One of my favorite restaurants in Vail. While the menu is somewhat limited in the choices within each category, every choice is excellent. I started with the Crudo, which was not only delicious but beautifully presented; art on a plate. The elk carpaccio was also excellent. I moved to the beet parpedelli for my second course and was not disappointed. Had the pork tenderloin for my main course. Perfectly cooked, with great flavor. Home made ice cream finished it off. Service was good and the space is nice. I prefer the room around the corner from the bar. Wine list is pricy (it's Vail after all) but excellent and the soms really know their stuff.
(4)
Meredith C.
Taking advantage of the off-season deals, we enjoyed a $45 three-course meal. The service here is top notch. The sommelier recommended a wine that we absolutely loved and will be purchasing at home. The spring vegetables starter and the lamb carpaccio were delicious. Round 2 was great...we had the pork belly and the sweetbread. However, I was underwhelmed by the main courses, specifically the potato crusted trout. The scallops were decent. Again, the third courses just did not wow us.
(3)
Gene R.
Went there 3 winters in a row. Including 2015. Food is ok, but there are much better places in Vail for the same money or less. But barman mixes one of the best drinks in Vail. I wouldn't recommend to go there for food, but if you do have a drink there.
(3)
Conrad S.
How this place does not have 4 stars is a mystery to me. The food is prepared not just by a famous chef but by a competent chef. Not only does she grasp the concept of umami (wholesome taste) but she also balances her dishes with a complete range of flavors and textures that work brilliantly and harmoniously together. From the pork belly to the duck phò everything was at the level it was expected to be at. The drinks were also good, and the White Russian and Manhattan made up for a "good" (average). The drinks however were accoutrements, the desserts were unbelievably concocted and through the serves suggestions one could easily decide on a perfect choice. It seems that the staff has kitchen experience so they can fully answer all questions about all the dishes. I would absolutely recommend this fine establishment for any special occasion or just a foodie's low key dinner.
(5)
Heather L.
Here's the deal. Dirty jacket from waiter, wet dirty bathroom, boring and inattentive staff were dissappointing. But main course of Berkshire pork and short rib were good. Not as hot as they should be overall. Dessert was the star with delicious grapefruit tart and sticky bun dessert. Do not order pre fix menu. Order what sounds good to you. Overall, happy but not elated. Dining out in Vail, probably better spent elsewhere.
(3)
Emily Y.
We loooove the bartender here (Ian), not only for his conversation but for his amazing cocktail menu. We tried the Rose Rum Rickey, the Gin Figgie, the Colorado Campfire and the Mesa Verde and I will tell you - with absolute certainty - you will think every one of them is in contention for best cocktail ever. The Colorado Campfire (pine nut infused bourbon, grilled peaches) is graced with a large, smoked (yes, smoked) ice cube and was unquestionably my favorite. It was insane. I've been dreaming about it every night since. In the mood for lighter fare, we ordered the Ricotta and Swiss Chard Agnolotti (delicious), the Charred Eggplant & Summer Squash Cannelloni and the Artichoke Barigoule. The food was good, definitely, but the drinks? The drinks made me want to move to Vail. :)
(5)
Melissa M.
Do not go if you are starving, make sure you have eaten a small appetizer somewhere else prior to dining ay Kelly Liken. Over priced small portions. Wine by the glass was way to pricey for the pours too. Very disappointing experience.
(2)
Valerie W.
6 us went to have dinner here while we were in Vail for a wedding. It was hands down the best meal we had all week - and we went out a lot! First let me start by saying that our waitress - Jessica was LOVELY! So nice, so fun to talk to, and super helpful with recommendations and suggestions. Her sweet personality truly enhanced our dining experience. The food was superb. We had the tasting menu and each course was better than the next. My zucchini fritters were awesome - and my husband loved the elk carpaccio. Everyone loved each and every course they got. The service and presentation were all top notch! Additionally - great wines! They were out of the bottle we ordered and Jessica made an awesome off the menu selection for us! Additionally - it is worth noting that we went during restaurant week - and the quality of everything was really A+ - I feel like a lot of restaurants crap out a little but during promotions - and that was certainly not the case here!
(5)
Wes M.
We were shocked by the fixed price menu of $74 but were happy with the quality and creativity of the chef. I felt like I was participating in cut throat kitchen. Very unique arrangements which made for some of the best tastings I have had. Very small portions but excellent. Price is high but it is because you won't find an equal to it in Vail. Cheers.
(5)
Joe A.
We're foodies and love to try the top-rated restaurants everywhere we go. Kelly Liken gets high marks in Zagats, so I don't understand the polarized reviews this restaurant gets here, but we were glad we tried it out. True, it's expensive, but it was probably the best meal I've had in Vail, and from first course to dessert, probably one of the best anywhere, even more impressive than some Michelin star restaurants we've dined at. Elk carpaccio was melt in your mouth amazing. Everyone also loved their second courses - striped bass, crispy pork belly, and sweet shortbread. The lamb loin and potato crusted trout were our 3rd courses and were superbly done well balanced flavorful dishes. The specialty cocktails were so good we each tried 2 different ones. The service was also friendly and attentive, one of the best we experienced during our week in Vail. If you're looking for a special evening and meal we'd highly recommend this place and will definitely come back.
(5)
Tom S.
Amazing food. Very inventive, service was great and we loved it. A bit pricey but it was worth it.
(5)
Bob H.
Kelly Liken is by far one of the best restaurants in the US. I'm amazed that it has so few stars by some reviewers. Beware that it is expensive, but the food is amazing and the service is outstanding. They now have a fixed price menu ($74) for 3 entrees, but they are as good as you will find anywhere. You can order two items off of the menu and pay a little less, but hey, if you are there you may as well go all the way. Even the valet parking was great. When we walked out the door our car was ready with the motor running. Parking is complimentary, but I'm sure the valet would appreciate a tip.
(5)
David W.
My wife and I have been coming to Vail for over 20 years and have eaten at almost all of the named restaurants in town as well as Beaver Creek. We ate at Kelly Liken several years ago and had good recollections. But tonight March 6 2015 -- we felt we were witnessing superb service and excellent ambience in search of equivalent cuisine --- the Pinot Noir was ( at $22 a glass) a study in mediocrity, the scallops were at least two days old -- my short ribs seemed to resemble some boiled mystery meat atop " grits/ pecorino cheese" glop that was completely ill- defined-- only the amuse was delicious -- we skipped desert -- somebody has dropped the ball here -- too much excellent cuisine at distinctly better prices in Vail -- Sweet Basil, Flame, Matsuhisa, Ludwig's, Terra Bistro, Larkspur to name a few.
(1)
P T.
Our 3rd visit to Kelly Liken... Food was great but not as memorable as years past. Perhaps the lack of presence of owners Kelly Liken, Executive Chef and her husband are impacting overall experience. Great wine list and knowledgeable staff but restaurant lacks a little atmosphere. Quiet and a bit stuffy... Don't know that it was worth the hefty price tag. Food was great...service was great... No real complaints at all...we just weren't impressed! Braised short ribs were ok... Could have been more tender and could have used more sauce on the plate . Lamb duet was good but very small portion. Other 3 courses were good. Most of our dinners in Vail this week were more memorable.
(4)
Sandy C.
Great restaurant for large groups! Came here for a group dinner, hosted by CEA. We were seated in intimate rounds of 8 - 10. They had an amazing wine list & food. Best of all, when they came out with the entrees for dinner, an entire staff would come out at once with all the plates and serve everyone at once, like a well choreographed symphony. Thought that was a nice touch! Must try the cinnamon bun dessert with vanilla ice cream! Warm escape and goodness from the cold weather! Bravo!
(4)
Kath M.
I was in the Vail area for the first time for a 3 night trip and the best meal of the trip was at Kelly Liken. The service was superb and the food divine, Great bang for the buck too. 3 sublime courses for $74. I started with a cocktail - Pomegranate Sparkler Leopold's Silver Tree Vodka, pomegranate juice, Prosecco and cane sugar. Very light and refreshing.The amuse bouche was a perfect spoonful of cauliflower soup of some kind that was so good I wanted a whole bowl. We ordered the Charcuterie Board (artisan salumi & house made charcuterie) for the table that was very good (see picture). For my first course, I had the Crudo, which is a different fish daily depending on what's fresh. I had Big Eye Tuna from Hawaii and it was so good....citrusy, spicy and smooth all at the same time. For course two, I had the House Made Garganelli - maitake mushroom & swiss chard ragout, hazelnuts, brown butter beurre fondue, caramelized turnips. I love turnips and this did not disappoint. Course three was Slow Braised Short Rib - smoked ricotta polenta, parsley pistou, grilled swiss chard, crunchy hominy, red wine jus. Short rib can sometimes be fatty and this was not. It was delicious. We also got a side of the caramelized brussels sprout leaves, toasted pecans, plump golden raisins. Quite good. I had something chocolate for dessert and it too was great. We had 3 great dinners on this short trip and this was definitely the best. The restaurant is located in Vail Village, across the street from the Four Seasons (we snooped there before dinner). We had some time to kill so we walked around the village and did a little souvenir shopping before dinner. The town is adorable and it looked like there were quiet a few good restaurants to choose from.
Way too overpriced. Food not very special. Portions tiny. Lamb was gamey. Service awful!.
(1)
Caroline S.
We were completely underwhelmed & disappointed. We went out for nachos after spending $130.
(1)
Steve G.
Good place for a couples dinner. My girlfriend and I went for a nice evening dinner. The staff was very friendly and professional upon entering. Being that we had an early reservation and it was mid-week in the summer we were sat immediately. The door man walked us to our table who turned out to be the Sommelier as well. He provided the wine list right off the bat and gave us some ideas. Since we don't know much about wine we asked for a lighter red. He chose to go with a nice French Pinot Noir. Even though I'm not much of a wine expert I'd have to say he made the right choice. After that we were attended to by our waiter. We chose to go with the 3 course meal that we each essentially shared. All three courses were dynamite with bread being served at all times. In addition, my girlfriend doesn't eat meat often and the chef came up with an awesome vegetarian option that was not on the menu. Fried green tomatoes if I recall; I was a bit jealous of it. Afterwards we opted out of dessert and went on our way. All in all it was a lovely evening. The only reason I knocked off a star was the high price. They charged full price to a local who works in the guest service industry in the middle of summer (yes, they knew since that was the first question from the waiter). But I knew that going in so I'm certainly not upset. Waiter got a nice tip out of me but he would have done better if he helped a brother out.
(4)
Celin M.
We loved it!!! we went for my daughters birthday, the staff prepared personalized menus for all of us wishing my daughter a happy birthday. The staff was friendly very attentive. I was really impressed by the food, each plate was a beautiful presentation and everything we had was delicious!! I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Samantha L.
Okay, seriously, every restaurant owner and chef in the world needs to go visit Kelly Liken for tips on how to be an amazing restaurant. We eloped to Vail with our parents in tow and chose Kelly Liken as our big fancy night-before-the-wedding dinner location. First, they helped my mom order a wedding cake from a local bakery for delivery at dessert to surprise us. Then, when we arrived, special menus said "Congratulations" at the top for all of us. Next, we indulged in amazing food and awesome service in a unpretentious and airy restaurant with contemporary and cozy decor perfect for a mountain town. Finally, we were treated with the perfect level of service when we didn't like one of the specials some of us had ordered -- apologies with an explanation (different cuts of beef per night, something you get a bad one), a discount on the bill, and a new fantastic dish replacing it in a speedy timeline. Oh, and lots of little amuse-bouche compliments of the chef, including some delicious morning muffins in little bags for the next morning. Simply put: A top restaurant as a top restaurant should be.
(5)
Kevin M.
Begin with Anna, the practically perfect server. Listen to her, if she suggests it, do it, even if you don't think you'd like it. Then go to a delightful amuse bouche of a tuna tartar, to a watermelon lobster gaspacho, and diver scallops. All beautifully presented, and with the layers of intense flavor that scream out "great chef"! And the sticky bun sundae....I don't really like sticky buns but this darn thing was addictive. Think legal dessert crack and you get the idea. A little pricey, but it's Vail. I love this place, and consider it one of the first choices for a special occasion.
(5)
Andrea H.
Apparently I will do almost anything to avoid calling a place. Want proof? I searched everywhere online to find out if Kelly Liken has an a la carte menu. You see, I was dining alone and, while I have no problem with that, the thought of a leisurely multi-course meal did not really appeal to me. So I broke down and called. For all of you out there who are just like me, yes, they do serve an a la carte menu. Once I arrived, I found out why no one is talking about it. They don't seem to want you to know that they do it. The menu only offers the prix fixe, you have to ask about the a la carte. As of today, first courses are $16, second courses $18 and mains are $32. Not too bad, I thought. Something that you should realize if you go this route, though, is that the first and second courses are light. Like, I finished one of each and was still a little hungry. If you're hungry, your best bet is the full prix fixe. But let's be real, I'm a cocktail girl. The food is great but the best part about this place, to me, is the cocktail menu. Definitely the most creative and interesting of any place I've been to in Vail. I started with the My Darlin' Clementine. So amazing! I'm kicking myself that I don't remember all of the ingredients but I loved the fresh sage, clementine juice and house made chai syrup. That is a dangerous cocktail. Once I got to chatting with the bartender, he recommended the Chancellor. The scotch was very nicely balanced with the citrus flavors. Delicious. The elk carpaccio that I started with was very good. It was salty and flavorful and exceeded my already high expectations. For the second course, I was waffling between the sweetbreads and the razor clams with escargot. I always get sweetbreads so I decided to try something new. The clams and escargot did not disappoint. It was light and flavorful. I don't really love lemon but it worked really well with this dish. Once I finished these courses I seriously considered ordering a main. The people next to me were raving about their meals but I decided to skip to dessert. I ordered the pumpkin financier. What a cool dish! I liked the pumpkin cake and it was really good with the caramel and the black ale ice cream. And let's be honest, who doesn't love caramel corn? I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this place but, overall, the staff was really friendly, the food was great and the cocktails were awesome. Sitting at the bar was really cool too because I got to see how much the bartender loves what he does. The bartenders actually create several of the drinks on the menu and it sounds like there are some good ones coming up. Can't wait to come back to try them all!
(4)
Greg K.
Great 5 star experience. Perfect service. Portions are on smaller side but this is more of an art than food. Desert wine flight was a great choice. Wood visit again anytime!
(5)
Margaret B.
We went for the pre-fixe menu. Fantastic food and service. We didn't love our seating. We were squished into a row of tables and it felt like we could join in with the tables next to us. Somewhat hard to hear and focus on just each other. But everything else was superb. We'll be back.
(4)
S F.
Love this place. They make special occasions into a big deal. They even make you a special separate menu that has your name on it. We kept ours! Love the treats on the way out!:mini muffins for breakfast! thanks Sarah and Nate!
(5)
E T B.
Excellent service, food and setting! Valentines dinner could not have been better. I will be back.
(5)
Jaime L.
Customer service, attention to detail and delicious seasonal American cuisine is exactly what you will get when you dine at Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail, CO. For our meal we started with the elk carpaccio that had delicate hits of herbs and smoke. It was served with a bulgar taboulleh salad that was sprinkled with pomegranate seeds that added a nice freshness. The carpaccio was also topped with a whole grain mustard aioli that finished out the dish with just enough brininess and richness. Next up was the seared pork belly served with an apple cider jus. It was a slightly smaller portion that I had expected but the flavors packed a punch which really surprised me. The pork was tender and had great depth in flavor. I felt like the chef made it with tons of TLC which sometimes you cannot taste in restaurants. Our meal finished up with a tasting of house made desserts including a semi-sweet macaroon, a velvety brownie and a grapefruit lollipop to name a few. Yes the food was amazing but more so was the overall experience, even for 'just' sitting at the bar. The waitstaff was attentive in the best of ways, not overly aggressive in checking how we were doing but right there when we needed our plates cleared or our silverware replaced. The bartender Matt (I think that was his name) was friendly and charming while simultaneously mixing martinis without missing a step. I was also impressed with what I am going to call the front of the house manager who was fluttering around the dining room making sure guests were being taken care of. I guess if I had to make one complaint it would be about the dining room chairs that I felt looked a bit casino-buffet because of their fabric. I am nit-picking at this point because truly everything felt so thought out and done with intention.
(5)
John P.
Had an outstanding time on Sunday night. Every dish my wife and I had was excellent, different and interesting. The service was superb, and had a special menu printed up for my wife's birthday. The portions are on the smaller side, so don't go if you're looking for a buffet. The wine list was great, and the half bottle option is a nice touch. It isn't cheap, but isn't particularly different than most vail restaurants. I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Michael V.
3rd time here and the service is always top notch along with their food. Valet service is a great bonus being in Vail if you're driving. The menu has great flavors. Highly recommend
(5)
Wesley P.
First strike, no grey goose. Two, undercooked fish. Third strike, long time patrons and there was no attempt by the staff to correct the issues. Let me say, that in years past this restaurant blew every other establishment in the valley out of the water. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Overpriced and underwhelmed.
(1)
Tim M.
Ok food. Average for Vail but prices were well over average. Service was rude. Overall a bad experience.
(1)
Chris M.
We enjoyed a very nice meal for my birthday. The service was excellent and the wine selection very good. My only downside was the service was too quick, with the meal taking an hour. I'd prefer a three course meal to take a little longer but that's a personal taste.
(4)
Joel L.
Thought I would add a review as I look through the reviews it seems as though you have either a great experience or a poor one at this restaurant. My wife and I went to the Farm-to-Table dinner on this past Sunday evening and were not impressed at all. We came to the conclusion that the poor service must be due to the fact that this is a less expensive dinner compared to the other nights and so no one was truly motivated to work. The food also lacked the attention I was expecting after reading the other rave reviews. The only ingredient I could match to the farmers market early that day was the Palasade Peaches. All in all the restaurant just did not seem to invest to the level that I suspect they can acheive based on the other reviews so I am not certain whether to just avoid Sunday nights or this restaurant is truly over-rated?
(2)
Howard L.
Was recommended by Four Seasons Hotel and they must get a kick back or have ownership interest Pathetic food at best Only have Prix Fixe for $74 which my dog wouldn't eat. What a rip off Stay away -Far away!
(1)
Robyn S.
All I have to say is that I was thoroughly impressed with the exceptional service I received when dinning here on vacation last week! I can't remember when the last time I had such good service at a restaurant, I mean this was TOP NOTCH!!! The food was just as amazing too! The menu is always changing so you never know what you are going to get. I do have to say that since I live in California and Foie Gras is now illegal, I was so happy to see it on the menu at Kelly Liken and it was delicious!!!! The sticky bun desert was to die for!!! Thank you, Kelly Liken for a wonderful experience! I will most definitely be back!!!
(5)
Casey S.
