"Sprezzatura alpina" is an Italian phrase referring to effortless grace: the art of easy, timeless elegance. Its ethos is woven into every detail of Tavernetta Vail. It opened in December 2024 in the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail in partnership with the Frasca Hospitality Group, a collective of award-winning restaurants in Colorado. The renovated space leans into its Italian roots with an elegant, charming atmosphere and elevated Alpine menu. Prepare your taste buds for a dolce escape.
Step inside, and you're whisked away to an Italian villa perched in the Dolomites. Natural tones wrap the modern space in warmth, while the hand-painted, high wood-beam ceilings and custom-stained glass archway add just the right amount of drama. Now, with a rosy-brown marbled countertop, a new lounge and bar provide relaxed seating. Plus, there's a private dining room, perfect for family gatherings, business dinners, and special events.
"We're thrilled that the restaurant embodies a warm, approachable sense of hospitality. Of course, Tavernetta Vail is world-class, delivering great food and fantastic service, but I want this to be a comfortable place where guests feel at home. Whether you make us your Monday night ritual or are celebrating a special occasion, we want you to be here with us at Tavernetta," explained Jay Havey, General Manager of Tavernetta Vail. And trust us, home has never tasted so good.
At the helm of the kitchen is Chef de Cuisine Ethan Diamant, the former Sous Chef at the Michelin-Star Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder (also part of the Frasca Hospitality Group portfolio). Diamant's menu is a love letter to Italy that integrates Colorado's regional ingredients.
"At Tavernetta Vail, our menu draws inspiration from the diverse culinary traditions across Italy, with a special emphasis on the flavors of Northern Italy, resonant with our mountain setting," said 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."
Browsing through the menu, one thing is sure: you need to order the daily, hand-made pasta. Elegant iterations of Italian favorites include linguini loaded with Maine lobster, Calabrian chili, preserved tomato, and celery, or the risotto with 24-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic vinegar.
Don't sleep on the secondi. True to the heart of Alpine cuisine, the menu's meat dishes are showstoppers -- such as Anatra, a seared duck breast and confit leg with caramelized sunchoke puree and huckleberry mostarda. The 52-ounce Dry-Aged porterhouse, flanked by seasonal side dishes, arrives as the ultimate table centerpiece. Or dig into the New York strip steak, served with cauliflower and a marsala black truffle sauce.
No Italian feast is complete without the perfect pour. Tavernetta Vail's beverage program is as thoughtfully curated as its menu. An all-Italian wine list (other than Champagne) offers an extensive selection of reds and whites and an impressive selection of spirits and digestifs. You'll also find a "spritz window" in the restaurant, akin to the beloved wine windows in Florence.
Tavernetta Vail also offers a special après-ski menu with light bites, wines, and cocktails for a relaxing place to refuel after a day on the hill. From the warm ambiance to the mouth-watering menu, Tavernetta Vail brings a taste of la dolce vita (the sweet life) to the Vail Valley.