Proving to be unstoppable, the team behind three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park has taken their moveable feast to Los Angeles and Las Vegas this year and is now capping off 2018 with the unveiling of their EMP Winter House, which opens tomorrow at Chef’s Club at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Like it’s summertime sibling, EMP Winter House is exclusive to American Express cardholders. Unlike the Hamptons installment, it’s the Rockies, as well as Humm’s native Switzerland, that were tapped for inspiration for the Aspen locale, and features a 3,500-square-foot dining room fitted with 90 seats, a custom-made Yurt village and all the necessary decorative items one would find in a chalet. (Read: a chandelier made of elk antlers.)
The food at EMP Winter House is reminiscent of Humm’s youth; aprés ski gets dialed up by way of oysters on the half shell, scallop ceviche, caviar service, chicken schnitzel sandwiches with Holstein sauce, lobster rolls and thermoses of bone broth. The dinner menu sees winter warming dishes including cavatelli with black truffle with ricotta, sausage and Parmesan; beef stroganoff with hen of the woods, bell peppers and cream sauce; and a whole roasted chicken stuffed with brioche, rosemary and lemon for two.
Vacationers will relish in the large format experiences EMP Winter House has to offer. Served family-style (in the aforementioned private yurt, no doubt), guests can opt for one of three fondues (think cheese or broth), as well as a hearty feast of slow-roasted Colorado lamb served with potato gratin, mushrooms, cabbage and greens. (And there are truffles upon truffles under the aptly-named “Black Diamond” section on the menu.)
Some of the specialty cocktails from bar director Leo Robitschek, too, like spiced cider, mulled wine and the popular Swiss beverage Schümli Pflümli also come in thermoses. And yes, eggnog can be yours; the restaurant spikes its with Chivas 12 Year, Diplomatico and Pierre Ferrand Ambre.
EMP Winter House opens tomorrow, December 15, at Chef's Club at The St. Regis Aspen Resort and will run through April 6, 2019.
Hero image by Gary He.