Worst price-to-quality of ANY restaurant I've EVER been to. NYC, SF, Chicago, you name it. So so disappointed. And we even went in the offseason, with $45 three course meals and 50% off wine, and our bill was still $225.00 before tip. Insanely overpriced (even with the offseason special) for the food/ quality you get. If I would have paid full price, this would be a zero star review. Stop reading this review and head across the street to La Tour. 5x better and 30% cheaper. The food portions were TINY even for an upscale restaurant. The wine was okay, but $65 for a $15 bottle in the liquor store? That's expensive even for a nice restaurant. I'd expect more like 3x markup, max ($45). The entrees were okay (duck & steak), but we've had better at modestly priced 'yuppie' restaurants in Denver. Restaurants that are less than half the price. The sauces on the entrees were underwhelming and not enough sauce to cover the meat. I had to add pepper to both entrees, a rarity for me. The ambience was TERRIBLE. The space seriously reminded me of the Cheesecake Factory. Trying to be upscale but WAY too corporate and stale. It really is this bad, this isn't an exaggeration. Save your money, go anywhere else in Vail. This experience was the absolute worst of our wonderful weekend in Vail. Wish I could chargeback my Visa, I feel ripped off.
(2)
John M.
Ripped off in Vail!! Ate at Kelly Liken with my family last week. The food was salty, portions were very small. None of us are big eaters but seriously the portions are minuscule compared to Sweet Basil, Terra Bistro, Mountain Standard, La Tour, Zinos, etc. as for the price of appetizers, entrees and wine....$$$$$$$$ outrageous! They actually sell half glasses of wine for $14 or a full glass for $28.... In a league of its own. Which I'm fine with, if the food is amazing. Nothing amazing here...save your money and go somewhere that's focused on better food and fair value. Starving and now broke :-(
(1)
JIMMY N.
CONTINUATION OF ORIGINAL REVIEW! DESSERT: "Can't be Missed" Sticky Bun Sundae: bite sized pieces of cinnamon sticky bun, warm caramel, toasted pecans, vanilla bean ice cream. Taste-wise... it was very good. The warm sweetness from the brown sugar, cinnamon and caramel melting the cold refreshing ice cream was sinful. My only two problems with this dessert were... 1) the bun's edges were dried out and stale. 2) the Ice Cream had ice crystals inside. Exceptional ice cream should be creamy and free of ice crystals. tsk tsk Overall, it was a good experience. The entire staff made the evening memorable. That's all you can really take away from a restaurant... a full belly and lasting memories! Just found out that you can buy a discount coupon restaurant.com . Aww rats!
(4)
Katherine C.
This review is a year and a half old. 5 stars for the kitchen staff on the delectable meal.. we had a carpaccio appetizer that was melt-in-your-mouth delicious from a local colorado (elk I believe?) farm, my husband had his go-to, pork belly (best ever), and I had the nightly fish special. I wish I could rave about how perfect the meal was in presentation and taste because everything WAS delicious! If I could have sat, served and bartended for myself this could have been my best meal in Vail yet. But we had such an awful service experience from both a snobby front desk team (long wait, eye rolls and attitude included) and disinterested, rude server that I wanted to say something incase it helps the management make changes in the future. I understand that you're a famous spot in the area but we have been to many similarly wonderful restaurants around Vail through the years and never had such an experience. I'd try it again for the food but my husband swore he'll never go back. If you're heading here, hopefully you catch everyone on a better night...
(3)
Erika B.
Dissapointing and overpriced. I think overpriced is the main point here. Was the food good? Sure, it was fine. But for $40 a plate this restaurant is a dime a dozen. I wanted to like it, really. I had the potato crusted trout filets with brussel sprouts and rasins. All of the ingredients were local. The potato crust was a bit too salty for my liking. I think I was a bit more discerning than I would normally have been because the service was snail-paced and we got grouchy after waiting for 30 minutes.
(2)
Mark B.
I realize and feel bad that I have only written two reviews....I have had lots of great meals and I need to write those up in the future. I guess the reason for this is I want to warn yelpers- this place is all hat and no cattle. We were seated in front of the door, freezing. Then I had carrots- the only good piece of the meal and they were just carrots. The foie gras was coldand the steak was cold, sliced, cheap and inedible. Don't go- there must be better out there. I will write up where we eat tomorrow to try to contribute more than just warnings.
(1)
Ryan C.
We went and sat at the bar last minute. We were pretty excited as we'd heard some great things about KL. Expectations can be tough sometimes... Had some mediocre cocktails and dove into the charcutierie plate. This was a nice selection, and a good start. Fluke Crudo was unremarkable. Could have used acid/salt. Next up was the Jonah Crab. This dish was awful. The crab tasted old or canned. Not recommended. The Elk Carpaccio was finally something that wowed us. A really excellent, balanced dish, bursting with flavor. Cauliflower Mushroom Agnolotti was solid. I'll echo other reviewers' price/value sentiments. If you're going to charge a boatload, it better knock my socks off. Only half a sock was knocked with that Elk dish. The decor/art in the place is awful. I doubt I'd go back.
(2)
lisa l.
One word: disappointed (the food that is). especially for the price. We happen to visit Vail when temps were in the negative during the evening so the complementary valet parking was nice... and they had our car ready and warmed up by the time we left the restaurant. 2-thumbs up! They offered only a 3-course prix fixe menu, which we didn't mind. in fact, we (party of 2) usually like prix fixe menu. So at $74pp we expected to be delighted with the meal but was totally disappointed. the flavors most of the dishes did NOT mesh well and left us confused of what the chef was trying to achieve some statements to describe our dishes: - smelled fishy and not at all fresh - that tasted like greens that came fresh from my blender/juicer (which i like for my mornings but not as a main course). razor clams and escargot shouldn't have that flavor - DRY! stuffed pheasant breast - is steak (sliced into 4) supposed to be served that cool/cold? - at least the itsy bitsy seared foie gras on the dish was tasty - wow, the dessert (orange blosson gelato) was the dish of the evening! (SAD!) - server's recommendation of apple turnover for dessert was nothing special 3-course prix fixe for party of 2+desserts+3 cocktails+1 glass of wine... equated to $259.xx before gratuity........... i've dine in enough destinations to know this meal was a complete WASTE. the night before we dined at Sweet Basil . go there for the pork chops, which is their staple
(1)
Lisa S.
Probably one of the best meals I've had in Vail. Service *very* attentive, food good. But overpriced. Tab was about half what I recently spent at a 3 star (Alinea), and the 3 star was definitely more than twice as good. While a really good meal, not at the creative or complexity level of a michelin star place. Still, a really good meail in Vail.
(4)
Suzy E.
I have never in my life taken the time to review a restaurant, but our experience tonight at Kelly Liken was so poor, so pathetic, so beyond reproach, so beyond the pale, well, here I am writing. I called for a reservation earlier this week and was told they couldn't accommodate my family - 11 of us enjoying an extended family vacation - at one table, but could put us in side by side tables on a banquette. That seemed like a good idea. By the way, this was for a 5:30pm reservation because we have kids in the group. We got there right at 5:30 and were shown to a round table for 8 next to a square table for 4 smack in the middle of the dining room. I told the manager about my conversation with the woman who booked the reservation and he seemed totally unbothered and somewhat unwilling to help amend the situation. Again, it was 5:30 and the restaurant was empty. More on that later. I then suggested we just leave the restaurant and let our hotel who made the suggestion know that he preferred not to help us figure out a solution, so he quickly changed his tune and asked what I thought he should do. I said why not push the tables together? He looked horrified, sighed, and told his waitstaff to do so. I wish we had just walked out then. FIFTY MINUTES AFTER ORDERING, nothing but amuse bouches had arrived. This after asking the waitress no less than 5 times to bring our dinners as soon as they were ready, please. I even said to her we appreciate the idea of spacing in a nice restaurant, but we had all skied and were all tired, especially the kids. She smiled and assured me the chef was working on it. By then, I had seen Kelly Liken walk through the restaurant several times. She did not look too hard at work. Clearly her powers of observation were not in play. SEVENTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, one plate of buttered pasta arrived for the 3 year old. Those of you who are parents appreciate what happens when one kid gets fed and not the rest. NINETY MINUTES LATER, the rest of the kids dishes came. Nothing yet for the adults, save a salad for my sister in law. Yet again, we asked for dinner to come promptly, Yet again, Kelly Liken walked by our table. Yet again, nothing. By then, my 2 year old was out of gas, and my four and a half year old was not far behind, so silly me, I thought Id take them back to the hotel to put them down and spare any meltdowns for fellow patrons. I just wish the restaurant had been as considerate as I tried to be. I had them pack up my dinner and off I went. The time was 7:15. 1 hour 45 minutes after we arrived. No adults had been served . I got back to the hotel and while my kids were in the bath, I opened up my to-go boxes The most repulsive looking $40. steak you have ever seen, and the side order of brussell sprouts consisted of perhaps three shredded sprouts, a smashed walnut, and a few raisins. Delicious, by the way, but one bite max. My brother returned to the hotel, and told me what transpired after I left. He and my mom asked to speak to the manager and let them know how disappointed we were with the service, the dinner, the experience, and what happened next is shocking. The manager practically screamed at my brother and mother. He told them he would be happy if we never returned to the restaurant. He said we were looking for a free dinner and how dare we try to pull a fast one on them. By the way, the restaurant was still empty when our party left. Including the banquette the manager had said we should have never been offered. EMPTY. The bill: $600. plus. You must be kidding me. For anyone with kids, DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT. There are so many wonderful family restaurants in Vail. Save yourself the pretension and attitude. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)
Ken J.
I really wanted to love Kelly Liken, I really and truly did. However, I was nonplussed by our server's attitude and her seeming lack of passion and enjoyment in what we thought of the whole experience. But I start in the middle, so let's back up to the beginning. Last year when we were in Vail I'd heard and read great things about Kelly Liken and we tried to get in, spur of the moment on a Friday evening, and were unable to do so and went to Larkspur instead (more on that in another review). However, I vowed that next year we would return and dine there. Therefore, a week in advance of our vacation, I made reservations which we then duly honored. The appointed day arrived, Saturday at 7:45 and we trooped on over to the restaurant. Our table was ready and waiting and we were seated immediately. Our server arrived quite some time after we'd been seated and didn't take our drink order right away (a pet peeve of mine) even though she'd been attending to the table next to ours, she didn't even stop to say she was busy and she'd be right with us. No, she just ignored us. So we sat. The space is nice, small but not cheek-by-jowl close like in some London or NYC restaurants, but you could still overhear conversations next to you quite clearly. I did finally end up ordering a flight of roses, one of which was off and which she replaced with fresh (and fuller) glass. The menu offers a 3 course prix fixe, of which I partook, and my wife and son both ordered just appetizers, my wife a salad, and then my son an entree special. Oh yeah, there was also an interesting amuse bouche to start the meal, but I don't recall what it was other than that there was a potato chip (my description, not theirs) as part of it. It was good. So, I had heirloom tomato salad with shaved fennel and parmesan for the first course followed by grilled lamb cheeks with peas and then pan roasted breast of pheasant with grilled peaches and wild rice. It was all, well, good, but not, phenomenal, aside from the lamb cheeks, which I'd never had before, and they were more interesting than phenomenal. I had a lovely glass of something dark, red, and delicious, but I can't remember what it was, to accompany my meal. On that point, though, Kelly Liken does shine: They have a tremendous, and tremendously awesome, selection of wines by the glass. So kudos to them on that. My wife liked her salad just fine and regretted not ordering the tomato salad and my son had grilled scallops on Israeli cous cous, which he really enjoyed. So, the food was beautiful and beautifully presented and nothing was terribly played with or oversauced. It was fresh and local and seasonal, all things for which I search when dining out these days, but, it was missing something. If our server had interacted with us, cared about us, cared about our comments, bothered to have a conversation with us, been in the least bit friendly or charming, it would have made a huge difference. I knew it was going to be pricey, I wasn't overly concerned about that. But this just wasn't special. I'm sorry, but we'll not be going back.
So I thought I had to dislike Kelly Liken based on the fact that I found her abrasive on Top Chef, but truly, in a town where an entree routinely costs $40+, at KL, I've slowly come to realize that the price is justified. Menu changes regularly -- if you're there and the scallops are on the menu, I would highly recommend hitting that -- and the elk carpaccio got rave reviews all around. My potato crusted trout was buttery and delicious (though the potato could have been done a bit more), and all other mains (lamb, venison or something else gamey) were all enjoyed thoroughly. Desserts are not an afterthought, and creative deliciousness is alive and well on the plates. Oh, also, the cocktails are dangerously drinkable. Overall, despite Kelly's apparently odd mannerisms and lack of femininity (thank you Bravo), she cooks some truly wonderful food that I would gladly pay $90+ per person.
(4)
S. Paul L.
Imagine my surprise when right around the corner of our honeymoon suite was a Top Chef restaurant. We went to Kelly Liken's for our last meal before flying back to the east coast and we were greatly satisfied with one of the best meals that either of us had eaten while in Colorado. We loved Sweet Basil and Terra Bistro and I can't honestly say we had a bad meal the entire time in Vail, but Kelly Liken's was the pinnacle of our adventure. Sweet Bread was excellent. The wife and I both had duck, which was beautifully cooked. For desert we had a piece of their chocolate stout cake, which was also very tasty and unlike many places, they don't over-sugar their stout cake. Prior to the meal we decided to order a Cote du Bourg, which was pretty revolting. I felt bad and am not one to normally send things back and we were going to drink the glass quickly and order something else, but the waitress and bartender were more than happy to take the wine back and bring us something else instead. I'm not sure if the wine had actually turned, but needless to say I won't be ordering a Cote du Bourg anymore. I like all different types of varietals and anything from France has always been a good choice for me, but this wine simply wasn't good at all. It was very nice of them to make that change for us.
(5)
Rozita N.
Solid restaurant but price/ quality wise was not a wow
(4)
Maya K.
went there for valentine's dinner and it was pretty awful. The first two courses were good- crudo and a mushroom pasta dish. The entree was awful. My boyfriend and I both had the trout and it had absolutely no flavor. It could have used a lot of lemon or something to make it edible. I go to vail every year for a one week conference where we entertain clients and i would not bring them here after such a dismal dinner. We were in and out within an hour.
(2)
Lily T.
I was here on a business trip with my company for our annual sales conference. Since we're a big group, they ended up closing the restaurant for us that night and had a custom corporate menu. I must say, I was very dissapointed. I had the carpaccio which was pretty good and not gamey - which I was concerned about. As an entree, I had lamb - the portions were teeny tiny and had a weird aftertaste. Other people at my table had halibut and it was the size of a small nugget. No one was full and eventually someone complained. I'm a frequent visitor of upscale restaurants and if you're going to serve tiny portions of food - make it amazing. Serving tiny portions of average food isn't going to win anyone over.
(2)
John R.
This was hands down the best overall dining experience I've ever had! I dined here multiple times during August of 2010 while on my honeymoon. It all started on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon when local farmers brought their goods to the streets of Vail. Among the vendors, fresh food and tantalizing smells, I saw Kelly Liken herself, basket in hand, picking her days menu. We had reservations for Sunday evening because we heard that on Sundays, she created a menu based on her finds at the farmers market. We were so excited to see what Living in Season was all about. When we arrived at our appointed time, Cynthia greeted us with a 'Happy Honeymoon! Please follow me!' We were happy to oblige. Once seated, we noticed our menu's were custom printed for they stated, 'Happy Honeymoon!' at the top of each page. We promptly were greeted by our server, Andy and then the sommelier. We had the wine flight and beer tour to compliment our Sunday Harvest Menu. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere inviting and the food outstanding. We were so enthralled by our experience that we simply couldn't bear to leave. So, we headed to the bar where we found a cocktail that's still top on our list, the Clementine Kicker. Clean orange citrus spiked with a muddled jalapeno kick. Amazing. Our experience didn't end there as they had a live jazz band that asked us to come up and dance to the tune, 'Our Love is Here to Stay'. The overall experience was so amazing that I'm still so impressed that I decided to write a review over a year later. Thank you to everyone at Restaurant Kelly Liken for the most memorable dining experience we've ever had.
(5)
Terry S.
Hey of four entrees one was ok one was mediocre and two were lousy. Of the other courses the scallops had a tasteless sauce and not half as good as the same dish at Russell's. Excellent somellier and good wine list. Unfortunately an owner convinced she can skimp on quality of cooking and serve fairly poor quality product
(1)
Tracy A.
3.5 stars. Great menu. But our fish entrees were overcooked, and the service was so-so. Disappointing, especially after seeing Kelly Liken do such great things on Top Chef. K.L. has an outstanding menu of fresh ingredients, accompanied by a nice wine list. The interior is bright, modern, and pleasant. And they start off well, with a warm greeting by the (free) valet and by the hostess. Maybe we were there on an off night, but the place did not live up to the hype. We received two different dinner menus; when we asked which one was correct, they took away the incorrect one, but never replaced it (not a big deal, but sort of awkward for a fine-dining establishment). The beginning, an amuse-boche, was a delicious little serving of carrot soup. Then we were served the wrong salad. But when we received the correct one, it was fabulous: Pureed fresh green peas, white beans, greens, and a perfectly poached egg. They do get points for effort. Virtually every person working there stopped by our table at one point or another, either to drop off something or to ask if we needed anything. (Though this became tedious after the 3rd person asked if I was finished with my Sticky Bun Sundae dessert. I wasn't... the dessert was excellent.) But our striped bass and halibut dishes were substantially overcooked -- and no one inquired about our entrees until about 15 minutes after we received them, at which point we were done picking away at the food. For the record, my halibut was accompanied by excellent flavors, and the striped bass was also. If only the main event could be as good as the apps and sides.
(3)
April C.
I must say I'm very sad to write this review because I had heard such great things about this place, however after my experience I will not return. The good: 1) The drink menu at the bar is intriguing and everything was mixed to a balanced perfection. 2) The atmosphere and vibe of the restaurant is good. Relaxed, approachable environment with a modern mountain design. The bad: 1) Our appetizer order was incorrect TWICE. What made it worse is two waiters harassed my husband to just eat the second mistake rather than offering to correct it. My husband was embarrassed and gave in. They also did not give us any discount or free dessert to make up for their mistakes. After thinking about it later that evening I was really upset about how they handled this situation. You expect better from a restaurant of this caliber. Embarrassing people into eating something they did not order is just unacceptable in my book. 2) No one at our table was "blown away" by their meal. In fact, three of us thought it was okay, and one person rated their meal as good. No one at the table thought is was a great menu or meal. 3) It's WAY to expensive for what you get. I've been to expensive places all over this country that deliver fantastic, unforgettable food and believe me, this is not one of those places. So to recap. I will not return and I would much rather go to a place like Dish in Edwards, Colorado where the menu is fresh, local and creative. It's worth the extra 10 minute drive.
(1)
Elizabeth R.
This was only an ok experience, though not bad. The presentation of the food was beautiful. Like, take a picture of every plate beautiful. And it was good, though very overpriced. My short ribs were actually on the bland side, which was unfortunate, as it was the main dish. A good selection of wine was available, and all the ones I sampled were very tasty. The service, while efficient, was totally by the book, which I hate. I get that there are things you should mention as the server, but it was such a staged speech that we actually felt like she wasn't really talking to us, just talking near us, if that makes sense. It was overpriced I think, and in that area, that says a lot. There are other options in the area with food of the same quality, for less, in an atmosphere that is far more welcoming. Not sorry I went, I just wouldn't go again.
(3)
Doug P.
Quality of food and excellence in service. Tremendous spot for business meal.
(5)
Alyce K.
