Aspen

11/28/09

unique atmosphere

by jonhackett at Citysearch

Definitely a unique place, it looks like a ski lodge indie. The crowd can be a mixed bad, but if you go with about 5 people it's a fun time (although that's true for any bar). The bar tender I had wasn't exactly anything to write home about as he managed to spill whiskey all over me, he did apologize though. So if you want something a little different I highly recommend it.

• Pros: cool decor
• Cons: bathroom is hard to get to

09/01/09

FUN-TA-BULOUS TIME!

by AmyTikiCohen at Citysearch

I was in New York City visiting my girls and one of them is real cool with Kong from theKONGLIST- NYC promoter and did he show us to a good time or what? He escorted me & 3 girls inside, gave us a grand tour of the venue...wooden furnitures & fixtures, ice-sculpted deer heads on the wall against the bar and the back opens up to remind me of a snowy-night up in the Aspen mountains! Drinks were average (around $10)...the music was INCREDIBLE (dj's spinning the hottest & latest new hits from the East Coast)...but above all, Kong was like the greatest host I've ever met! He was an absolute gentlemen and took care of us like we were life long friends! I'm sure he's been doing this for years and I would always support his parties and choice of venues...Aspen is a FUN-TA-BULOUS spot...I'm sure that's why he's there! lol

• Pros: Classy, upscale crowd w/ awesome music!
• Cons: Wish ASPEN was in L.A.

06/17/09

Best Birthday Ever!! :)

by supafly1985 at Citysearch

this is the first review i've ever written in my life. normally i'm on here to find out what everyone else is thinkin' about somewhere.. but my experience last saturday night for my birthday party was great. i know alot of people always say things never go right when you book a clubspot with a promoter but that wasnt the case for my party. The music was awesome and really mixed.. and the crowd was hot!! I did the whole vip thing which actually went well!!!

I booked everything with a promoter named Steph and she told me to speak to the doorman named Dave who does the door. When i got there that night - No one tried to make me buy more bottles, nor demanded that my guests do either! When i got there, i asked for Dave and since it was my birthday he let myself and 2 of my girlfriends right in!!! (How awesome!!!) He got the bottle hostes for us and this was the First Time that i wasnt demanded to do more bottles then I wanted to do!!!

As long as your friends dress good and have i.ds none of your friends will have a hard time and that was one of the best parts about comin' here! Granted i would of wished the spot was larger then it is, but it was definietly a great time. The whole staff was really customer friendly. i definietly recommend if your looking for somethin' different and celebrating a party!

• Pros: Vibe.. Crowd.. music!!
• Cons: wish it was larger.. but who cares!!

03/05/09

ALWAYS GOOD FOOD, GREAT STAFF

by dbandis at Citysearch

I am not one to write a review but had some friends in town and we were looking for another place to eat and i went to check on one of my favorite spots, Aspen to see their reviews - just for fun and I must disagree 110% with the previous review. Aspen has been around going on 2 or 3 years I think and it has had it's ups and downs but nothing that would prevent me from coming back. This previous year, they added a new GM, Lenny who upon my arrival a few months ago, i had the pleasure of meeting. He was the most gracious manger I have ever met and you can see he truly cares about the restaurant. The food, I must say is always always good. The Seared Tuna is fantastic - as are the sliders which are prepared pretty rare so know that going in and I'm sure they can cook them to you liking. The steak is a great piece of meat, the mac and cheese is 100% one of the best in the city and i really always feel great when I'm there and feel taken care of. Sometimes it's too loud but if you ask, they will lower the music and I honestly regard this as one of my places i take friends from out of town and know - they will love the food and have a good NY experience. I think, with anything, you should ask questions and from my experience, they were more than happy to help me with any request so I must say YES YES YES to aspen and I look forward to many more dinner there.

• Pros: Great food, great on a date, great for out of town guests
• Cons: sometimes too loud or too hot from the fireplace

02/07/09

We were a casualty of Restaurant Week at Aspen

by hubriis at Citysearch

Having lived in Aspen in the past, I figured it would be interesting to see the New York City take on my little mountain town. When we arrived, the place was almost empty, nobody sitting at the tables and five people total clustered around the fire. Our reservation was for 7PM, so perhaps it was simply too early.

We took a gander at the RW menu but nothing looked even remotely interesting so we went ahead and ordered off the regular menu instead. We started with the soup of the day (carrot ginger) and the warm goat cheese and arugula salad. I am not sure which cook missed tasting the soup, but the top notes were salt and cream. The carrot never came through and the ginger was a disappointing third on the palate, barely discernible. After the third bite, I felt as though I were eating pure salt and gave up. The salad was good, a basic green salad with a breaded goat cheese puck about the size of a silver dollar. It was fine, but the goat cheese honestly tasted like something that arrived to the kitchen frozen and was reheated from there.

