Address: 12 Vail Rd., Suite 100
Phone: 970 479 0175

http://www.kellyliken.com/

Traveler Reviews

No other restaurant in Central CO comes close...
Reviewed by Benzaiohio on Aug 30, 2010


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. Although they did provide a small bit of tasty, tiny cookies with our check portfolio... 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.

Kelly Liken--YUM
Reviewed by milehigheater on Aug 5, 2010


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 and wine 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 at www.milehigheater.com

The Best I've Ever Had!
Reviewed by hilarotes on Jul 16, 2010


My sisters and I were on vacation in Vail and decided to eat at Kelly's restaurant. We chose Sunday evening because we had heard of the special menu provided. The portions were not huge, but were very filling and satisfying! I've never tasted anything so flavorful. We visited Sweet Basil the night before which was hugely DISAPPOINTING! The service at Kelly Liken was the best I've ever had. The jazz band that performed was the icing on the cake! I will go again and recommend it to anyone. The set cost was $45 per person for a 3 course meal (with little surprises from Kelly in between), but we chose to also go with the wine flights which were paired with the meal for an additional $15. So glad we did! Oh . . . the $45 for a 3-course meal is a Sunday evening offering only.

Absolutely the best meal experience I've ever had...hands down
Reviewed by emilyb425 on Jun 22, 2010


My husband and I were on a trip to Vail, CO. We went to the Farmers Market and that's where we met some of the staff of Kelly Liken, who go to the Farmer's Market on Sundays to pick out fresh *organic* vegetables and fruits and create a special menu on Sunday nights. We both had an asparagus salad which was to die for...the presentation alone is enough to rave about. I am a very picky eater (vegetarian, health nut, etc) and so I worked with the waitress and the chef to create a special dinner meal....In the end, I got sauteed vegetables and quinoa...by far, the most delicious, fresh tasting meal I have ever had in my entire life. My husband had the scallops and said they were mouth watering - and this is coming from a sincere critic! Nothing holds him back! After dessert, we were treated with special homemade cookies and a peach sugar lollipop hand crafted in the kitchen by the Pastry Chef. But, the best treat of all was when the waitress presented us with a small container of their homemade babaganous and black bean dip, both of which we had been raving about with the waitress when we tried them at the Farmer's Market. This was the restaurant's treat to us! From the hostess, to the waitress to the Manager, we felt like royalty. We even got walked out to our hotel van! Amazing...absolutely one of my most spectacular restaurant experiences! I wish they had one closer!!!

Exquisite and wonderful food in an inviting atmosphere
Reviewed by Christopher0914 on Jun 15, 2010


Absolutely, hands down, the best meal I have ever had. And I've dined on multiple continents. Kelly Liken is to be commended. We are on our honeymoon, and Kelly not only answered the phone herself when we called for a reservation, she asked our names and created a surprise personalized menu when we arrived. We had the trout and halibut, both of which were excellent. The potato encrusted trout is amazing. We also enjoyed the cucumber shooter and blueberry sorbet and our starters were the elk and beet appetizers. Really, everything was beyond compare. The staff was knowledgeable and super-competent and friendly to a fault. We only skipped dessert out of sheer inability to eat any more. My advice: listen to the staff when it comes to wine selection. The staff recommended a rose that was not on the wine list and it was phenomenal. We drove up from Aspen to see Vail and this alone was worth the drive. If you are in the vicinity of Aspen, Vail, or Breck and want to have a dinner to remember, go here. Complimentary valet parking too.