Menu was interesting but mediocre taste especially for the price. The waiter was condescending and pretentious Overall not one of the best in vail
(1)
Arnold L.
Wow.... the service is excellent and the ambience is delightful. They served a beef dish that COULD NOT BE CUT!....At first three in our party of six who all had this problem assumed it was because of dull knives....the knives were fine and th truth was the meat was the consistency of LEATHER......only when the waiter could not cut the meat was it returned....at first class prices the quality control is below McDonalds and the local Eats restaurant..... shame on this restaurant and this farce. How many customers will experience this before they shut this place downb or develop minimum quality control standards!....
(1)
Jerry H.
One of my Vail favorites. Great food, and service. Wonderful wine list. Their desserts are worth the trip alone. Pure elegance.
(5)
Taylor L.
Kelly Liken was awesome! For apps we got the elk carpaccio, and the goat cheese & tomato agnolotti. The agnolotti was out of this world. The elk was good too, but maybe a little dry and gamey? It was served with a tabbouleh, which I thought was interesting. For main courses, I ordered the lamb which was served with a homemade apple sauce, gnocchi and pea shoots. The lamb was the best entree. But I also tried the New York strip, the wild boar, and the Colorado bass. Each of them was beautifully prepared. Also, get the sticky bun desert.... absolutely out of this world!! The service was great - really sweet girl from Bulgaria. We also got to meet Kelly who was down to earth and excited to tell us about Sunday's where they have a "local's night" and prepare food from the farmer's market. Overall, it was great and definitely a new favorite dining spot in Vail. The general consensus was that it was even better than Sweet Basil, which has been a family favorite for years!
(4)
Brittany B.
Where to start?! This was possibly the BEST meat I've ever had. - Elk Carpaccio: yelpers don't lie when they say this is a must have! Get it with a rose champagne - Prime Rib Bison cooked 2-ways with rosti: the meat just melted in my mouth, I couldn't get over it. And the rosti had one of the best green onion-herb flavors I've ever tasted. With this dish I had a cab recommended by our waitress. - Sticky Bun Sundae - this was a bit of a let down. Maybe too sweet and heavy for me. It was a mix of pecan pie and sticky breakfast buns. Would love to come back for a special occasion... definitely pricey, but I felt it was worth it!
(5)
Kristal C.
Very much enjoyed my experience here and would come again to try other dishes. Though the experience was far from perfect, it was tasty, innovative, and memorable. Overall rating I would give a 3.7 and round this up generously to 4 stars. Off the prix fixe menu: _The fluke crudo was highly recommended by our waitress--fluke slices adorned with pickled beets and vinaigrette, balanced with a contrast of salty/sour flavors. The ginger-lemongrass sorbet was out of place, in my opinion, in terms of taste and intended complement? The dish otherwise would've been perfect had it not been for the TWO HUGE BONES I said hello to when chewing a slice of fluke. This is like the kiss of death for me--bones, in sashimi?! What added to this was that I was seated in the middle of a rectangular table amongst 10 other attendees at a work function--so imagine my horror at having to stealthily pick/spit out these bones and subsequently trying to hide them on my plate but being unable to given the mixture of a horrible bloody beet mess. Ugh. _Marrow bone risotto: I rarely say no to marrow and was happy with the decision. While the sauce is a creamy parmesan, the dish still comes off really light (and delicious). I did get thrown off by (and I realized at this point that it was kind of a restaurant theme) the mix of savory flavors with sweet. Contrast is welcomed, but it felt a bit weird in these dishes at times, the random sweetness. _Pan roasted duck breast: a bit torn here because while the duck was cooked perfectly and tender, the sauce was a bit too sweet for me. Overall the plate was nicely done. Dessert: my favorite was the sticky bun sundae, which is pretty similar to a decadent bread pudding--so good.
(4)
Jared M.
I am review #24. Tonight was a special night for the Kelly Liken (also the chefs name). There was a viewing of the show top chef. Apparently she was on this show and went pretty far... I am pretty clueless to television (we don't have) reality shows. We started off with a Fried Green Tomato with some sliced up heirloom 's. Then a had a crab cake with watermelon gazpacho and chili oil, followed by a 3rd appetizer (large size) of veal sweet breads. A couple drinks...some previously passed around appetizers (top chef show special compliments of Kelly Liken) and we were pretty full.... The staff was very nice: Julia from Scotland greeted us at the start. Then there was Lisa from Beverly Mass, Ollie who previously worked at the Boulders in Arizona, and Triple G the bartender. Thanks for a nice experience to you all... Last note: as for pricing...yes expensive, but then again, so is rent in Vail Village. The place is doing something right....
(4)
Alissa T.
Impeccable service, delicious fresh locally sourced food, warm and friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend this restaurant. The Sunday night pre fix menu was sublime! We went there Sunday afternoon to make reservations for dinner. There was no one there yet and the chef came out and told us what was going to be on the menu for that night's dinner. The menu was created that day from things they bought at the farmer's market. They personalized the pre-fix menu for our dietary restrictions and put a note in the computer about it. When we came back later that night for dinner our server was aware of our menu change and it was no problem. The service was excellent as was the food. On Sunday nights they have a live jazz band that really added a nice ambiance to the whole experience. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Craig H.
4.8. Kelly Liken would be a hit in any big city where foodies expect spectacular creativity. In Vail it is a gem amongst a sea of average tourist restaurants. The service flows like the wheels of a Swiss watch. They are pleasant and always show up at just the right moment. The only flaw is the tables are a little close and the noise level a little high.
(5)
Jonathan W.
We stopped by Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail for the Sunday harvest meal. On Sundays in the summer Kelly and her chefs go out to the local farmers market to get ingredients at the peak of freshness and put it together for a 3 course feast for the senses. From the friendly greeting at the door and the attentive staff to the incredible food a meal here is well worth the drive up from Denver and even more so if you happen to be in the area. The stand out for us was a vegetarian Risotto and an incredible bass dish that was one of the better fish dishes I have ever had. The bottom line if you're in the area and you want some very very good food go to Kelly Likens if you go anywhere else and your food is not incredible you only have yourself to blame. If you would like to see pictures of our meal feel free to visit our blog.
As always, a wonderful end to our annual Vail ski trip. Each year, we come on the final night of our week, and I've never been disappointed. Service is impeccable as always, from the complimentary valet to the professional way all the dishes are served at the same time from the right side, they pay attention to the little details. The traditional cocktail of choice for us is the pomegranate sparkler, which is much stronger than it appears. It's light and fruity. The grapefruit cocktail is also really subtle tasting, despite the liquor.. they mix their drinks well. The wine list is also extensive, and they're conscious to let you know how many bottles they have left if they're running low. Bread service includes the sourdough, perfect with butter, salt, and pepper, and there's also an olive bread. The amuse was the potato leak soup with truffle oil, which was light on the truffle taste. For those who ordered the soup as a part of their meal, they had the refreshing grapefruit granita to start. I started with the beet salad, which was a generous portion of roasted beets. The elk carpaccio is still my favorite - with a slight hint of 5 spice and a seared edge. It's so tender but not fatty at all. The warm mushroom salad with a poached egg was also amazing over frisee, with the yolk running through it. For entrees, the potato crusted trout is always a favorite, but the real highlight of the dish is the caramelized brussels sprouts leaves underneath, which will convert anyone who thinks he/she doesn't enjoy brussels sprouts. It's nutty, sweet, and slightly charred. The squash lasagna is also a nice vegetarian option, which is super sweet from the natural sugars of the squash puree. The pork duo is better if it's done medium, rather than anything more rare, and it's also seasoned well. The scallops appetizer also makes a nice lighter entree portion, and it's seared perfectly and super sweet inside. It's counter-intuitve to order scallops in the Mountains, but I've never been disappointed by this dish. Desserts are beautiful in presentation but aren't as strong as the rest of their menu. The banana tart was more unique - with a shortbread crust (a bit too hard for me), peanut butter, and thinly sliced roasted bananas. The chocolate ganache was also not as smooth as I'd hoped. in any case, they also send some petit fours, which satisfy the sweet tooth in case you don't want a full dessert. Like I said, it's our tradition to finish up our week long ski trip with a group dinner at Kelly Liken. It hasn't disappointed so far.
(4)
S R.
Elk carpaccio - sliced thin with mustard aioli and a pepper crust, it's as awesome as it sounds Sweetbreads - no frame of reference as I've never had them before, but I really liked these Crab salad - too "salty", not on par with the other two starters Rack of lamb - very flavorful and good Wagyu NY strip steak - also good Trout - OK, but c'mon, you should be ordering red meat here Sticky-bun sundae - devoured it like a pack of wolves Ambience - I liked it, not too contemporary, not stuffy, but attractive Service - Kelly herself answered the phone and greeted us on the way out, very cool! It's pricey, and it's not perfect, but there was enough stuff that was memorable.
(5)
theresa s.
We watched top chef, so I was happy that we could go to Kelly Liken's restaurant in Vail. Another surprise we could buy discounted gift certificates on Restaurant.com . We got ours at a Christmas discount, so we got a $100 certificate for $20! one of the terms of the $100 certificate was that the check had to be $200+. Since we saw the menu ahead of time, we had expected to spend that amount. We we arrived the valet took our car and announced our arrival. that was a nice touch. All were helpful when we were trying to decided on our wine, and our server even offered to pair wines with whatever we selected for dinner. The menu used local ingredients, which we appreciated. Someone arrived with a selection of breads-- rosemary or pumpernickel. We tried both, and although good, the rolls were ice cold and not even warmed in the oven. My BF ordered the steak, and I ordered three appetizers instead of an entree: the hamachi crudo-- which was surrounded by a delicious green chili lime oil, and topped with crunchy minty goodness. the chilled maine lobster- this was my favorite dish, basically a lobster salad with meyer lemon. Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops- this was a warm dish and not anything different or impressive. my least favorite dish. For dessert, we had the famous Sticky Bun Sundae and the vanilla orange cheesecake. both were good. We enjoyed all of this with a bottle of red wine, and a glass of champagne. When we left KL, our car was waiting outside. That was another nice touch. Overall it was a very good dining experience, but it was definitely an expensive meal, and for the value, I don't think we would return without another gift certificate.
After a fun week skiing in Vail for the holidays, we thought we would give my mom a break from cooking yumminess and try the local fare. The restaurant itself is definitively modern with the lodgey touches and I thought the menu and ambiance did an excellent job of trying to be a new take on rustic. This is Vail after all. The service was impeccable from the valet, to the hostess, the maitre 'd who came to check on us, to our excellent waitress. Also of note is the amazing wine list where we found to our amusement (my horror being a grad student) an $10,000 bottle of wine. (Very clever Kelly Liken with that anchoring effect!) We ended up with the '04 Brion cab which was soooo velvety and good. Though we had wine, I also ordered some additional cocktails which were memorable and delicious. I began with the Elk carpaccio which was absolutely fabulous, followed by a surprising and excellent beet salad. Another starter was the ravioli which also was excellent. Our party ordered main courses of a duo of pork, bison tenderloin and the New York Strip all of which were cooked to perfection and balanced with flavorful sides. Desert was Chocolate Dolche, panna cotta and some amazingly deep flavored sorbets, all great. One caveat however is the music was borderline horrendous and had the meal not been excellent would have marred my dining experience. Please Kelly Liken, if you are reading this, choose something not the love child of Kenny G. and mortuary music.
(5)
Wes P.
Went to Vail for my honeymoon and made reservations at Kelly Liken for our first night in town. From the moment we walked into the door the service was exceptional. While we waited for our table we had drinks at the bar. I had a cocktail made with beet puree and gin. It was earthy and delicious. When I made the reservations I told them it was for our honeymoon and they had a special menu printed just for us. We had the 5 course tasting menu and it was great. There were highs and lows, but overall it was delicious and a great way to begin our trip to Vail. The sticky bun sundae was worth the trip to Vail itself.
(5)
Jeff C.
Was there for my birthday this week. I was really excited to go as I have always been interested in trying the restaurant, but the opportunity has never presented itself. I have heard good things, so I was excited to go for my BD! The staff was very gracious and accommodating. It was really cool because they had "Happy Birthday Jeff" printed on the menus for our table. +1 They brought us out an amuse of watermelon gazpacho which was really good (small, but good--wished I had more). Two of us got the beet salad which was very very good! I had the dungenesse crab which was pretty good (Expensive too--$18) -1 I ordered the lamb which was just slightly better than OK. It was a small serving especially because I had an end rib which was very small and dry. For $44 I think one should get more meat. -1 My sister had the best Risotto I have ever had. It was a Vail Mountain wild mushroom risotto--decadent. +1 The other entree was the potato crusted trout--looked good but I did not try it. The cinnamon bun, carmel, ice cream thing was really good and perfect to split 3 ways! +1 Lastly when the bill came, by sister ordered a scotch on the rocks. The menu had it posted at $11 (fine), but the bill said $19.00 (not fine). Our very good waitress had to go inquire and adjust the bill. Well they had the wrong price in the computer (by $5) but they have an "up charge" of $3 for on-the-rocks. I have never heard of this up charge before. They should put on the menu "All prices reflect a neat pour"--on the rocks is $3 more or something. That was ridiculous in my opinion. (they should have waived the $8 dollar difference because of their error and not just the $5. To still charge the $3 dollars when it is not expected and after they screwed up the bill is something I have a hard time with (The bill was over $250--what's $3 to them). -3 So, nice establishment/ambiance. Great staff and service and it was cool to meet Kelly especially with her new fame from Top Chef. However, my entree was subpar for $44. Not sure I will be rushing back, but glad I went.
(3)
Allison J.
I can't believe I never wrote a review for this place. One of my favorite things to do in Vail is to sit at the bar of Kelly Liken's and order apps and wine. You'll meet all sorts of interesting people and tickle your tongue with lots of tasty delights. May 9, 2010. Be sure to watch Iron Chef America when Kelly battles it out! Woot!
(5)
E C.
we sat at the bar after being unable to get reservations any where else in vail village. the adult food was not bad at all. however, what blew my mind was the $35 children's meal. it came with mac/cheese, soup, chicken fingers, and apple/ pear slices. not even a drink included. It was a complete joke. i wrote to the restaurant afterwards asking them to re-evaluate their kids' meal and consider making changes, but i never heard back from them.
(1)
Mark L.
While the service was nice, the $74 pp price fix menu (the only one offered) was a great disappontment. The food was very good, but every serving, inlcuding the entree, was the size of a tasting. The wine by the glass was deceptively priced, with a "full glass" of 6 ounces being priced at the 1/2 bottle rate. (Favoirte part here was when the waitor asked me if I really envisioned receiving a full glass!) We did not like the pretentious atmosphere.
(1)
Ben R.
We stopped in for an early dinner on Saturday, 8/29/10 and were impressed from start to finish. Despite the fact that they were still in the process of opening they invited us in with open arms. We were greeted in the most friendly fashion and sat at the bar for a cocktail while they started up their evening. My friend had their lime/ginger infused cocktail while I tried their tomato martin. Her drink was really refreshing, albeit a little sweet. Mine carried some intense flavors but was somewhat salty. We agreed that her's was something we would order again, mine was a one-off for its uniqueness. We were soon seated and the most wonderful dining experience began. Our server Lisa was incredibly accomodating and knowledgable. The entire staff was spot on with service in every way. The room had an incredible ambiance and was well-decorated. We started off with two wines by the glass intended to pair with our salad course. We weren't dissappointed. The meal started with a lovely little amuse bouche of smoky tomato bisque - it was so light, yet so delicious. Next up was a surreal elk carpaccio that literally knocked our socks off - it was so well done it melted in your mouth. The flavor combinations were intense yet velvety at the same time. We went on to our salads. My friend had the most amazing beet salad that might have been the hit of the evening if we had stopped there. The beet foam combined with the other ingredients made for the perfect bite. I had a 'green vegetable salad' that was also wonderful, but honestly didn't hold a candle to the beet salad. Our entrees were outstanding. I had the halibut which was perfectly cooked with the most amazing crust. I literally had to slow myself down or I would have eaten it in five enormous bites. Perfection! My friend had the most delicious trout we had ever eaten. Boned and skinned, they layered the thinnest slices of fingerling potatoes on one side of the fish and pan seared it to a lovely brown crisp. Each bite was heaven. I was stabbed with a fork twice trying to sneak extra bites. The accompanying lemon burre blanc really set the dish off. We had to decline dessert - there was just too much to choose from but we were nearly catatonic at this point. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. The food was amazing, the service impeccable. The wine list was varied and interesting, although somewhat inflated even for Vail standards (I had to find something to kvetch about!) If you are in Vail - run, don't walk, to this gem in the mountainside. You will remember the meal and the experience forever.
(5)
Mags M.
We went for dinner and they seem to only offer the 3-course (3 savory courses) prix fix for $74. The service was FLAWLESS. From the hostesses to the waiters, everyone was amazing and attentive (and warm!). I would even go as far as saying the service here was the best I experienced anywhere, even comparing the best NY restaurants. They offer half glasses of wine which is cool if you don't want to drink that much or if you want to try a bunch of different wines. The three stars is for the food. It was good but it didn't blow me away. I had the fluke - my favorite dish of the night. Very tasty, especially with the sorbet it comes with. The Elk Carpaccio was just OK for me. The Mushroom and Cauliflower Agnolotti was also just OK - it was missing something in my opinion. The base was watery (like a soup) but it didn't have much flavor. The Striped Bass was my main course and I didn't enjoy it, unfortunately It was cooked perfectly but I thought it was lacking flavor and it comes with little torn toasted pieces of bread which I didn't understand. Overall, good dinner.
(3)
Yin L.
really great food. the food seems to be fancier and more composed than what you'd expect from the seating arrangements - no tablecloths, and some of the tables are quite close together (you can hear what the people seating next to you are saying and see what they are eating). however, the food has been really great on each of the past 3 times I've been here (over 3 years). this past visit, i had the lobster salad, pork belly and scallop, new york steak (yum! - they knew how to do a salty, fatty crust), and the quince and apple turnovers. my boyfriend had a carrot appetizer that was really creative and had a delicious carrot mouse. someone always gets the sticky bun sundae, which is good but not my type of thing. they have been really consistent on each of the past 3 visits, and also across the courses. kudos.
(4)
Joshua S.
We visited during the slow season. Very inviting and stylish environment. Our server Andy was excellent, both in recommending course selection and wine pairing. She had the 3 course (2+dessert), and I the 5 course (4+dessert) and they timed it by pairing a set of appetizers and then I had my second appetizer following. All of the food was sublime and plating flawless. As the menu changes often, instead of detail food review, I'll highlight the atmosphere as wonderful, service very attentive yet invisible, and prices Vail 5star style. The after dinner drink prices are quite high, but given that you'll likely be tipsy by then, I see the strategy. The wine list has the usual high end suspects, with a handful of good below $100 wines.
(5)
Scott S.
