vail Chop House is located in Lionshead right by the main gondola.

There is often live music by Phil Long and on Thursday Kathy Morrow plays a lively piano starting at 8 pm.

It is a whole wonderful dining experience to put this on the list!

We would love to see you in Vail for Dining at Altitude!

The late fall event is perfect for you to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine at discounted prices, enjoy the perfect fall weather before winter is upon us savor the last bit of warm weather.

Beaver Creek is also having specials but I focus on Vail.  If you want Beaver Creek information go here More information about Beaver Creek

Take a look at all the specials offering and any more information you need about this week-long event.

I write specifically about the Black Diamond specials, and there are other specials not listed here, but can be found on Dining at Altitude