Matsuhisa Aspen

Matsuhisa Aspen opened in 1998 as Nobu Matsuhisa's first outpost outside Beverly Hills and has been the festive Japanese dinner of every Aspen ski week since. The downstairs dining room is the louder, more social room — yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, the black cod miso, the room at full volume by nine. The upstairs sushi bar is the quieter eight-seat omakase experience for clients who want eight courses of Chef Nobu's signature flavours.

For EVJF and EVG weekends in Aspen this is the right Saturday-night dinner before the late drinks at the Caribou Club. Reservations open thirty days in advance and the prime seatings (7:30, 8:30) book within hours.

The Aspen Nobu, still the festive table.