We were so excited to try this place. What a nightmare. Service was poor. Food took forever and came out sporadically. Portions so small and taste was unremarkable. Pasta and meatballs came cold. Calimari was microscopic. $19 for kids pasta which was a bowl of spaghetti. Everything was incredibly overpriced. When we brought issues to manager/owner he didn't care and told us not to come back! Never been treated so poorly in a restaurant in my life. The owner was rude and nasty in front of our kids, which upset them. He claimed we were trying to get a free meal! The bill was over $600. Was told later at our hotel that is the manager's reputation around town. I guess there's a reason the place was empty during vacation week. Vail has many great restaurants, avoid this one and its angry owner.
(1)
rickilane b.
My first and last stop whenever I am lucky enough to make it to Vail. Yes the elk carpaccio is ROCKIN but there is so much more fun on the menu. We always try and piece mail together entrees and apps(sorry Kelly) great fun. Start with Bubbles and let Rick or whomever is behind the bar lead the way. Funny we have never sat at a table always at the bar. Handles on the backs of the dining room chairs beautiful hand blown glass and the whole wine ring concept for the fabric. It is little things like this that seperate Kelly Liken from the everyday. Can't wait to visit again and try the new Bistro I think it's in Avon? Damn now I'm hungry!
(5)
Jess M.
Food and service was excellent and a good wine menu...overall a good experience. The one big compliant is the price... we booked this place due to the menu that was posted online and the advertised price of $45 for 3 course meal. When we got in there the price was $74 and there were a few changes to the menu. When we asked the waiter about this he said that the menu had just changed that day and their web designer had not changed the site yet... a classic bait and switch. The food was excellent, but a little light on the serving size (from my husband's perspective, I was perfectly full). Although the food was great (and some would argue the higher price is completely appropriate for the quality), in the future we will pick a different place in Vail during the summer with a less price tag - and there are so many to choose from.
(3)
Jessie H.
If you come here, there is one thing you have to order: the elk carpaccio. that's it. just order plates and plates of that. no, just kidding. at least order one though. it is divine. although the chef can lighten up on the amount of pepper the dish gets. The cocktails here are also pretty good - if not interesting. There are several choices featuring Stranahan's Colorado whiskey, which straight up is pretty sweet and smooth. There is an antipasti cocktail, featuring vodka, salt, pepper, proscuitto and cheese. I really have no idea how you're supposed to drink that... or eat it? Other than that, I thought the food was just ok. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've ever had either. So I guess my suggestion is just to come here for drinks and appetizers.
(4)
Jan K.
The room and decor was beautiful, the waitstaff a pleasure, the choices on the menu of both food and drink were lovely, but the price was too high. When we ski, we don't like to eat so much that we need to sleep late. This restaurant delivered, in serving the classic fine, tiny portions. If you have a hearty appetite, be sure to order a side dish along with your entree. I thought that it was kind of cute and funny that they gave us two tiny muffins on the way out. Did they think that we wouldn't be able to afford breakfast after eating there? At some high end restaurants I feel so impressed with the food that the price seems justified. I liked Kelly Lichen's very much, but just wasn't sure the cost was fair.
(3)
Rob K.
When do you officially recognize that your ego has officially outgrown the walls of your restaurant? I guess that point hasn't been reached yet at Kelly Liken as they continue their annual trend of offering "less for more". Sure, you never expect value in fine dining in Vail, but Kelly Liken insults you with their pricing. In addition to sky-high menu prices, I recall being charged $7 (maybe more?) for a double espresso. People complain about Starbucks pricing, and I can hand them $2 and get change with my double espresso.....even in Vail. The wine list is full of trophies all over it, but please don't insult my intelligence by charging me over the wholesale cost of a bottle for a glass or marking up wines by the bottle 300%+ The Vail Valley offers a lot of fine dining choices, and while the kitchen can turn out tasty food, the proprietors should work on counting repeat customers rather than counting the money from all their "one and done" customers.
(1)
Barry R.
We are avid followers of all the Top Chef series and were looking forward to eating at Chef Liken's restaurant. Before departing on our last day, we were able to walk in and grab a table to enjoy some fine dining. Although we were lucky you may want to reserve a table in advance. After skiing/snowboarding all day, we were famished and opted for the 5-course meal as opposed to the 3-course. Ordering the 5-course meal is very filling so consider yourself warned. There are mixed reviews which may depend on the servers, but our experience was different. The wait staff accommodated all of our food requests and the food we ordered was prepared to perfection. Our group even received extra orders of desserts which put us all in food comas.
(4)
Prince H.
An amazing experience. Specializing in seasonal and locally produced meals, this is a must try place. There are enough quality wines by the glass to pair a different pour with each course, and the staff is eager and able to help you get it right. The food is amazing and you may well be served by Kelly herself, who is bright and pleasant. She suggested the braised short rib appetizer, and it was delicious, as was the entire meal. By far the best place I have eaten in the area. Not cheap, but great.
(5)
Danielle F.
Compared to restaurants like Larkspur and Sweet Basil, this place was sub par. The poor service was unexpected: my reservation was for 7:30 but my party was seated at 8:05 and told to stand in the already overcrowded bar. The table which I reserved was occupied until 8:30, so we were seated at another table (not the one I had specifically asked for months in advance). I think this place was completely overbooked and poorly managed. The food was okay although some things were overly salted and my root vegetable salad was undercooked (not tender like the description). The waitstaff was also not trained properly: I asked for a second dish of butter because we were a group of 6 and the waiter had only brought one dish for our long table and upon asking, the waiter asked me if i was sure that i wanted more butter: Yes I'm sure, otherwise I wouldn't have asked!! Grrr! There was only one waitress for our entire section and although she was pretty attentive, she definitely could've used help.
(2)
JJ Scholl s.
pics of Kelly Liken: jjscholl.wordpress.com/2… Kelly Liken is a polished, chef-owned restaurant offering seasonal cuisine...though it is rather $$$. I had Kelly's signature trout dish crusted with razor thin potato slices resembling fish scales in a lemon buerre blanc. Divine! We were even treated to one of my favs, a butternut squash soup amuse bouche.
(4)
G S.
OH. MY. GOD. Flavor explosion, and in that really good kind of way! Here's what I devoured during this dinner (we did the 5 course tasting menu...so you'll see two separate desserts at the end): 1) Elk Carpaccio--ordered this bc of what the other Yelpers have said. You guys did not let me down! it was FANTASTIC. Delicious flavors, wonderfully presented, absolutely one of the best carpaccios I have ever eaten. Server said it's a signature dish of their that will never be taken off the menu. I'll drink to that! 2) Veal sweetbreads--DELICIOUS!!! Some folks may shy away from sweetbreads. Not this guy! So delicious, devoured every bite, and the marrow in the veal bone was so deliciously lightly crisped and warmed...perfect to devour every single bite. 3) Wild striped bass--a lovely lighter entree that is packed full of flavor. You wouldn't think it by looking at it, but it's so well done, fish is not overcooked, skin is lightly crisped, the sauces and spices don't overpower it....highly recommended for a warm summer's night! 4) Roasted leg of lamb--a little too medium for my taste. They slow roast it, so the leg of lamb ends up being more medium than medium rare. Still very delicious, and the potato ganache that comes with it is amazing! The arugula pesto on top of the ganache is a bit overpowering...but wipe it off and have a little bit and it's just fine. 5) Chocolate Rosemary Creme Brulee--sounds like it would be fantastic, but was only just OK. Leaves a strange aftertaste in your mouth. I kept wanting to love it, but just didn't. 6) Sticky bun pudding--very sweet, probably too sweet for my liking, but I only had a little taste. It was delicious, though, and definitely better than the creme brulee. If you're not a sweets person, have your dining partner order this and just have a few bites off of them...it will wet the palate and satisfy the little sweet craving. Oh! And the cold asparagus soup they bring you before your meal begins...TWO THUMBS WAYYYYY UP!!!! I could have used a bowl of that in exchange for my creme brulee. LOL. It's delicious...dances on your tongue if you will! Service was great, everyone is very attentive and seems happy to be there. At times it can feel a little stuffy, but for the most part the staff tries to make you feel at home. Even their sourdough bread is delicious! And they keep bringing you more and asking if you want more, versus you having to feel like a pig for asking for more. :-) Do yourself a favor and check this place out! It's one of the better meals that I've eaten in a long time, and I'm already dreaming of the next time I'll get to go back! CHEERS!
(4)
amy H.
The food is FIVE stars all the way. The Waygu steak blew my mind! But the wait staff was terrible. Very pushy and over the top happy and enthusastic
(4)
Karen G.
Great dinner. One person had the halibut, the other had veal cheeks, and I had the steak. Everything was great including our fried green tomato appetizer and of course the sticky buns.
(4)
John K.
Great place. Really enjoyed every aspect of the experience. The food was spectacular and the wine list impressive. It is pricey though. Our meal was $ 500 for 3 people and we only had $50 of wine. It was worth the money though for sure. Each course was better than the last. Presentation and depth of flavors was excellent. The best trout I ever ate
(5)
Rick E.
So I lived in Vail for 5 years, and never stopped in til this past winter, when i decided to take an extended vacation (6 months) and head up to Vail for another season. Being a "local", I don't necessarily have millions in the bank, but i will say, sometimes you have to treat yourself. I've been to all the other places, Sweet Basil, la tour, Campo Di Fiure, Mezzaluna, Juniper, Sapphire, etc... And I would have to say that Kelly Liken is my favorite spot in town for this style of food. Contemporary American. Now I say treat yourself, because you are unlikely to leave this spot for under $120 a head. I was recommended to this place by one of their bartenders when we were shooting some pool at The George (locals bar). He said we should stop by some time and he'd buy us a drink. I took him up on his offer. After enjoying their drinks, I decided I'd have to come back for the food. I've eaten 5 times at this place. Every time, I've been treated like a king by their wait staff, which is remarkable in a place like Vail where customer service is practically a miracle to come by. Anyway, the staff is very prepared for any question you might have about the menu. Everything, no, EVERYTHING is delicious here. I can't single anything out. Their deserts are delicious and the little take home gift bags at the end of dinner give you that little extra surprise. Now by no means am I saying this place is a "Value". it isn't. it's expensive. But if you know what you're getting into, hey, pay up. The last meal i had there was the Chefs tasting menu. 6 courses including Salad, appetizer, soup, entry, cheese, desert, for the "bargain" price of $300 - Before drinks!!! Ridiculous expensive, but the most memorable meal I've ever had. And I'm from L.A.! Recap, Awesome food hands down. not cheap - don't act surprised when the check comes. My second fave, La Tour. For Steak, you can't beat Russells!
(5)
Wendee M.
The Service is awesome!!! The whole crew seems to work together to take good care of you from start to finish. I really appreciated my waiter getting me a potato pancake substitution for my short ribs! The sommelier was impeccable and helped us choose a wine in our price range that went wonderfully with all of our meals! The complimentary starter pear and squash soup was perfect fall food. All three of our entrees were just OK. the Short ribs, seafood cioppino and the potato crusted trout. Our Dessert was a experience of it's own. My dessert was the Sticky Bun Sundae that was the 3rd best dessert I have had in my life! ( the first two were at Thomas Keller establishments). The Sundae had a spun sugar web that was so beautiful I had to take a picture of it, and the whole thing tasted amazing. My friends got the fresh fruit tart, and the dueling pumpkin which were a joy to the taste buds. Go here for apps and dessert...skip the main course and you won't be disappointed!
(3)
David J.
I've been here a few times now always during our annual Vail ski trip and I must say despite all the restruants we visit during our trip I always enjoy capping the trip off at Kelly Liken. The ambiance and the attention from the staff is always superb and they do take that extra step to make sure that your meal is enjoyable. Dishs are brought out and served and taken away in the proper manner which most other resturant fail to even try. I started with a confit that was cooked to perfection and seasoned nicely to accent the meat. For my main course I had the pork duo which I had medium rare. This dish was by far one of the best pork dishes I have had in a long time. The medium rare pork was cooked perfectly and crisped pork belly was a perfect contrasting texture to the soft tender pork loin. This dish really brought out the chef's creativity and showed how they were able to meld different cuts of meats and sides into one cohesive dish . Plating was a little messy from the sauce that wasn't at the point of being nappe yet. As a side I had the rutabaga-potato roesti (essentially high-end hashbrowns) which was cooked well, but I felt they could have been much more generous with the portion for what they charged me. I had the chocolate mouse for dessert which ended up being very "meh"; for some reason it seemed as if they didn't try as hard on the desserts as a whole and it was a mere afterthought. I would have prefered and excalmation for the last dish in my meal instead of a trailing elipse. It's much easier to critique than to be critique and I understand that the resturant puts a lot of effort into what they do, but for the price point that they are charge and the ambiance that they are creating there should be no excuses. Overall I would still recommend this resturant and I will still return to this restrant again next year, perhaps I'll avoid the dessert here and get one elsewhere instead or maybe splurge for the tasting menu.
(4)
Carlynne M.
How can i describe the food??? Unbelievable. Delicious! Everything about this restaurant was excellent. From the greeting at the door to the goodbye. Yummy cocktails, excellent service, harvest meal was slamming. Kelly brought our dessert she is cute! Love it. Eat here or be stupid. This was the only reason we would return to Vail.
(5)
Angelica R.
Food was good. I appreciate the work that went into it, but not worth the money. Server was annoying with her up-selling. $160 for two with no drinks or dessert. The valet was great, though. A bit too pretentious for the mountain casual style of Vail.
(3)
Tradd N.
Just moved to town and went here with friends that were visiting and we were blown away. The staff is great. The food is wonderful, fresh and seasonal. The restaurant is contemporary and warm. Don't go because Kelly Liken is on Top Chef, go because it's good!
(5)
Kirsten F.
sweetbreads and shortribs and pork belly, oh my! like meat? if so, this is probably one of the best restaurants in vail. looking for something on the lighter side, or something from the sea? not so much at kelly liken. i had been hearing my family's rave reviews of kelly liken for two years now and had been really looking forward to my first visit. this place, on the surface, does everything right. great service, great atmosphere, interesting sounding menu. interesting "sounding" is the key. i didn't want to eat my body weight in various elements from another animal's body. i'm not a vegetarian, but i was hoping to be able to hoist myself up the hill to the house at the end of the dinner, and not tumble headlong into a food coma on my first night in the mountains. i ordered the fish. it was just sort of weird. interesting idea, with chestnuts, squash and sweet potato latkes, and a roasty-toasty pumpkin-y oil sauce... but those flavors to not go with fish. i was also extremely disappointed with the oysters as my started. this place is not cheap. if you're going for top restaurant in a foody touristy region, you better deliver. unfortunately, kelly liken let me down. my family was happy with their carnivorous choices, so go forth to kelly liken with abandon if that's what you're looking for. otherwise, hit sweet basil or sapphire or larkspur for some more variety of choices.
(3)
Alex D.
Incredible dinner. Great service and food. Gnudi appetizer and NY Strip were delicious. Ceviche middle course and sticky bun sundae dessert were wonderful. Best meal we had while visiting from Dallas. We also loved Sweet Basil but Kelly Liken is better.
(5)
amy m.
I have only been to Kelly Liken once, but I am hesitant to go back. The wait staff is EXTREMELY pushy. If you want a glass of wine, they push you to get a bottle, if you want to order one appetizer for the table, they push everyone at the table to order one individually. Salads, entrees, dessert... after they push everyone to get their own dessert, they also push some sort of after dinner scotch or a port. It's insane, and after a while you just start ordering extra things becase you feel like a cheapskate if you don't order an appetizer, salad, entree, dessert, and a couple bottles of wine. Honestly, the entree food isn't worth the price tag, mainly due to the fact that there's about 3 bites on each plate. I do give a nod to the pastry chef because the desserts are fantstic.
(3)
Chrissy C.
Kelly Liken Restaurant serves the most creative food in Vail. Rather than typical antler/ mountain decor and 'mountain' comfort food, the chef, Kelly Liken, uses local ingredients when available (I've seen her at Farmers' Markets) to create unique tastes. Steak Tartare was melt in your mouth delicious, and there was a radish sorbet wrapped in a caraway seed savory 'cone'. BBQ short ribs and halibut were perfectly cooked. Non alcoholic drinks were creatively prepared and delicious, and there was an outstanding wine selection. This is expensive, but if you are looking for a special meal, I think this is IT!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Eric W.
One of my favorite restaurants in Vail. While the menu is somewhat limited in the choices within each category, every choice is excellent. I started with the Crudo, which was not only delicious but beautifully presented; art on a plate. The elk carpaccio was also excellent. I moved to the beet parpedelli for my second course and was not disappointed. Had the pork tenderloin for my main course. Perfectly cooked, with great flavor. Home made ice cream finished it off. Service was good and the space is nice. I prefer the room around the corner from the bar. Wine list is pricy (it's Vail after all) but excellent and the soms really know their stuff.
(4)Meredith C.
Taking advantage of the off-season deals, we enjoyed a $45 three-course meal. The service here is top notch. The sommelier recommended a wine that we absolutely loved and will be purchasing at home. The spring vegetables starter and the lamb carpaccio were delicious. Round 2 was great...we had the pork belly and the sweetbread. However, I was underwhelmed by the main courses, specifically the potato crusted trout. The scallops were decent. Again, the third courses just did not wow us.
(3)Gene R.
Went there 3 winters in a row. Including 2015. Food is ok, but there are much better places in Vail for the same money or less. But barman mixes one of the best drinks in Vail. I wouldn't recommend to go there for food, but if you do have a drink there.
(3)Conrad S.
How this place does not have 4 stars is a mystery to me. The food is prepared not just by a famous chef but by a competent chef. Not only does she grasp the concept of umami (wholesome taste) but she also balances her dishes with a complete range of flavors and textures that work brilliantly and harmoniously together. From the pork belly to the duck phò everything was at the level it was expected to be at. The drinks were also good, and the White Russian and Manhattan made up for a "good" (average). The drinks however were accoutrements, the desserts were unbelievably concocted and through the serves suggestions one could easily decide on a perfect choice. It seems that the staff has kitchen experience so they can fully answer all questions about all the dishes. I would absolutely recommend this fine establishment for any special occasion or just a foodie's low key dinner.
(5)Heather L.
Here's the deal. Dirty jacket from waiter, wet dirty bathroom, boring and inattentive staff were dissappointing. But main course of Berkshire pork and short rib were good. Not as hot as they should be overall. Dessert was the star with delicious grapefruit tart and sticky bun dessert. Do not order pre fix menu. Order what sounds good to you. Overall, happy but not elated. Dining out in Vail, probably better spent elsewhere.
(3)Emily Y.
We loooove the bartender here (Ian), not only for his conversation but for his amazing cocktail menu. We tried the Rose Rum Rickey, the Gin Figgie, the Colorado Campfire and the Mesa Verde and I will tell you - with absolute certainty - you will think every one of them is in contention for best cocktail ever. The Colorado Campfire (pine nut infused bourbon, grilled peaches) is graced with a large, smoked (yes, smoked) ice cube and was unquestionably my favorite. It was insane. I've been dreaming about it every night since. In the mood for lighter fare, we ordered the Ricotta and Swiss Chard Agnolotti (delicious), the Charred Eggplant & Summer Squash Cannelloni and the Artichoke Barigoule. The food was good, definitely, but the drinks? The drinks made me want to move to Vail. :)
(5)Melissa M.
Do not go if you are starving, make sure you have eaten a small appetizer somewhere else prior to dining ay Kelly Liken. Over priced small portions. Wine by the glass was way to pricey for the pours too. Very disappointing experience.