After our disappointing starters, I was really hoping for a turnaround with our main courses. Sadly, it was not to be. My beau had the Pan Roasted Mahi Mahi with green papaya, ginger and citrus sauce. The Mahi Mahi was good, but nothing really stood out about the dish or the flavors. I ordered the Seared Yellowfin Tuna with fresh tomatoes, holly basil and kalamata olives. Interesting presentation on the tuna: it arrived in all its glory with no real accompaniments. Essentially, a slab of fish on a plate with a couple of tomatoes and olives. The fish had a ghost of tuna flavor but none of the heartiness I generally expect to find with tuna.

A largely forgettable meal overall, and we will not be back to Aspen in the future. After all, it's New York City and the gastronomical possibilities are endless!

02/04/09

Mediocre food, with rude waitress!

by honee0812 at Citysearch

We went for Restaurant week, we made our reservation for 8 people at 6pm, a day before we knew everyone couldnt make it by 6 so we tried to change our reservation to later. However, they insisted that they were booked and could not accomodate us any later. When we arrived we had a drink at the bar, bartender was nice, good happy hour special. The back dining room area was pretty much empty, we sat the part of our party that was there, when we went to order drinks we realized drinks were terribly overpriced meanwhile we were just paying like 5 dollars at the bar, the happy hour special did not apply to the table, so we got our drinks from the bar which was like (3 steps away) of course this annoyed our waitress. We then informed her that we wanted to order before the rest of our party arrived because they were delayed she made a face like that seemed to say that wasnt possible and said she had to talk to the hostess, after she took her sweet time speaking to the hostess she came back and had them clear the other side of our table. As if they really needed the extra table, the place was empty! There were like 4-6 tables being occupied. You would think they would at least want to satisfy the small number of customers they actually had there! When the food arrived it was just so so, nothing special at all. Lobster Bisque was salty, i couldve gotten my chicken and mashed potatoes at boston market, and the desert was just blah. When the rest of our party arrived we were already eating so we asked for seperate checks as we were done about an hour before them and wanted to head out, the waitress insisted that no it could not be split up. Could it be because she wanted to ensure that she got her automatic 20% gratuity for a party of more than 6??? She mustve of known that she was far from friendly from the beginning. There are so many better places in the city for cheaper or at least worth your money! So to sum it up, hang out at the bar but steer clear of dinner here!!!

• Pros: The bar and the one pretty fireplace
• Cons: Service and food

01/31/09

Not bad!!

by prncesst at Citysearch

A friend of mine booked the Gonzo room for her 25th birthday party, which had its own private bar, and bathroom.....great place for a private party/dinner. Clint, our host/waiter was very friendly and helpful. We also received complimentary champagne for drinking and toasting and we were even allowed to bring our own bday cake. On the dowside, the food was pricey and the portions were small. I ordered two appetizers as my meal (crab cakes and shrimp quesadillas), the plate was well decorated, but the actual food was just OK; however, I will say that they have the best calamari that i have ever tasted. We couldn't stop talking about about how great the calamari tasted. Overall, we had a great time in the Gonzo room; the service was excellent and the staff is very accommodating; however, I do wish that the food was little tastier and the portions, larger. The total bill for 11 people came up to approximately $590.

• Pros: Gonzo Room, service
• Cons: Small portions

12/01/08

fine dining

by lfelixx at Citysearch

I was looking for a new quality restaurant to celebrate my dad's new job offer. I decided to go . It was an excellent experience. The service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. The portions were perfect, and we all felt great after the meal without feeling too full.

It is an expensive meal, but that's what I expect with fine dining.

10/26/08

Horrible! Stay Away!

by nycmusakman1114 at Citysearch

The drinks were ridiculously overpriced. I payed $16 for vodka and soda that had no vodka in it. Others in my party had same experience. If you are going to charge that much for a drink it may be a good idea to actually put the liquor in it. Way too crowded and way overpriced. They actually 'ran out' of Pinot Grigio in the beginning of the night.

Much better places to go to than this. It is impossible to even get a drink.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Everything.

09/20/08

Tight

by NYCplaya11 at Citysearch

This place has certain potential, but does not live up to it. There is a nice room in the back that no one uses, everyone just packs into the narrow entrance because thats where the bar is located and the bartenders are slow. I have a suggestion...Put a bar in that back room, it will spread the crowd out and make it easier to get a drink as well. If more people hung out in the back room, i think it would be more enjoyable for all. Also...it doesn't have to be pitch black, a little light never hurt anyone....

• Pros: Good Looking Crowd, Bouncers are mad chill
• Cons: Bartenders are awful, entrance gets too crowded and you can't move or get a drink