Chef Mawa McQueen splashed onto Aspen’s culinary scene in 2022 when she was nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef West. Yet, as with any seemingly overnight sensation, the Ivory Coast born, Paris-raised, McQueen had put in years of grit before this recognition.
McQueen spent the first five years of her stateside culinary career between Kennebunkport Maine at the White Barn Inn for summer and The Little Nell come winter. Her titled foray into sharing Afro-Mediterranean cuisine with Aspen came in 2006 when she launched her catering company, which she ran for six years before debuting Mawa’s Kitchen, her flagship brick-and-mortar in 2012. After a decade of grinding in the kitchen, the James Beard nomination arrived at a kismet time; on the precipice of quitting, McQueen was now assured of her place in Aspen.
So, in 2022, she doubled down with her presence in the mountain town and opened Mawita. Her second restaurant is an homage to her African roots — yuca, jerk chicken, and goat carnitas play with flavors and ingredients of her upbringing while also infusing some Latin flair.
Now that she’s more at home than ever, we wanted to know where we could find her when she’s not in the kitchen. Below, Chef Mawa McQueen shares some of her favorite spots around town.
What is your favorite coffee shop?
I love to go to The Crepe Shack Aspen to get a lavender matcha latte. I don’t drink coffee, but The Crepe Shack Aspen has an extensive coffee menu for all the coffee lovers. I enjoy getting my cup of matcha and sitting outside at one of the café tables on the walking mall to people watch (one of my favorite Aspen activities).
What is your favorite breakfast spot?
My favorite breakfast spot is The Little Nell, specifically for their lemon souffle pancakes. These pancakes are fluffy, bursting with flavor and perfect to enjoy year-round. I love the added touch of the raspberry syrup and crunch from the pine nuts. For something on the savory side, I would opt for the huevos rancheros; they are delicious. The Little Nell is an Aspen institution and both the lemon pancakes and the huevos are staples on the breakfast menu that haven’t changed, which in a town that seems to be changing faster each year is a nice comfort.
What is your favorite grab and go?
Aspen doesn’t have traditional fast food restaurants, but what we do have is equally fast but extremely more delicious. My favorites two are The Crepe Shack Aspen (also above) and Big Wrap. The Crepe Shack Aspen can satisfy my sweet or savory craving; crepes are so versatile! The Big Wrap is fresh, easy, fast, and consistent. You can’t go wrong getting a wrap, salad, or tacos from there.
Where are you going for a sit-down, business lunch?
In the summertime I am going to Ajax Tavern and getting a spot on the patio at the base of Aspen Mountain. I always insist on ordering truffle fries for the table and like to try what’s new on their menu for an entrée. During the winter if I have a business lunch you’ll find me at Clark’s Oyster Bar set in the historic Little Annie’s restaurant space. Their bread service is so good, they do a simple bibb salad very well and of course for an entrée I’m grabbing seafood, and most likely their Cioppino, I love it.
What is your favorite spot for date night?
When it comes to a date night there are so many spots to choose from, but my go-to two are Cache Cache and Matsuhisa. I pick Cache Cache when I’m in the mood for classic French cuisine – I’m going to have the frisee salad, the lamb chop and anything seasonal – they are consistent, which as a restaurateur and a customer I appreciate. You can’t go wrong with sushi and sashimi and that’s why Matsuhisa is on my date night rotation. I like to sit at the sushi bar and get scallops with foie gras, anything with eel, the tempura crab and the spinach salad.
Where would you take your family?
For family night it’s either Meat & Cheese or White House Tavern. The dishes at Meat & Cheese are so shareable, which is great for a group and getting to try lots of different food. My staples at Meat & Cheese are the rotisserie chicken board, the bossam Korean pork board and the rice dumplings. White House Tavern usually has a wait, but it’s always worth it. I like to check out what their special sandwich of the day is, but if I’m not in the mood for that I will get the famous chicken sandwich, the duo dip, the chicken meatballs and the fries. Much like Meat & Cheese, the portions are big so it’s a good place to share a few dishes.
Is there a restaurant that doesn't fit on this list you want to share more about?
Absolutely, I have to mention Betula! The ambience, the service and the ceviche are worth talking about. They also have an excellent cocktail program, which is something coming from me since I don’t drink that often, and I always have to have dessert when I come here. Their style is unique – French-Peruvian – and they execute it well.
Address Book:
The Crepe Shack Aspen
401 E Cooper Ave #102, Aspen, CO 81611
Big Wrap
520 E Durant Ave #101, Aspen, CO 81611
Ajax Tavern
685 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Clark's Oyster Bar - Aspen
517 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Cache Cache
205 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Matsuhisa Aspen
303 E Main St, Aspen, CO 81611
White House Tavern
302 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop
301 E Hopkins Ave #103, Aspen, CO 81611
Betula Aspen
525 E Cooper Ave #201, Aspen, CO 81611
Hero image: Ahrling Photography / Chef Mawa McQueen
Thumb image: Ahrling Photography / Chef Mawa McQueen