(2)Valerie W.
6 us went to have dinner here while we were in Vail for a wedding. It was hands down the best meal we had all week - and we went out a lot! First let me start by saying that our waitress - Jessica was LOVELY! So nice, so fun to talk to, and super helpful with recommendations and suggestions. Her sweet personality truly enhanced our dining experience. The food was superb. We had the tasting menu and each course was better than the next. My zucchini fritters were awesome - and my husband loved the elk carpaccio. Everyone loved each and every course they got. The service and presentation were all top notch! Additionally - great wines! They were out of the bottle we ordered and Jessica made an awesome off the menu selection for us! Additionally - it is worth noting that we went during restaurant week - and the quality of everything was really A+ - I feel like a lot of restaurants crap out a little but during promotions - and that was certainly not the case here!
(5)Wes M.
We were shocked by the fixed price menu of $74 but were happy with the quality and creativity of the chef. I felt like I was participating in cut throat kitchen. Very unique arrangements which made for some of the best tastings I have had. Very small portions but excellent. Price is high but it is because you won't find an equal to it in Vail. Cheers.
(5)Joe A.
We're foodies and love to try the top-rated restaurants everywhere we go. Kelly Liken gets high marks in Zagats, so I don't understand the polarized reviews this restaurant gets here, but we were glad we tried it out. True, it's expensive, but it was probably the best meal I've had in Vail, and from first course to dessert, probably one of the best anywhere, even more impressive than some Michelin star restaurants we've dined at. Elk carpaccio was melt in your mouth amazing. Everyone also loved their second courses - striped bass, crispy pork belly, and sweet shortbread. The lamb loin and potato crusted trout were our 3rd courses and were superbly done well balanced flavorful dishes. The specialty cocktails were so good we each tried 2 different ones. The service was also friendly and attentive, one of the best we experienced during our week in Vail. If you're looking for a special evening and meal we'd highly recommend this place and will definitely come back.
(5)Tom S.
Amazing food. Very inventive, service was great and we loved it. A bit pricey but it was worth it.
(5)Bob H.
Kelly Liken is by far one of the best restaurants in the US. I'm amazed that it has so few stars by some reviewers. Beware that it is expensive, but the food is amazing and the service is outstanding. They now have a fixed price menu ($74) for 3 entrees, but they are as good as you will find anywhere. You can order two items off of the menu and pay a little less, but hey, if you are there you may as well go all the way. Even the valet parking was great. When we walked out the door our car was ready with the motor running. Parking is complimentary, but I'm sure the valet would appreciate a tip.
(5)David W.
My wife and I have been coming to Vail for over 20 years and have eaten at almost all of the named restaurants in town as well as Beaver Creek. We ate at Kelly Liken several years ago and had good recollections. But tonight March 6 2015 -- we felt we were witnessing superb service and excellent ambience in search of equivalent cuisine --- the Pinot Noir was ( at $22 a glass) a study in mediocrity, the scallops were at least two days old -- my short ribs seemed to resemble some boiled mystery meat atop " grits/ pecorino cheese" glop that was completely ill- defined-- only the amuse was delicious -- we skipped desert -- somebody has dropped the ball here -- too much excellent cuisine at distinctly better prices in Vail -- Sweet Basil, Flame, Matsuhisa, Ludwig's, Terra Bistro, Larkspur to name a few.
(1)P T.
Our 3rd visit to Kelly Liken... Food was great but not as memorable as years past. Perhaps the lack of presence of owners Kelly Liken, Executive Chef and her husband are impacting overall experience. Great wine list and knowledgeable staff but restaurant lacks a little atmosphere. Quiet and a bit stuffy... Don't know that it was worth the hefty price tag. Food was great...service was great... No real complaints at all...we just weren't impressed! Braised short ribs were ok... Could have been more tender and could have used more sauce on the plate . Lamb duet was good but very small portion. Other 3 courses were good. Most of our dinners in Vail this week were more memorable.
(4)Sandy C.
Great restaurant for large groups! Came here for a group dinner, hosted by CEA. We were seated in intimate rounds of 8 - 10. They had an amazing wine list & food. Best of all, when they came out with the entrees for dinner, an entire staff would come out at once with all the plates and serve everyone at once, like a well choreographed symphony. Thought that was a nice touch! Must try the cinnamon bun dessert with vanilla ice cream! Warm escape and goodness from the cold weather! Bravo!
(4)Kath M.
I was in the Vail area for the first time for a 3 night trip and the best meal of the trip was at Kelly Liken. The service was superb and the food divine, Great bang for the buck too. 3 sublime courses for $74. I started with a cocktail - Pomegranate Sparkler Leopold's Silver Tree Vodka, pomegranate juice, Prosecco and cane sugar. Very light and refreshing.The amuse bouche was a perfect spoonful of cauliflower soup of some kind that was so good I wanted a whole bowl. We ordered the Charcuterie Board (artisan salumi & house made charcuterie) for the table that was very good (see picture). For my first course, I had the Crudo, which is a different fish daily depending on what's fresh. I had Big Eye Tuna from Hawaii and it was so good....citrusy, spicy and smooth all at the same time. For course two, I had the House Made Garganelli - maitake mushroom & swiss chard ragout, hazelnuts, brown butter beurre fondue, caramelized turnips. I love turnips and this did not disappoint. Course three was Slow Braised Short Rib - smoked ricotta polenta, parsley pistou, grilled swiss chard, crunchy hominy, red wine jus. Short rib can sometimes be fatty and this was not. It was delicious. We also got a side of the caramelized brussels sprout leaves, toasted pecans, plump golden raisins. Quite good. I had something chocolate for dessert and it too was great. We had 3 great dinners on this short trip and this was definitely the best. The restaurant is located in Vail Village, across the street from the Four Seasons (we snooped there before dinner). We had some time to kill so we walked around the village and did a little souvenir shopping before dinner. The town is adorable and it looked like there were quiet a few good restaurants to choose from.
(5)Sandy A.
This is the Vail equivalent of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. You go to Bistro Fourteen for the view at lunch without having to settle for burgers and hot dogs. You go to Game Creek Lodge for the view at dinner (especially at sunset), the portions, a windowside table in carnivore heaven, and the sense of tradition. You go to La Tour if you're kickin' it old-school French with a touch of update. But you go to Kelly Liken for the food and wine--if, like me, you're a foodie and a wino--er, oenophile. A word or two of caution: first, leave your preconceptions at the door. Liken is a "Top Chef" finalist and "Iron Chef" contestant, and it shows. Nothing on the menu is conventional, and many descriptions are delightfully deceiving: e.g., a "potato risotto" turns out to be not a potato-infused risotto but rather a brunoise of potato prepared in the style of a risotto (analogous to VA's Inn at Little Washington's "Portobello Mushroom Pretending to be a Filet Mignon"). Such twists here are always clever, but never precious. No "molecular gastronomy" morphing cuisine into science projects: it's about the taste, texture, and interplay between them. The food, however artfully executed, is food first and foremost...and amen to that! Only the drinks, desserts, starters, and sides are available a la carte. Otherwise, the menu is a three-course (app, second, entree) prix fixe for the relatively reasonable price of $74 (least expensive tasting menu we've seen anywhere in over a decade). No flat rate for wine pairings, which allows you to work with the excellent sommelier to choose wines that match not just the dishes but your tastes. I chose a Schramsberg blanc de blanc as my aperitif (I usually start with a bubbly), but we decided to supplement our menu with an optional starter of delightful homemade country pork pate studded with pistachios & sultanas with grainy mustard and apricot & currant coulis. (just six bucks)! The sommelier suggested that the Bandol rosé we chose for my menu app of elk carpaccio would also work with the paté, and offered to put my bubbly in the fridge till my second course of poached egg with greens & caviar. Then came the amuse-bouche: a zesty but not too spicy gazpacho of orange heirloom tomato, accompanied by a citrusy and only slightly sweet French vermouth on the rocks. Yum. (And I normally hate vermouth). The elk carpaccio was napped with a delicate mustard cream and topped with a dollop of couscous; it was an unexpectedly generous portion, lean and far more intensely meaty than its beef namesake. And the Bandol rosé was a perfect accompaniment. My husband had an English pea soup with a dollop of fleur de lait sorbet. (He declined to order a wine, having had the house's signature clear tomato-infused martini featuring all the advantages of a Bloody Mary without the distractions of juice and garnishes). Second courses: The little pullet egg was exquisitely poached, the caviar an American osetra, and that chilled bubbly? Not just chilled and bubbly....but topped up to a full pour (I'd originally had a half-pour), at no extra charge. Husband had a Greek-style seared snapper on puréed greens, accompanied by a crisp Santorini. (Our combo of choice when dining back home in Chicago's Greektown). The potato-crusted trout was crispy on the outside and meltingly delicate on the inside, without a trace of fishiness. It was served on a bed of perfectly-cooked haricots verts with cherry tomatoes. And the 2011 Bergstrom (IIRC) Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (chosen because it was a light, Cotes-de-Beaune-esque vintage) was structured enough for the potato crust and delicate enough for the fish. The dessert list looked lovely, but I had done enough damage (albeit delightful) to my low-carb diet--fortunately, the kitchen obliged with a plate of fresh berries and cream. Espresso was perfectly done (no pod or capsule shortcuts here) with robust dark crema. And we were sent on our way with mignardises: homemade nutmeg/cinnamon-infused graham cracker, savory shortbread, fudge but light brownie and a satisfying nut brittle. Wines are not cheap--but perhaps with both budget and multiple-course pairings in mind, all the by-the-glass wines are offered in half-glass pours as well (allowing indulgence without knocking one for a loop by evening's end). We don't know if & when we'll return to Vail, but if we do we'll definitely return to Kelly Liken!
(5)Corinne T.
Way too overpriced. Food not very special. Portions tiny. Lamb was gamey. Service awful!.
(1)Caroline S.
We were completely underwhelmed & disappointed. We went out for nachos after spending $130.
(1)Steve G.
Good place for a couples dinner. My girlfriend and I went for a nice evening dinner. The staff was very friendly and professional upon entering. Being that we had an early reservation and it was mid-week in the summer we were sat immediately. The door man walked us to our table who turned out to be the Sommelier as well. He provided the wine list right off the bat and gave us some ideas. Since we don't know much about wine we asked for a lighter red. He chose to go with a nice French Pinot Noir. Even though I'm not much of a wine expert I'd have to say he made the right choice. After that we were attended to by our waiter. We chose to go with the 3 course meal that we each essentially shared. All three courses were dynamite with bread being served at all times. In addition, my girlfriend doesn't eat meat often and the chef came up with an awesome vegetarian option that was not on the menu. Fried green tomatoes if I recall; I was a bit jealous of it. Afterwards we opted out of dessert and went on our way. All in all it was a lovely evening. The only reason I knocked off a star was the high price. They charged full price to a local who works in the guest service industry in the middle of summer (yes, they knew since that was the first question from the waiter). But I knew that going in so I'm certainly not upset. Waiter got a nice tip out of me but he would have done better if he helped a brother out.
(4)Celin M.
We loved it!!! we went for my daughters birthday, the staff prepared personalized menus for all of us wishing my daughter a happy birthday. The staff was friendly very attentive. I was really impressed by the food, each plate was a beautiful presentation and everything we had was delicious!! I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Samantha L.
Okay, seriously, every restaurant owner and chef in the world needs to go visit Kelly Liken for tips on how to be an amazing restaurant. We eloped to Vail with our parents in tow and chose Kelly Liken as our big fancy night-before-the-wedding dinner location. First, they helped my mom order a wedding cake from a local bakery for delivery at dessert to surprise us. Then, when we arrived, special menus said "Congratulations" at the top for all of us. Next, we indulged in amazing food and awesome service in a unpretentious and airy restaurant with contemporary and cozy decor perfect for a mountain town. Finally, we were treated with the perfect level of service when we didn't like one of the specials some of us had ordered -- apologies with an explanation (different cuts of beef per night, something you get a bad one), a discount on the bill, and a new fantastic dish replacing it in a speedy timeline. Oh, and lots of little amuse-bouche compliments of the chef, including some delicious morning muffins in little bags for the next morning. Simply put: A top restaurant as a top restaurant should be.
(5)Kevin M.
Begin with Anna, the practically perfect server. Listen to her, if she suggests it, do it, even if you don't think you'd like it. Then go to a delightful amuse bouche of a tuna tartar, to a watermelon lobster gaspacho, and diver scallops. All beautifully presented, and with the layers of intense flavor that scream out "great chef"! And the sticky bun sundae....I don't really like sticky buns but this darn thing was addictive. Think legal dessert crack and you get the idea. A little pricey, but it's Vail. I love this place, and consider it one of the first choices for a special occasion.
(5)Andrea H.
Apparently I will do almost anything to avoid calling a place. Want proof? I searched everywhere online to find out if Kelly Liken has an a la carte menu. You see, I was dining alone and, while I have no problem with that, the thought of a leisurely multi-course meal did not really appeal to me. So I broke down and called. For all of you out there who are just like me, yes, they do serve an a la carte menu. Once I arrived, I found out why no one is talking about it. They don't seem to want you to know that they do it. The menu only offers the prix fixe, you have to ask about the a la carte. As of today, first courses are $16, second courses $18 and mains are $32. Not too bad, I thought. Something that you should realize if you go this route, though, is that the first and second courses are light. Like, I finished one of each and was still a little hungry. If you're hungry, your best bet is the full prix fixe. But let's be real, I'm a cocktail girl. The food is great but the best part about this place, to me, is the cocktail menu. Definitely the most creative and interesting of any place I've been to in Vail. I started with the My Darlin' Clementine. So amazing! I'm kicking myself that I don't remember all of the ingredients but I loved the fresh sage, clementine juice and house made chai syrup. That is a dangerous cocktail. Once I got to chatting with the bartender, he recommended the Chancellor. The scotch was very nicely balanced with the citrus flavors. Delicious. The elk carpaccio that I started with was very good. It was salty and flavorful and exceeded my already high expectations. For the second course, I was waffling between the sweetbreads and the razor clams with escargot. I always get sweetbreads so I decided to try something new. The clams and escargot did not disappoint. It was light and flavorful. I don't really love lemon but it worked really well with this dish. Once I finished these courses I seriously considered ordering a main. The people next to me were raving about their meals but I decided to skip to dessert. I ordered the pumpkin financier. What a cool dish! I liked the pumpkin cake and it was really good with the caramel and the black ale ice cream. And let's be honest, who doesn't love caramel corn? I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this place but, overall, the staff was really friendly, the food was great and the cocktails were awesome. Sitting at the bar was really cool too because I got to see how much the bartender loves what he does. The bartenders actually create several of the drinks on the menu and it sounds like there are some good ones coming up. Can't wait to come back to try them all!
(4)Greg K.
Great 5 star experience. Perfect service. Portions are on smaller side but this is more of an art than food. Desert wine flight was a great choice. Wood visit again anytime!
(5)Margaret B.
We went for the pre-fixe menu. Fantastic food and service. We didn't love our seating. We were squished into a row of tables and it felt like we could join in with the tables next to us. Somewhat hard to hear and focus on just each other. But everything else was superb. We'll be back.
(4)S F.
Love this place. They make special occasions into a big deal. They even make you a special separate menu that has your name on it. We kept ours! Love the treats on the way out!:mini muffins for breakfast! thanks Sarah and Nate!
(5)E T B.
Excellent service, food and setting! Valentines dinner could not have been better. I will be back.
(5)Jaime L.
Customer service, attention to detail and delicious seasonal American cuisine is exactly what you will get when you dine at Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail, CO. For our meal we started with the elk carpaccio that had delicate hits of herbs and smoke. It was served with a bulgar taboulleh salad that was sprinkled with pomegranate seeds that added a nice freshness. The carpaccio was also topped with a whole grain mustard aioli that finished out the dish with just enough brininess and richness. Next up was the seared pork belly served with an apple cider jus. It was a slightly smaller portion that I had expected but the flavors packed a punch which really surprised me. The pork was tender and had great depth in flavor. I felt like the chef made it with tons of TLC which sometimes you cannot taste in restaurants. Our meal finished up with a tasting of house made desserts including a semi-sweet macaroon, a velvety brownie and a grapefruit lollipop to name a few. Yes the food was amazing but more so was the overall experience, even for 'just' sitting at the bar. The waitstaff was attentive in the best of ways, not overly aggressive in checking how we were doing but right there when we needed our plates cleared or our silverware replaced. The bartender Matt (I think that was his name) was friendly and charming while simultaneously mixing martinis without missing a step. I was also impressed with what I am going to call the front of the house manager who was fluttering around the dining room making sure guests were being taken care of. I guess if I had to make one complaint it would be about the dining room chairs that I felt looked a bit casino-buffet because of their fabric. I am nit-picking at this point because truly everything felt so thought out and done with intention.
(5)John P.
Had an outstanding time on Sunday night. Every dish my wife and I had was excellent, different and interesting. The service was superb, and had a special menu printed up for my wife's birthday. The portions are on the smaller side, so don't go if you're looking for a buffet. The wine list was great, and the half bottle option is a nice touch. It isn't cheap, but isn't particularly different than most vail restaurants. I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Michael V.
3rd time here and the service is always top notch along with their food. Valet service is a great bonus being in Vail if you're driving. The menu has great flavors. Highly recommend
(5)Wesley P.
First strike, no grey goose. Two, undercooked fish. Third strike, long time patrons and there was no attempt by the staff to correct the issues. Let me say, that in years past this restaurant blew every other establishment in the valley out of the water. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Overpriced and underwhelmed.
(1)Tim M.
Ok food. Average for Vail but prices were well over average. Service was rude. Overall a bad experience.
(1)Chris M.
We enjoyed a very nice meal for my birthday. The service was excellent and the wine selection very good. My only downside was the service was too quick, with the meal taking an hour. I'd prefer a three course meal to take a little longer but that's a personal taste.
(4)Joel L.
Thought I would add a review as I look through the reviews it seems as though you have either a great experience or a poor one at this restaurant. My wife and I went to the Farm-to-Table dinner on this past Sunday evening and were not impressed at all. We came to the conclusion that the poor service must be due to the fact that this is a less expensive dinner compared to the other nights and so no one was truly motivated to work. The food also lacked the attention I was expecting after reading the other rave reviews. The only ingredient I could match to the farmers market early that day was the Palasade Peaches. All in all the restaurant just did not seem to invest to the level that I suspect they can acheive based on the other reviews so I am not certain whether to just avoid Sunday nights or this restaurant is truly over-rated?
(2)Howard L.
Was recommended by Four Seasons Hotel and they must get a kick back or have ownership interest Pathetic food at best Only have Prix Fixe for $74 which my dog wouldn't eat. What a rip off Stay away -Far away!
(1)Robyn S.
All I have to say is that I was thoroughly impressed with the exceptional service I received when dinning here on vacation last week! I can't remember when the last time I had such good service at a restaurant, I mean this was TOP NOTCH!!! The food was just as amazing too! The menu is always changing so you never know what you are going to get. I do have to say that since I live in California and Foie Gras is now illegal, I was so happy to see it on the menu at Kelly Liken and it was delicious!!!! The sticky bun desert was to die for!!! Thank you, Kelly Liken for a wonderful experience! I will most definitely be back!!!
