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Most people go to Beaver Creek Colorado to ski, snowboard, snowshoe
or do something that takes advantage of the spectacular setting and
great outdoors.
 Me, I'd rather sit by a fire sipping hot
chocolate, get a massage in my room, shop in the upscale stores
around the central ice-skating rink, or sample chocolate desserts in
the wonderful restaurants.
As an indoor writer, I feel highly qualified to
tell you about the best of Beaver Creek. Because I am not blinded by
the snow.
 Best Bar
Rocks Modern Grill on the second floor of the
Beaver Creek Lodge is really rocking. Perfect place to drink a
chocolate martini. Great drinks, cozy setting and waiters who seem
to be UN representatives. Even if they greet you with, "Hi, my name
is Alex," they do it with a sophisticated accent.
Best Chocolate Dessert
The chocolate lava cake at Rocks. The chocolate
melts in your mouth after gushing out of the molten center. The
creamy vanilla ice-cream has a snow-like effect—and it also melts
quickly.
Best Hot Chocolate
The rich hot chocolate at Rimini tastes like
Mexican chocolate melted right into the cup.
 Best Place to Drink Hot Chocolate
Half-way up the mountain at SaddleRidge
Restaurant.
Best Freebie
At 3:30 each day, visitors to the area are
offered free chocolate chip cookies made from the recipe is that
wins the chocolate chip cookie contest held each March.
Best Freebie in a Hotel
Beaver Creek Lodge offers its guests free
cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal and peanut butter are the usual
flavors) at 3pm. Beaver Creek Lodge is close enough to the lifts
that you can enjoy both.
Best Chocolate Store
Rimini has incredible chocolates that you can
"choose-it-yourself" by picking a dark, milk or white chocolate
shell. Then add on a ganache plus your favorite flavorings and
toppings. Sort of like Stone Creek Ice Cream..only in chocolate.
Best Gelato Store
I spent a lot of time in this place. Chocolates
and gelato, each made fresh every morning by pastry chef Heather.
They generously offer free tastes. I still could not make up my
mind. The fruit gelatos are made with an amazing amount of fresh
fruit and are lactose free.
Best Dessert That Looks Like A Snow Covered
Mountain
The Brownie-based hot fudge sundae at Rocks
combines the best of both worlds—chocolate and snow. Actually, they
use a rich vanilla ice-cream and drown it with hot fudge until it
looks like melted snow.
Best Hotel for Tasting Chocolate
Location is everything, and Beaver Creek Lodge
is right in the center of it all. Even if you aren't into skiing,
they have an indoor/outdoor pool, a great bar and restaurant, Rocks,
and you can get to several shops without even leaving the building.
Visit
www.beavercreeklodge.net
Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who generally
prefers the indoors. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
wwwcocktailatlas.com,
www.coffeeAtlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com. |