(5)Casey S.
Worst price-to-quality of ANY restaurant I've EVER been to. NYC, SF, Chicago, you name it. So so disappointed. And we even went in the offseason, with $45 three course meals and 50% off wine, and our bill was still $225.00 before tip. Insanely overpriced (even with the offseason special) for the food/ quality you get. If I would have paid full price, this would be a zero star review. Stop reading this review and head across the street to La Tour. 5x better and 30% cheaper. The food portions were TINY even for an upscale restaurant. The wine was okay, but $65 for a $15 bottle in the liquor store? That's expensive even for a nice restaurant. I'd expect more like 3x markup, max ($45). The entrees were okay (duck & steak), but we've had better at modestly priced 'yuppie' restaurants in Denver. Restaurants that are less than half the price. The sauces on the entrees were underwhelming and not enough sauce to cover the meat. I had to add pepper to both entrees, a rarity for me. The ambience was TERRIBLE. The space seriously reminded me of the Cheesecake Factory. Trying to be upscale but WAY too corporate and stale. It really is this bad, this isn't an exaggeration. Save your money, go anywhere else in Vail. This experience was the absolute worst of our wonderful weekend in Vail. Wish I could chargeback my Visa, I feel ripped off.
(2)John M.
Ripped off in Vail!! Ate at Kelly Liken with my family last week. The food was salty, portions were very small. None of us are big eaters but seriously the portions are minuscule compared to Sweet Basil, Terra Bistro, Mountain Standard, La Tour, Zinos, etc. as for the price of appetizers, entrees and wine....$$$$$$$$ outrageous! They actually sell half glasses of wine for $14 or a full glass for $28.... In a league of its own. Which I'm fine with, if the food is amazing. Nothing amazing here...save your money and go somewhere that's focused on better food and fair value. Starving and now broke :-(
(1)JIMMY N.
CONTINUATION OF ORIGINAL REVIEW! DESSERT: "Can't be Missed" Sticky Bun Sundae: bite sized pieces of cinnamon sticky bun, warm caramel, toasted pecans, vanilla bean ice cream. Taste-wise... it was very good. The warm sweetness from the brown sugar, cinnamon and caramel melting the cold refreshing ice cream was sinful. My only two problems with this dessert were... 1) the bun's edges were dried out and stale. 2) the Ice Cream had ice crystals inside. Exceptional ice cream should be creamy and free of ice crystals. tsk tsk Overall, it was a good experience. The entire staff made the evening memorable. That's all you can really take away from a restaurant... a full belly and lasting memories! Just found out that you can buy a discount coupon restaurant.com . Aww rats!
(4)Katherine C.
This review is a year and a half old. 5 stars for the kitchen staff on the delectable meal.. we had a carpaccio appetizer that was melt-in-your-mouth delicious from a local colorado (elk I believe?) farm, my husband had his go-to, pork belly (best ever), and I had the nightly fish special. I wish I could rave about how perfect the meal was in presentation and taste because everything WAS delicious! If I could have sat, served and bartended for myself this could have been my best meal in Vail yet. But we had such an awful service experience from both a snobby front desk team (long wait, eye rolls and attitude included) and disinterested, rude server that I wanted to say something incase it helps the management make changes in the future. I understand that you're a famous spot in the area but we have been to many similarly wonderful restaurants around Vail through the years and never had such an experience. I'd try it again for the food but my husband swore he'll never go back. If you're heading here, hopefully you catch everyone on a better night...
(3)Erika B.
Dissapointing and overpriced. I think overpriced is the main point here. Was the food good? Sure, it was fine. But for $40 a plate this restaurant is a dime a dozen. I wanted to like it, really. I had the potato crusted trout filets with brussel sprouts and rasins. All of the ingredients were local. The potato crust was a bit too salty for my liking. I think I was a bit more discerning than I would normally have been because the service was snail-paced and we got grouchy after waiting for 30 minutes.
(2)Mark B.
I realize and feel bad that I have only written two reviews....I have had lots of great meals and I need to write those up in the future. I guess the reason for this is I want to warn yelpers- this place is all hat and no cattle. We were seated in front of the door, freezing. Then I had carrots- the only good piece of the meal and they were just carrots. The foie gras was coldand the steak was cold, sliced, cheap and inedible. Don't go- there must be better out there. I will write up where we eat tomorrow to try to contribute more than just warnings.
(1)Ryan C.
We went and sat at the bar last minute. We were pretty excited as we'd heard some great things about KL. Expectations can be tough sometimes... Had some mediocre cocktails and dove into the charcutierie plate. This was a nice selection, and a good start. Fluke Crudo was unremarkable. Could have used acid/salt. Next up was the Jonah Crab. This dish was awful. The crab tasted old or canned. Not recommended. The Elk Carpaccio was finally something that wowed us. A really excellent, balanced dish, bursting with flavor. Cauliflower Mushroom Agnolotti was solid. I'll echo other reviewers' price/value sentiments. If you're going to charge a boatload, it better knock my socks off. Only half a sock was knocked with that Elk dish. The decor/art in the place is awful. I doubt I'd go back.
(2)lisa l.
One word: disappointed (the food that is). especially for the price. We happen to visit Vail when temps were in the negative during the evening so the complementary valet parking was nice... and they had our car ready and warmed up by the time we left the restaurant. 2-thumbs up! They offered only a 3-course prix fixe menu, which we didn't mind. in fact, we (party of 2) usually like prix fixe menu. So at $74pp we expected to be delighted with the meal but was totally disappointed. the flavors most of the dishes did NOT mesh well and left us confused of what the chef was trying to achieve some statements to describe our dishes: - smelled fishy and not at all fresh - that tasted like greens that came fresh from my blender/juicer (which i like for my mornings but not as a main course). razor clams and escargot shouldn't have that flavor - DRY! stuffed pheasant breast - is steak (sliced into 4) supposed to be served that cool/cold? - at least the itsy bitsy seared foie gras on the dish was tasty - wow, the dessert (orange blosson gelato) was the dish of the evening! (SAD!) - server's recommendation of apple turnover for dessert was nothing special 3-course prix fixe for party of 2+desserts+3 cocktails+1 glass of wine... equated to $259.xx before gratuity........... i've dine in enough destinations to know this meal was a complete WASTE. the night before we dined at Sweet Basil . go there for the pork chops, which is their staple
(1)Lisa S.
Probably one of the best meals I've had in Vail. Service *very* attentive, food good. But overpriced. Tab was about half what I recently spent at a 3 star (Alinea), and the 3 star was definitely more than twice as good. While a really good meal, not at the creative or complexity level of a michelin star place. Still, a really good meail in Vail.
(4)Suzy E.
I have never in my life taken the time to review a restaurant, but our experience tonight at Kelly Liken was so poor, so pathetic, so beyond reproach, so beyond the pale, well, here I am writing. I called for a reservation earlier this week and was told they couldn't accommodate my family - 11 of us enjoying an extended family vacation - at one table, but could put us in side by side tables on a banquette. That seemed like a good idea. By the way, this was for a 5:30pm reservation because we have kids in the group. We got there right at 5:30 and were shown to a round table for 8 next to a square table for 4 smack in the middle of the dining room. I told the manager about my conversation with the woman who booked the reservation and he seemed totally unbothered and somewhat unwilling to help amend the situation. Again, it was 5:30 and the restaurant was empty. More on that later. I then suggested we just leave the restaurant and let our hotel who made the suggestion know that he preferred not to help us figure out a solution, so he quickly changed his tune and asked what I thought he should do. I said why not push the tables together? He looked horrified, sighed, and told his waitstaff to do so. I wish we had just walked out then. FIFTY MINUTES AFTER ORDERING, nothing but amuse bouches had arrived. This after asking the waitress no less than 5 times to bring our dinners as soon as they were ready, please. I even said to her we appreciate the idea of spacing in a nice restaurant, but we had all skied and were all tired, especially the kids. She smiled and assured me the chef was working on it. By then, I had seen Kelly Liken walk through the restaurant several times. She did not look too hard at work. Clearly her powers of observation were not in play. SEVENTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, one plate of buttered pasta arrived for the 3 year old. Those of you who are parents appreciate what happens when one kid gets fed and not the rest. NINETY MINUTES LATER, the rest of the kids dishes came. Nothing yet for the adults, save a salad for my sister in law. Yet again, we asked for dinner to come promptly, Yet again, Kelly Liken walked by our table. Yet again, nothing. By then, my 2 year old was out of gas, and my four and a half year old was not far behind, so silly me, I thought Id take them back to the hotel to put them down and spare any meltdowns for fellow patrons. I just wish the restaurant had been as considerate as I tried to be. I had them pack up my dinner and off I went. The time was 7:15. 1 hour 45 minutes after we arrived. No adults had been served . I got back to the hotel and while my kids were in the bath, I opened up my to-go boxes The most repulsive looking $40. steak you have ever seen, and the side order of brussell sprouts consisted of perhaps three shredded sprouts, a smashed walnut, and a few raisins. Delicious, by the way, but one bite max. My brother returned to the hotel, and told me what transpired after I left. He and my mom asked to speak to the manager and let them know how disappointed we were with the service, the dinner, the experience, and what happened next is shocking. The manager practically screamed at my brother and mother. He told them he would be happy if we never returned to the restaurant. He said we were looking for a free dinner and how dare we try to pull a fast one on them. By the way, the restaurant was still empty when our party left. Including the banquette the manager had said we should have never been offered. EMPTY. The bill: $600. plus. You must be kidding me. For anyone with kids, DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT. There are so many wonderful family restaurants in Vail. Save yourself the pretension and attitude. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)Ken J.
I really wanted to love Kelly Liken, I really and truly did. However, I was nonplussed by our server's attitude and her seeming lack of passion and enjoyment in what we thought of the whole experience. But I start in the middle, so let's back up to the beginning. Last year when we were in Vail I'd heard and read great things about Kelly Liken and we tried to get in, spur of the moment on a Friday evening, and were unable to do so and went to Larkspur instead (more on that in another review). However, I vowed that next year we would return and dine there. Therefore, a week in advance of our vacation, I made reservations which we then duly honored. The appointed day arrived, Saturday at 7:45 and we trooped on over to the restaurant. Our table was ready and waiting and we were seated immediately. Our server arrived quite some time after we'd been seated and didn't take our drink order right away (a pet peeve of mine) even though she'd been attending to the table next to ours, she didn't even stop to say she was busy and she'd be right with us. No, she just ignored us. So we sat. The space is nice, small but not cheek-by-jowl close like in some London or NYC restaurants, but you could still overhear conversations next to you quite clearly. I did finally end up ordering a flight of roses, one of which was off and which she replaced with fresh (and fuller) glass. The menu offers a 3 course prix fixe, of which I partook, and my wife and son both ordered just appetizers, my wife a salad, and then my son an entree special. Oh yeah, there was also an interesting amuse bouche to start the meal, but I don't recall what it was other than that there was a potato chip (my description, not theirs) as part of it. It was good. So, I had heirloom tomato salad with shaved fennel and parmesan for the first course followed by grilled lamb cheeks with peas and then pan roasted breast of pheasant with grilled peaches and wild rice. It was all, well, good, but not, phenomenal, aside from the lamb cheeks, which I'd never had before, and they were more interesting than phenomenal. I had a lovely glass of something dark, red, and delicious, but I can't remember what it was, to accompany my meal. On that point, though, Kelly Liken does shine: They have a tremendous, and tremendously awesome, selection of wines by the glass. So kudos to them on that. My wife liked her salad just fine and regretted not ordering the tomato salad and my son had grilled scallops on Israeli cous cous, which he really enjoyed. So, the food was beautiful and beautifully presented and nothing was terribly played with or oversauced. It was fresh and local and seasonal, all things for which I search when dining out these days, but, it was missing something. If our server had interacted with us, cared about us, cared about our comments, bothered to have a conversation with us, been in the least bit friendly or charming, it would have made a huge difference. I knew it was going to be pricey, I wasn't overly concerned about that. But this just wasn't special. I'm sorry, but we'll not be going back.
(3)Michael T.
I was stoked to enjoy some fine dining in the Vail Valley this past weekend, and I'm very happy to report that Kelly Liken did NOT disappoint. From start to finish the meal was delicious. The drinks were really incredible, the bean salad was amazing complex, the lamb was great, the NY strip was good, and the desserts were this really neat mix of sweet and savory (rosemary dark chocolate crème brûlée). Service was also on the ball. Courses were served slowly; at no point did we feel rushed through dinner. The valet had the car ready for us before we even paid the bill. Nice touches throughout. Oh, and we lucked out with an off-season fixed price menu. Kelly Liken didn't disappoint.
(4)Rachel N.
So I thought I had to dislike Kelly Liken based on the fact that I found her abrasive on Top Chef, but truly, in a town where an entree routinely costs $40+, at KL, I've slowly come to realize that the price is justified. Menu changes regularly -- if you're there and the scallops are on the menu, I would highly recommend hitting that -- and the elk carpaccio got rave reviews all around. My potato crusted trout was buttery and delicious (though the potato could have been done a bit more), and all other mains (lamb, venison or something else gamey) were all enjoyed thoroughly. Desserts are not an afterthought, and creative deliciousness is alive and well on the plates. Oh, also, the cocktails are dangerously drinkable. Overall, despite Kelly's apparently odd mannerisms and lack of femininity (thank you Bravo), she cooks some truly wonderful food that I would gladly pay $90+ per person.
(4)S. Paul L.
Imagine my surprise when right around the corner of our honeymoon suite was a Top Chef restaurant. We went to Kelly Liken's for our last meal before flying back to the east coast and we were greatly satisfied with one of the best meals that either of us had eaten while in Colorado. We loved Sweet Basil and Terra Bistro and I can't honestly say we had a bad meal the entire time in Vail, but Kelly Liken's was the pinnacle of our adventure. Sweet Bread was excellent. The wife and I both had duck, which was beautifully cooked. For desert we had a piece of their chocolate stout cake, which was also very tasty and unlike many places, they don't over-sugar their stout cake. Prior to the meal we decided to order a Cote du Bourg, which was pretty revolting. I felt bad and am not one to normally send things back and we were going to drink the glass quickly and order something else, but the waitress and bartender were more than happy to take the wine back and bring us something else instead. I'm not sure if the wine had actually turned, but needless to say I won't be ordering a Cote du Bourg anymore. I like all different types of varietals and anything from France has always been a good choice for me, but this wine simply wasn't good at all. It was very nice of them to make that change for us.
(5)Rozita N.
Solid restaurant but price/ quality wise was not a wow
(4)Maya K.
went there for valentine's dinner and it was pretty awful. The first two courses were good- crudo and a mushroom pasta dish. The entree was awful. My boyfriend and I both had the trout and it had absolutely no flavor. It could have used a lot of lemon or something to make it edible. I go to vail every year for a one week conference where we entertain clients and i would not bring them here after such a dismal dinner. We were in and out within an hour.
(2)Lily T.
I was here on a business trip with my company for our annual sales conference. Since we're a big group, they ended up closing the restaurant for us that night and had a custom corporate menu. I must say, I was very dissapointed. I had the carpaccio which was pretty good and not gamey - which I was concerned about. As an entree, I had lamb - the portions were teeny tiny and had a weird aftertaste. Other people at my table had halibut and it was the size of a small nugget. No one was full and eventually someone complained. I'm a frequent visitor of upscale restaurants and if you're going to serve tiny portions of food - make it amazing. Serving tiny portions of average food isn't going to win anyone over.
(2)John R.
This was hands down the best overall dining experience I've ever had! I dined here multiple times during August of 2010 while on my honeymoon. It all started on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon when local farmers brought their goods to the streets of Vail. Among the vendors, fresh food and tantalizing smells, I saw Kelly Liken herself, basket in hand, picking her days menu. We had reservations for Sunday evening because we heard that on Sundays, she created a menu based on her finds at the farmers market. We were so excited to see what Living in Season was all about. When we arrived at our appointed time, Cynthia greeted us with a 'Happy Honeymoon! Please follow me!' We were happy to oblige. Once seated, we noticed our menu's were custom printed for they stated, 'Happy Honeymoon!' at the top of each page. We promptly were greeted by our server, Andy and then the sommelier. We had the wine flight and beer tour to compliment our Sunday Harvest Menu. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere inviting and the food outstanding. We were so enthralled by our experience that we simply couldn't bear to leave. So, we headed to the bar where we found a cocktail that's still top on our list, the Clementine Kicker. Clean orange citrus spiked with a muddled jalapeno kick. Amazing. Our experience didn't end there as they had a live jazz band that asked us to come up and dance to the tune, 'Our Love is Here to Stay'. The overall experience was so amazing that I'm still so impressed that I decided to write a review over a year later. Thank you to everyone at Restaurant Kelly Liken for the most memorable dining experience we've ever had.
(5)Terry S.
Hey of four entrees one was ok one was mediocre and two were lousy. Of the other courses the scallops had a tasteless sauce and not half as good as the same dish at Russell's. Excellent somellier and good wine list. Unfortunately an owner convinced she can skimp on quality of cooking and serve fairly poor quality product
(1)Tracy A.
3.5 stars. Great menu. But our fish entrees were overcooked, and the service was so-so. Disappointing, especially after seeing Kelly Liken do such great things on Top Chef. K.L. has an outstanding menu of fresh ingredients, accompanied by a nice wine list. The interior is bright, modern, and pleasant. And they start off well, with a warm greeting by the (free) valet and by the hostess. Maybe we were there on an off night, but the place did not live up to the hype. We received two different dinner menus; when we asked which one was correct, they took away the incorrect one, but never replaced it (not a big deal, but sort of awkward for a fine-dining establishment). The beginning, an amuse-boche, was a delicious little serving of carrot soup. Then we were served the wrong salad. But when we received the correct one, it was fabulous: Pureed fresh green peas, white beans, greens, and a perfectly poached egg. They do get points for effort. Virtually every person working there stopped by our table at one point or another, either to drop off something or to ask if we needed anything. (Though this became tedious after the 3rd person asked if I was finished with my Sticky Bun Sundae dessert. I wasn't... the dessert was excellent.) But our striped bass and halibut dishes were substantially overcooked -- and no one inquired about our entrees until about 15 minutes after we received them, at which point we were done picking away at the food. For the record, my halibut was accompanied by excellent flavors, and the striped bass was also. If only the main event could be as good as the apps and sides.
(3)April C.
I must say I'm very sad to write this review because I had heard such great things about this place, however after my experience I will not return. The good: 1) The drink menu at the bar is intriguing and everything was mixed to a balanced perfection. 2) The atmosphere and vibe of the restaurant is good. Relaxed, approachable environment with a modern mountain design. The bad: 1) Our appetizer order was incorrect TWICE. What made it worse is two waiters harassed my husband to just eat the second mistake rather than offering to correct it. My husband was embarrassed and gave in. They also did not give us any discount or free dessert to make up for their mistakes. After thinking about it later that evening I was really upset about how they handled this situation. You expect better from a restaurant of this caliber. Embarrassing people into eating something they did not order is just unacceptable in my book. 2) No one at our table was "blown away" by their meal. In fact, three of us thought it was okay, and one person rated their meal as good. No one at the table thought is was a great menu or meal. 3) It's WAY to expensive for what you get. I've been to expensive places all over this country that deliver fantastic, unforgettable food and believe me, this is not one of those places. So to recap. I will not return and I would much rather go to a place like Dish in Edwards, Colorado where the menu is fresh, local and creative. It's worth the extra 10 minute drive.
(1)Elizabeth R.
This was only an ok experience, though not bad. The presentation of the food was beautiful. Like, take a picture of every plate beautiful. And it was good, though very overpriced. My short ribs were actually on the bland side, which was unfortunate, as it was the main dish. A good selection of wine was available, and all the ones I sampled were very tasty. The service, while efficient, was totally by the book, which I hate. I get that there are things you should mention as the server, but it was such a staged speech that we actually felt like she wasn't really talking to us, just talking near us, if that makes sense. It was overpriced I think, and in that area, that says a lot. There are other options in the area with food of the same quality, for less, in an atmosphere that is far more welcoming. Not sorry I went, I just wouldn't go again.
(3)Doug P.
Quality of food and excellence in service. Tremendous spot for business meal.
(5)Alyce K.
Menu was interesting but mediocre taste especially for the price. The waiter was condescending and pretentious Overall not one of the best in vail
(1)Arnold L.
Wow.... the service is excellent and the ambience is delightful. They served a beef dish that COULD NOT BE CUT!....At first three in our party of six who all had this problem assumed it was because of dull knives....the knives were fine and th truth was the meat was the consistency of LEATHER......only when the waiter could not cut the meat was it returned....at first class prices the quality control is below McDonalds and the local Eats restaurant..... shame on this restaurant and this farce. How many customers will experience this before they shut this place downb or develop minimum quality control standards!....
(1)Jerry H.
One of my Vail favorites. Great food, and service. Wonderful wine list. Their desserts are worth the trip alone. Pure elegance.
(5)Taylor L.
Kelly Liken was awesome! For apps we got the elk carpaccio, and the goat cheese & tomato agnolotti. The agnolotti was out of this world. The elk was good too, but maybe a little dry and gamey? It was served with a tabbouleh, which I thought was interesting. For main courses, I ordered the lamb which was served with a homemade apple sauce, gnocchi and pea shoots. The lamb was the best entree. But I also tried the New York strip, the wild boar, and the Colorado bass. Each of them was beautifully prepared. Also, get the sticky bun desert.... absolutely out of this world!! The service was great - really sweet girl from Bulgaria. We also got to meet Kelly who was down to earth and excited to tell us about Sunday's where they have a "local's night" and prepare food from the farmer's market. Overall, it was great and definitely a new favorite dining spot in Vail. The general consensus was that it was even better than Sweet Basil, which has been a family favorite for years!
(4)Brittany B.
Where to start?! This was possibly the BEST meat I've ever had. - Elk Carpaccio: yelpers don't lie when they say this is a must have! Get it with a rose champagne - Prime Rib Bison cooked 2-ways with rosti: the meat just melted in my mouth, I couldn't get over it. And the rosti had one of the best green onion-herb flavors I've ever tasted. With this dish I had a cab recommended by our waitress. - Sticky Bun Sundae - this was a bit of a let down. Maybe too sweet and heavy for me. It was a mix of pecan pie and sticky breakfast buns. Would love to come back for a special occasion... definitely pricey, but I felt it was worth it!
(5)Kristal C.
Very much enjoyed my experience here and would come again to try other dishes. Though the experience was far from perfect, it was tasty, innovative, and memorable. Overall rating I would give a 3.7 and round this up generously to 4 stars. Off the prix fixe menu: _The fluke crudo was highly recommended by our waitress--fluke slices adorned with pickled beets and vinaigrette, balanced with a contrast of salty/sour flavors. The ginger-lemongrass sorbet was out of place, in my opinion, in terms of taste and intended complement? The dish otherwise would've been perfect had it not been for the TWO HUGE BONES I said hello to when chewing a slice of fluke. This is like the kiss of death for me--bones, in sashimi?! What added to this was that I was seated in the middle of a rectangular table amongst 10 other attendees at a work function--so imagine my horror at having to stealthily pick/spit out these bones and subsequently trying to hide them on my plate but being unable to given the mixture of a horrible bloody beet mess. Ugh. _Marrow bone risotto: I rarely say no to marrow and was happy with the decision. While the sauce is a creamy parmesan, the dish still comes off really light (and delicious). I did get thrown off by (and I realized at this point that it was kind of a restaurant theme) the mix of savory flavors with sweet. Contrast is welcomed, but it felt a bit weird in these dishes at times, the random sweetness. _Pan roasted duck breast: a bit torn here because while the duck was cooked perfectly and tender, the sauce was a bit too sweet for me. Overall the plate was nicely done. Dessert: my favorite was the sticky bun sundae, which is pretty similar to a decadent bread pudding--so good.
(4)Jared M.
I am review #24. Tonight was a special night for the Kelly Liken (also the chefs name). There was a viewing of the show top chef. Apparently she was on this show and went pretty far... I am pretty clueless to television (we don't have) reality shows. We started off with a Fried Green Tomato with some sliced up heirloom 's. Then a had a crab cake with watermelon gazpacho and chili oil, followed by a 3rd appetizer (large size) of veal sweet breads. A couple drinks...some previously passed around appetizers (top chef show special compliments of Kelly Liken) and we were pretty full.... The staff was very nice: Julia from Scotland greeted us at the start. Then there was Lisa from Beverly Mass, Ollie who previously worked at the Boulders in Arizona, and Triple G the bartender. Thanks for a nice experience to you all... Last note: as for pricing...yes expensive, but then again, so is rent in Vail Village. The place is doing something right....
(4)Alissa T.
Impeccable service, delicious fresh locally sourced food, warm and friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend this restaurant. The Sunday night pre fix menu was sublime! We went there Sunday afternoon to make reservations for dinner. There was no one there yet and the chef came out and told us what was going to be on the menu for that night's dinner. The menu was created that day from things they bought at the farmer's market. They personalized the pre-fix menu for our dietary restrictions and put a note in the computer about it. When we came back later that night for dinner our server was aware of our menu change and it was no problem. The service was excellent as was the food. On Sunday nights they have a live jazz band that really added a nice ambiance to the whole experience. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Craig H.
4.8. Kelly Liken would be a hit in any big city where foodies expect spectacular creativity. In Vail it is a gem amongst a sea of average tourist restaurants. The service flows like the wheels of a Swiss watch. They are pleasant and always show up at just the right moment. The only flaw is the tables are a little close and the noise level a little high.
(5)Jonathan W.
We stopped by Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail for the Sunday harvest meal. On Sundays in the summer Kelly and her chefs go out to the local farmers market to get ingredients at the peak of freshness and put it together for a 3 course feast for the senses. From the friendly greeting at the door and the attentive staff to the incredible food a meal here is well worth the drive up from Denver and even more so if you happen to be in the area. The stand out for us was a vegetarian Risotto and an incredible bass dish that was one of the better fish dishes I have ever had. The bottom line if you're in the area and you want some very very good food go to Kelly Likens if you go anywhere else and your food is not incredible you only have yourself to blame. If you would like to see pictures of our meal feel free to visit our blog.
(5)Jackie W.
Ok. Maybe this is my belly talking, but I mostly come to a restaurant to eat. And I do this quite well at Kelly Liken. What I particularly like is that the menu is always a mix of standards and new items to tempt my palette. People criticize this place for the décor, pushy waitstaff, etc. I have never experienced any of that from the place. While I don't find the décor is particularly in my style, I don't think it detracts from the food. I love the detail that is put into creating an amuse-bouche which has been different every time I come. I love that if it's someone's birthday or special occasion, they will custom print menus. I love that they make their own homemade lollipops and after dinner little cookies to nibble on when you're already stuffed. And that sticky bun sundae is DANGEROUS. People can call it pricey.. etc. But it's Vail. What the hell did you expect? Really.
(5)Marilyn T.
As always, a wonderful end to our annual Vail ski trip. Each year, we come on the final night of our week, and I've never been disappointed. Service is impeccable as always, from the complimentary valet to the professional way all the dishes are served at the same time from the right side, they pay attention to the little details. The traditional cocktail of choice for us is the pomegranate sparkler, which is much stronger than it appears. It's light and fruity. The grapefruit cocktail is also really subtle tasting, despite the liquor.. they mix their drinks well. The wine list is also extensive, and they're conscious to let you know how many bottles they have left if they're running low. Bread service includes the sourdough, perfect with butter, salt, and pepper, and there's also an olive bread. The amuse was the potato leak soup with truffle oil, which was light on the truffle taste. For those who ordered the soup as a part of their meal, they had the refreshing grapefruit granita to start. I started with the beet salad, which was a generous portion of roasted beets. The elk carpaccio is still my favorite - with a slight hint of 5 spice and a seared edge. It's so tender but not fatty at all. The warm mushroom salad with a poached egg was also amazing over frisee, with the yolk running through it. For entrees, the potato crusted trout is always a favorite, but the real highlight of the dish is the caramelized brussels sprouts leaves underneath, which will convert anyone who thinks he/she doesn't enjoy brussels sprouts. It's nutty, sweet, and slightly charred. The squash lasagna is also a nice vegetarian option, which is super sweet from the natural sugars of the squash puree. The pork duo is better if it's done medium, rather than anything more rare, and it's also seasoned well. The scallops appetizer also makes a nice lighter entree portion, and it's seared perfectly and super sweet inside. It's counter-intuitve to order scallops in the Mountains, but I've never been disappointed by this dish. Desserts are beautiful in presentation but aren't as strong as the rest of their menu. The banana tart was more unique - with a shortbread crust (a bit too hard for me), peanut butter, and thinly sliced roasted bananas. The chocolate ganache was also not as smooth as I'd hoped. in any case, they also send some petit fours, which satisfy the sweet tooth in case you don't want a full dessert. Like I said, it's our tradition to finish up our week long ski trip with a group dinner at Kelly Liken. It hasn't disappointed so far.
(4)S R.
Elk carpaccio - sliced thin with mustard aioli and a pepper crust, it's as awesome as it sounds Sweetbreads - no frame of reference as I've never had them before, but I really liked these Crab salad - too "salty", not on par with the other two starters Rack of lamb - very flavorful and good Wagyu NY strip steak - also good Trout - OK, but c'mon, you should be ordering red meat here Sticky-bun sundae - devoured it like a pack of wolves Ambience - I liked it, not too contemporary, not stuffy, but attractive Service - Kelly herself answered the phone and greeted us on the way out, very cool! It's pricey, and it's not perfect, but there was enough stuff that was memorable.
(5)theresa s.
We watched top chef, so I was happy that we could go to Kelly Liken's restaurant in Vail. Another surprise we could buy discounted gift certificates on Restaurant.com . We got ours at a Christmas discount, so we got a $100 certificate for $20! one of the terms of the $100 certificate was that the check had to be $200+. Since we saw the menu ahead of time, we had expected to spend that amount. We we arrived the valet took our car and announced our arrival. that was a nice touch. All were helpful when we were trying to decided on our wine, and our server even offered to pair wines with whatever we selected for dinner. The menu used local ingredients, which we appreciated. Someone arrived with a selection of breads-- rosemary or pumpernickel. We tried both, and although good, the rolls were ice cold and not even warmed in the oven. My BF ordered the steak, and I ordered three appetizers instead of an entree: the hamachi crudo-- which was surrounded by a delicious green chili lime oil, and topped with crunchy minty goodness. the chilled maine lobster- this was my favorite dish, basically a lobster salad with meyer lemon. Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops- this was a warm dish and not anything different or impressive. my least favorite dish. For dessert, we had the famous Sticky Bun Sundae and the vanilla orange cheesecake. both were good. We enjoyed all of this with a bottle of red wine, and a glass of champagne. When we left KL, our car was waiting outside. That was another nice touch. Overall it was a very good dining experience, but it was definitely an expensive meal, and for the value, I don't think we would return without another gift certificate.
(3)Lena A.
After dining at "Kelly Liken" I realized that Bravo had deceived me. Just because a chef is featured on their reality TV show does not make them an exciting or relevant chef. Food: 3 Decor: 3 Service: 5+ Free appetizers: Carrot soup w/olive oil...decent flavor profile. Nothing surprising. Ground/deep-fried fish...terrible texture and much too hot (temperature) from the kitchen. Dungeness crab cake...delicious (and I had just had crab cake in MD last week). Amuze: Beet/Fennel chilled soup. Decent, but no surprises. Entree: Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut (overly salted!!!!) with braised artichokes (delicious), chervil puree (flavorless), toasted macadamia nuts (still wondering why they were on the plate), artichoke vinaigrette, fresh mache salad (meh) Side: summer pea sauté, pea tendrils with lima beans. Absolutely delicious...the best part of the meal. But how can you mess up fresh veggies with butter and cracked black pepper? Dessert: House-made pastry (heavy and over-cooked), cherry compote (delicious), butterscotch ice cream (flavorless). Total (with tip, two drinks) $92. That's about as much as it costs to eat at Schwa in Chicago, and Chef Carlson kills it! I guess my expectations were too high. The food was decent, but over-priced. Vail with it's Disney-world vibe creeped me out. The hospitality of the staff made the whole night worth it, and that I am expensing the dinner.
(3)Kat C.
After a fun week skiing in Vail for the holidays, we thought we would give my mom a break from cooking yumminess and try the local fare. The restaurant itself is definitively modern with the lodgey touches and I thought the menu and ambiance did an excellent job of trying to be a new take on rustic. This is Vail after all. The service was impeccable from the valet, to the hostess, the maitre 'd who came to check on us, to our excellent waitress. Also of note is the amazing wine list where we found to our amusement (my horror being a grad student) an $10,000 bottle of wine. (Very clever Kelly Liken with that anchoring effect!) We ended up with the '04 Brion cab which was soooo velvety and good. Though we had wine, I also ordered some additional cocktails which were memorable and delicious. I began with the Elk carpaccio which was absolutely fabulous, followed by a surprising and excellent beet salad. Another starter was the ravioli which also was excellent. Our party ordered main courses of a duo of pork, bison tenderloin and the New York Strip all of which were cooked to perfection and balanced with flavorful sides. Desert was Chocolate Dolche, panna cotta and some amazingly deep flavored sorbets, all great. One caveat however is the music was borderline horrendous and had the meal not been excellent would have marred my dining experience. Please Kelly Liken, if you are reading this, choose something not the love child of Kenny G. and mortuary music.
(5)Wes P.
Went to Vail for my honeymoon and made reservations at Kelly Liken for our first night in town. From the moment we walked into the door the service was exceptional. While we waited for our table we had drinks at the bar. I had a cocktail made with beet puree and gin. It was earthy and delicious. When I made the reservations I told them it was for our honeymoon and they had a special menu printed just for us. We had the 5 course tasting menu and it was great. There were highs and lows, but overall it was delicious and a great way to begin our trip to Vail. The sticky bun sundae was worth the trip to Vail itself.
(5)Jeff C.
Was there for my birthday this week. I was really excited to go as I have always been interested in trying the restaurant, but the opportunity has never presented itself. I have heard good things, so I was excited to go for my BD! The staff was very gracious and accommodating. It was really cool because they had "Happy Birthday Jeff" printed on the menus for our table. +1 They brought us out an amuse of watermelon gazpacho which was really good (small, but good--wished I had more). Two of us got the beet salad which was very very good! I had the dungenesse crab which was pretty good (Expensive too--$18) -1 I ordered the lamb which was just slightly better than OK. It was a small serving especially because I had an end rib which was very small and dry. For $44 I think one should get more meat. -1 My sister had the best Risotto I have ever had. It was a Vail Mountain wild mushroom risotto--decadent. +1 The other entree was the potato crusted trout--looked good but I did not try it. The cinnamon bun, carmel, ice cream thing was really good and perfect to split 3 ways! +1 Lastly when the bill came, by sister ordered a scotch on the rocks. The menu had it posted at $11 (fine), but the bill said $19.00 (not fine). Our very good waitress had to go inquire and adjust the bill. Well they had the wrong price in the computer (by $5) but they have an "up charge" of $3 for on-the-rocks. I have never heard of this up charge before. They should put on the menu "All prices reflect a neat pour"--on the rocks is $3 more or something. That was ridiculous in my opinion. (they should have waived the $8 dollar difference because of their error and not just the $5. To still charge the $3 dollars when it is not expected and after they screwed up the bill is something I have a hard time with (The bill was over $250--what's $3 to them). -3 So, nice establishment/ambiance. Great staff and service and it was cool to meet Kelly especially with her new fame from Top Chef. However, my entree was subpar for $44. Not sure I will be rushing back, but glad I went.
(3)Allison J.
I can't believe I never wrote a review for this place. One of my favorite things to do in Vail is to sit at the bar of Kelly Liken's and order apps and wine. You'll meet all sorts of interesting people and tickle your tongue with lots of tasty delights. May 9, 2010. Be sure to watch Iron Chef America when Kelly battles it out! Woot!
(5)E C.
we sat at the bar after being unable to get reservations any where else in vail village. the adult food was not bad at all. however, what blew my mind was the $35 children's meal. it came with mac/cheese, soup, chicken fingers, and apple/ pear slices. not even a drink included. It was a complete joke. i wrote to the restaurant afterwards asking them to re-evaluate their kids' meal and consider making changes, but i never heard back from them.
(1)Mark L.
While the service was nice, the $74 pp price fix menu (the only one offered) was a great disappontment. The food was very good, but every serving, inlcuding the entree, was the size of a tasting. The wine by the glass was deceptively priced, with a "full glass" of 6 ounces being priced at the 1/2 bottle rate. (Favoirte part here was when the waitor asked me if I really envisioned receiving a full glass!) We did not like the pretentious atmosphere.
(1)Ben R.
We stopped in for an early dinner on Saturday, 8/29/10 and were impressed from start to finish. Despite the fact that they were still in the process of opening they invited us in with open arms. We were greeted in the most friendly fashion and sat at the bar for a cocktail while they started up their evening. My friend had their lime/ginger infused cocktail while I tried their tomato martin. Her drink was really refreshing, albeit a little sweet. Mine carried some intense flavors but was somewhat salty. We agreed that her's was something we would order again, mine was a one-off for its uniqueness. We were soon seated and the most wonderful dining experience began. Our server Lisa was incredibly accomodating and knowledgable. The entire staff was spot on with service in every way. The room had an incredible ambiance and was well-decorated. We started off with two wines by the glass intended to pair with our salad course. We weren't dissappointed. The meal started with a lovely little amuse bouche of smoky tomato bisque - it was so light, yet so delicious. Next up was a surreal elk carpaccio that literally knocked our socks off - it was so well done it melted in your mouth. The flavor combinations were intense yet velvety at the same time. We went on to our salads. My friend had the most amazing beet salad that might have been the hit of the evening if we had stopped there. The beet foam combined with the other ingredients made for the perfect bite. I had a 'green vegetable salad' that was also wonderful, but honestly didn't hold a candle to the beet salad. Our entrees were outstanding. I had the halibut which was perfectly cooked with the most amazing crust. I literally had to slow myself down or I would have eaten it in five enormous bites. Perfection! My friend had the most delicious trout we had ever eaten. Boned and skinned, they layered the thinnest slices of fingerling potatoes on one side of the fish and pan seared it to a lovely brown crisp. Each bite was heaven. I was stabbed with a fork twice trying to sneak extra bites. The accompanying lemon burre blanc really set the dish off. We had to decline dessert - there was just too much to choose from but we were nearly catatonic at this point. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. The food was amazing, the service impeccable. The wine list was varied and interesting, although somewhat inflated even for Vail standards (I had to find something to kvetch about!) If you are in Vail - run, don't walk, to this gem in the mountainside. You will remember the meal and the experience forever.
(5)Mags M.
We went for dinner and they seem to only offer the 3-course (3 savory courses) prix fix for $74. The service was FLAWLESS. From the hostesses to the waiters, everyone was amazing and attentive (and warm!). I would even go as far as saying the service here was the best I experienced anywhere, even comparing the best NY restaurants. They offer half glasses of wine which is cool if you don't want to drink that much or if you want to try a bunch of different wines. The three stars is for the food. It was good but it didn't blow me away. I had the fluke - my favorite dish of the night. Very tasty, especially with the sorbet it comes with. The Elk Carpaccio was just OK for me. The Mushroom and Cauliflower Agnolotti was also just OK - it was missing something in my opinion. The base was watery (like a soup) but it didn't have much flavor. The Striped Bass was my main course and I didn't enjoy it, unfortunately It was cooked perfectly but I thought it was lacking flavor and it comes with little torn toasted pieces of bread which I didn't understand. Overall, good dinner.
(3)Yin L.
really great food. the food seems to be fancier and more composed than what you'd expect from the seating arrangements - no tablecloths, and some of the tables are quite close together (you can hear what the people seating next to you are saying and see what they are eating). however, the food has been really great on each of the past 3 times I've been here (over 3 years). this past visit, i had the lobster salad, pork belly and scallop, new york steak (yum! - they knew how to do a salty, fatty crust), and the quince and apple turnovers. my boyfriend had a carrot appetizer that was really creative and had a delicious carrot mouse. someone always gets the sticky bun sundae, which is good but not my type of thing. they have been really consistent on each of the past 3 visits, and also across the courses. kudos.
(4)Joshua S.
We visited during the slow season. Very inviting and stylish environment. Our server Andy was excellent, both in recommending course selection and wine pairing. She had the 3 course (2+dessert), and I the 5 course (4+dessert) and they timed it by pairing a set of appetizers and then I had my second appetizer following. All of the food was sublime and plating flawless. As the menu changes often, instead of detail food review, I'll highlight the atmosphere as wonderful, service very attentive yet invisible, and prices Vail 5star style. The after dinner drink prices are quite high, but given that you'll likely be tipsy by then, I see the strategy. The wine list has the usual high end suspects, with a handful of good below $100 wines.
(5)Scott S.
We were so excited to try this place. What a nightmare. Service was poor. Food took forever and came out sporadically. Portions so small and taste was unremarkable. Pasta and meatballs came cold. Calimari was microscopic. $19 for kids pasta which was a bowl of spaghetti. Everything was incredibly overpriced. When we brought issues to manager/owner he didn't care and told us not to come back! Never been treated so poorly in a restaurant in my life. The owner was rude and nasty in front of our kids, which upset them. He claimed we were trying to get a free meal! The bill was over $600. Was told later at our hotel that is the manager's reputation around town. I guess there's a reason the place was empty during vacation week. Vail has many great restaurants, avoid this one and its angry owner.
(1)rickilane b.
My first and last stop whenever I am lucky enough to make it to Vail. Yes the elk carpaccio is ROCKIN but there is so much more fun on the menu. We always try and piece mail together entrees and apps(sorry Kelly) great fun. Start with Bubbles and let Rick or whomever is behind the bar lead the way. Funny we have never sat at a table always at the bar. Handles on the backs of the dining room chairs beautiful hand blown glass and the whole wine ring concept for the fabric. It is little things like this that seperate Kelly Liken from the everyday. Can't wait to visit again and try the new Bistro I think it's in Avon? Damn now I'm hungry!
(5)Jess M.
Food and service was excellent and a good wine menu...overall a good experience. The one big compliant is the price... we booked this place due to the menu that was posted online and the advertised price of $45 for 3 course meal. When we got in there the price was $74 and there were a few changes to the menu. When we asked the waiter about this he said that the menu had just changed that day and their web designer had not changed the site yet... a classic bait and switch. The food was excellent, but a little light on the serving size (from my husband's perspective, I was perfectly full). Although the food was great (and some would argue the higher price is completely appropriate for the quality), in the future we will pick a different place in Vail during the summer with a less price tag - and there are so many to choose from.
(3)Jessie H.
If you come here, there is one thing you have to order: the elk carpaccio. that's it. just order plates and plates of that. no, just kidding. at least order one though. it is divine. although the chef can lighten up on the amount of pepper the dish gets. The cocktails here are also pretty good - if not interesting. There are several choices featuring Stranahan's Colorado whiskey, which straight up is pretty sweet and smooth. There is an antipasti cocktail, featuring vodka, salt, pepper, proscuitto and cheese. I really have no idea how you're supposed to drink that... or eat it? Other than that, I thought the food was just ok. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've ever had either. So I guess my suggestion is just to come here for drinks and appetizers.
(4)Jan K.
The room and decor was beautiful, the waitstaff a pleasure, the choices on the menu of both food and drink were lovely, but the price was too high. When we ski, we don't like to eat so much that we need to sleep late. This restaurant delivered, in serving the classic fine, tiny portions. If you have a hearty appetite, be sure to order a side dish along with your entree. I thought that it was kind of cute and funny that they gave us two tiny muffins on the way out. Did they think that we wouldn't be able to afford breakfast after eating there? At some high end restaurants I feel so impressed with the food that the price seems justified. I liked Kelly Lichen's very much, but just wasn't sure the cost was fair.
(3)Rob K.
When do you officially recognize that your ego has officially outgrown the walls of your restaurant? I guess that point hasn't been reached yet at Kelly Liken as they continue their annual trend of offering "less for more". Sure, you never expect value in fine dining in Vail, but Kelly Liken insults you with their pricing. In addition to sky-high menu prices, I recall being charged $7 (maybe more?) for a double espresso. People complain about Starbucks pricing, and I can hand them $2 and get change with my double espresso.....even in Vail. The wine list is full of trophies all over it, but please don't insult my intelligence by charging me over the wholesale cost of a bottle for a glass or marking up wines by the bottle 300%+ The Vail Valley offers a lot of fine dining choices, and while the kitchen can turn out tasty food, the proprietors should work on counting repeat customers rather than counting the money from all their "one and done" customers.
(1)Barry R.
We are avid followers of all the Top Chef series and were looking forward to eating at Chef Liken's restaurant. Before departing on our last day, we were able to walk in and grab a table to enjoy some fine dining. Although we were lucky you may want to reserve a table in advance. After skiing/snowboarding all day, we were famished and opted for the 5-course meal as opposed to the 3-course. Ordering the 5-course meal is very filling so consider yourself warned. There are mixed reviews which may depend on the servers, but our experience was different. The wait staff accommodated all of our food requests and the food we ordered was prepared to perfection. Our group even received extra orders of desserts which put us all in food comas.
(4)Prince H.
An amazing experience. Specializing in seasonal and locally produced meals, this is a must try place. There are enough quality wines by the glass to pair a different pour with each course, and the staff is eager and able to help you get it right. The food is amazing and you may well be served by Kelly herself, who is bright and pleasant. She suggested the braised short rib appetizer, and it was delicious, as was the entire meal. By far the best place I have eaten in the area. Not cheap, but great.
(5)Danielle F.
Compared to restaurants like Larkspur and Sweet Basil, this place was sub par. The poor service was unexpected: my reservation was for 7:30 but my party was seated at 8:05 and told to stand in the already overcrowded bar. The table which I reserved was occupied until 8:30, so we were seated at another table (not the one I had specifically asked for months in advance). I think this place was completely overbooked and poorly managed. The food was okay although some things were overly salted and my root vegetable salad was undercooked (not tender like the description). The waitstaff was also not trained properly: I asked for a second dish of butter because we were a group of 6 and the waiter had only brought one dish for our long table and upon asking, the waiter asked me if i was sure that i wanted more butter: Yes I'm sure, otherwise I wouldn't have asked!! Grrr! There was only one waitress for our entire section and although she was pretty attentive, she definitely could've used help.
(2)JJ Scholl s.
pics of Kelly Liken: jjscholl.wordpress.com/2… Kelly Liken is a polished, chef-owned restaurant offering seasonal cuisine...though it is rather $$$. I had Kelly's signature trout dish crusted with razor thin potato slices resembling fish scales in a lemon buerre blanc. Divine! We were even treated to one of my favs, a butternut squash soup amuse bouche.
(4)G S.
OH. MY. GOD. Flavor explosion, and in that really good kind of way! Here's what I devoured during this dinner (we did the 5 course tasting menu...so you'll see two separate desserts at the end): 1) Elk Carpaccio--ordered this bc of what the other Yelpers have said. You guys did not let me down! it was FANTASTIC. Delicious flavors, wonderfully presented, absolutely one of the best carpaccios I have ever eaten. Server said it's a signature dish of their that will never be taken off the menu. I'll drink to that! 2) Veal sweetbreads--DELICIOUS!!! Some folks may shy away from sweetbreads. Not this guy! So delicious, devoured every bite, and the marrow in the veal bone was so deliciously lightly crisped and warmed...perfect to devour every single bite. 3) Wild striped bass--a lovely lighter entree that is packed full of flavor. You wouldn't think it by looking at it, but it's so well done, fish is not overcooked, skin is lightly crisped, the sauces and spices don't overpower it....highly recommended for a warm summer's night! 4) Roasted leg of lamb--a little too medium for my taste. They slow roast it, so the leg of lamb ends up being more medium than medium rare. Still very delicious, and the potato ganache that comes with it is amazing! The arugula pesto on top of the ganache is a bit overpowering...but wipe it off and have a little bit and it's just fine. 5) Chocolate Rosemary Creme Brulee--sounds like it would be fantastic, but was only just OK. Leaves a strange aftertaste in your mouth. I kept wanting to love it, but just didn't. 6) Sticky bun pudding--very sweet, probably too sweet for my liking, but I only had a little taste. It was delicious, though, and definitely better than the creme brulee. If you're not a sweets person, have your dining partner order this and just have a few bites off of them...it will wet the palate and satisfy the little sweet craving. Oh! And the cold asparagus soup they bring you before your meal begins...TWO THUMBS WAYYYYY UP!!!! I could have used a bowl of that in exchange for my creme brulee. LOL. It's delicious...dances on your tongue if you will! Service was great, everyone is very attentive and seems happy to be there. At times it can feel a little stuffy, but for the most part the staff tries to make you feel at home. Even their sourdough bread is delicious! And they keep bringing you more and asking if you want more, versus you having to feel like a pig for asking for more. :-) Do yourself a favor and check this place out! It's one of the better meals that I've eaten in a long time, and I'm already dreaming of the next time I'll get to go back! CHEERS!
(4)amy H.
The food is FIVE stars all the way. The Waygu steak blew my mind! But the wait staff was terrible. Very pushy and over the top happy and enthusastic
(4)Karen G.
Great dinner. One person had the halibut, the other had veal cheeks, and I had the steak. Everything was great including our fried green tomato appetizer and of course the sticky buns.
(4)John K.
Great place. Really enjoyed every aspect of the experience. The food was spectacular and the wine list impressive. It is pricey though. Our meal was $ 500 for 3 people and we only had $50 of wine. It was worth the money though for sure. Each course was better than the last. Presentation and depth of flavors was excellent. The best trout I ever ate
(5)Rick E.
So I lived in Vail for 5 years, and never stopped in til this past winter, when i decided to take an extended vacation (6 months) and head up to Vail for another season. Being a "local", I don't necessarily have millions in the bank, but i will say, sometimes you have to treat yourself. I've been to all the other places, Sweet Basil, la tour, Campo Di Fiure, Mezzaluna, Juniper, Sapphire, etc... And I would have to say that Kelly Liken is my favorite spot in town for this style of food. Contemporary American. Now I say treat yourself, because you are unlikely to leave this spot for under $120 a head. I was recommended to this place by one of their bartenders when we were shooting some pool at The George (locals bar). He said we should stop by some time and he'd buy us a drink. I took him up on his offer. After enjoying their drinks, I decided I'd have to come back for the food. I've eaten 5 times at this place. Every time, I've been treated like a king by their wait staff, which is remarkable in a place like Vail where customer service is practically a miracle to come by. Anyway, the staff is very prepared for any question you might have about the menu. Everything, no, EVERYTHING is delicious here. I can't single anything out. Their deserts are delicious and the little take home gift bags at the end of dinner give you that little extra surprise. Now by no means am I saying this place is a "Value". it isn't. it's expensive. But if you know what you're getting into, hey, pay up. The last meal i had there was the Chefs tasting menu. 6 courses including Salad, appetizer, soup, entry, cheese, desert, for the "bargain" price of $300 - Before drinks!!! Ridiculous expensive, but the most memorable meal I've ever had. And I'm from L.A.! Recap, Awesome food hands down. not cheap - don't act surprised when the check comes. My second fave, La Tour. For Steak, you can't beat Russells!
(5)Wendee M.
The Service is awesome!!! The whole crew seems to work together to take good care of you from start to finish. I really appreciated my waiter getting me a potato pancake substitution for my short ribs! The sommelier was impeccable and helped us choose a wine in our price range that went wonderfully with all of our meals! The complimentary starter pear and squash soup was perfect fall food. All three of our entrees were just OK. the Short ribs, seafood cioppino and the potato crusted trout. Our Dessert was a experience of it's own. My dessert was the Sticky Bun Sundae that was the 3rd best dessert I have had in my life! ( the first two were at Thomas Keller establishments). The Sundae had a spun sugar web that was so beautiful I had to take a picture of it, and the whole thing tasted amazing. My friends got the fresh fruit tart, and the dueling pumpkin which were a joy to the taste buds. Go here for apps and dessert...skip the main course and you won't be disappointed!
(3)David J.
I've been here a few times now always during our annual Vail ski trip and I must say despite all the restruants we visit during our trip I always enjoy capping the trip off at Kelly Liken. The ambiance and the attention from the staff is always superb and they do take that extra step to make sure that your meal is enjoyable. Dishs are brought out and served and taken away in the proper manner which most other resturant fail to even try. I started with a confit that was cooked to perfection and seasoned nicely to accent the meat. For my main course I had the pork duo which I had medium rare. This dish was by far one of the best pork dishes I have had in a long time. The medium rare pork was cooked perfectly and crisped pork belly was a perfect contrasting texture to the soft tender pork loin. This dish really brought out the chef's creativity and showed how they were able to meld different cuts of meats and sides into one cohesive dish . Plating was a little messy from the sauce that wasn't at the point of being nappe yet. As a side I had the rutabaga-potato roesti (essentially high-end hashbrowns) which was cooked well, but I felt they could have been much more generous with the portion for what they charged me. I had the chocolate mouse for dessert which ended up being very "meh"; for some reason it seemed as if they didn't try as hard on the desserts as a whole and it was a mere afterthought. I would have prefered and excalmation for the last dish in my meal instead of a trailing elipse. It's much easier to critique than to be critique and I understand that the resturant puts a lot of effort into what they do, but for the price point that they are charge and the ambiance that they are creating there should be no excuses. Overall I would still recommend this resturant and I will still return to this restrant again next year, perhaps I'll avoid the dessert here and get one elsewhere instead or maybe splurge for the tasting menu.
(4)Carlynne M.
How can i describe the food??? Unbelievable. Delicious! Everything about this restaurant was excellent. From the greeting at the door to the goodbye. Yummy cocktails, excellent service, harvest meal was slamming. Kelly brought our dessert she is cute! Love it. Eat here or be stupid. This was the only reason we would return to Vail.
(5)Angelica R.
Food was good. I appreciate the work that went into it, but not worth the money. Server was annoying with her up-selling. $160 for two with no drinks or dessert. The valet was great, though. A bit too pretentious for the mountain casual style of Vail.
(3)Tradd N.
Just moved to town and went here with friends that were visiting and we were blown away. The staff is great. The food is wonderful, fresh and seasonal. The restaurant is contemporary and warm. Don't go because Kelly Liken is on Top Chef, go because it's good!
(5)Kirsten F.
sweetbreads and shortribs and pork belly, oh my! like meat? if so, this is probably one of the best restaurants in vail. looking for something on the lighter side, or something from the sea? not so much at kelly liken. i had been hearing my family's rave reviews of kelly liken for two years now and had been really looking forward to my first visit. this place, on the surface, does everything right. great service, great atmosphere, interesting sounding menu. interesting "sounding" is the key. i didn't want to eat my body weight in various elements from another animal's body. i'm not a vegetarian, but i was hoping to be able to hoist myself up the hill to the house at the end of the dinner, and not tumble headlong into a food coma on my first night in the mountains. i ordered the fish. it was just sort of weird. interesting idea, with chestnuts, squash and sweet potato latkes, and a roasty-toasty pumpkin-y oil sauce... but those flavors to not go with fish. i was also extremely disappointed with the oysters as my started. this place is not cheap. if you're going for top restaurant in a foody touristy region, you better deliver. unfortunately, kelly liken let me down. my family was happy with their carnivorous choices, so go forth to kelly liken with abandon if that's what you're looking for. otherwise, hit sweet basil or sapphire or larkspur for some more variety of choices.
(3)Alex D.
Incredible dinner. Great service and food. Gnudi appetizer and NY Strip were delicious. Ceviche middle course and sticky bun sundae dessert were wonderful. Best meal we had while visiting from Dallas. We also loved Sweet Basil but Kelly Liken is better.
(5)amy m.
I have only been to Kelly Liken once, but I am hesitant to go back. The wait staff is EXTREMELY pushy. If you want a glass of wine, they push you to get a bottle, if you want to order one appetizer for the table, they push everyone at the table to order one individually. Salads, entrees, dessert... after they push everyone to get their own dessert, they also push some sort of after dinner scotch or a port. It's insane, and after a while you just start ordering extra things becase you feel like a cheapskate if you don't order an appetizer, salad, entree, dessert, and a couple bottles of wine. Honestly, the entree food isn't worth the price tag, mainly due to the fact that there's about 3 bites on each plate. I do give a nod to the pastry chef because the desserts are fantstic.
(3)Chrissy C.
Kelly Liken Restaurant serves the most creative food in Vail. Rather than typical antler/ mountain decor and 'mountain' comfort food, the chef, Kelly Liken, uses local ingredients when available (I've seen her at Farmers' Markets) to create unique tastes. Steak Tartare was melt in your mouth delicious, and there was a radish sorbet wrapped in a caraway seed savory 'cone'. BBQ short ribs and halibut were perfectly cooked. Non alcoholic drinks were creatively prepared and delicious, and there was an outstanding wine selection. This is expensive, but if you are looking for a special meal, I think this is IT!
(5)