Hygge Life Dinner | Vail Valley
Last weekend, my sweet mama, beautiful cousin, precious son and I piled up in my car on Sunday, in the early afternoon and headed for the snowy mountains that make up the Vail Valley. We wound West through Eisenhower tunnel, on the other side slowly soaking up some of the snow storm then passed through Vail proper and pulled into the quaint, almost fanciful nook of a town, Edwards. With a population just north of 10k, the new coffee shop across the way is celebrated and had been eagerly welcomed with open arms. It's sweet here. It's nestled at the base of the mountains and the views will pull the breath straight out of your lungs. While unpacking the car with what seemed to be 15 bags a patron of the bar inside of our hotel ran out to help me hustle inside so that the snow didn't drench Amos or myself. What a warm welcome. The view from just a few stories above the ground offered the magical sight of snowfall covering the trees and just kissing the earth, "like feathers from the sky" My mom remarked to Amos. A few snuggles with Amos and an outfit change, I walked down Main Street and arrived at in front of a facade that looks usual. However, when I opened the door, I found my heart's love language strewn throughout this structurally beautiful and candlelit Bakery + Bar...
I was invited to attend a five course dinner at The Rose on Main Street in Edwards, hosted by Hygge Life. Every detail had been intentionally chosen by the owners of Hygge Life, Alexandra, and Husband, Koen. The kitchen was bustling about, filled with busy hands who had been preparing our dining experience literally for the week prior to Sunday evening. Chairs were covered to be made cozy and comfortable, florals had been twisted together and laid to line the table by a neighboring florist, a cocktail absorbed its herbs flavors in carafes in the mist of the greenery and the menu, hand lettered in calligraphy onto the fabric of the napkins. The details just as well as the panoramic view, breathtaking. I felt warm and cared for immediately by way of the sweet welcome from Koen. In the final hour of preparation before The Rose's door opened to new faces and familiar ones what is usually filled with stressful last-minute choices and "oh I forgots," there was a calm. The demeanor at which they double checked things was enjoyable and set the tone for the evening. Friends, enjoy....
With music beautifully sung and the guitar famously picked, drinks poured and everything set just so, guests began to pour in. One at a time Alex welcomed and guided to their welcoming drink. A cocktail with a tequila base and refreshing as cold water on a hot day. Two more, please! Just following the last guest's arrival came a welcome toast and a quick explanation of what we can each expect. However, the words could not have and did not accurately depict the experiences that my tastebuds would actually encounter. I've dined all over the world, street food to five-star restaurants and truly, these courses hung up there with the best of them. We all entered the dining area and sat wherever we felt drawn to. There is something about sitting down with strangers and becoming united. New topics to discuss, or the same ones but with new humans? It all feels fresh, removing ourselves from the usual and expanding the walls of our comfort zone. In with the food.. The courses. The root vegetable salad to start and the Poke Bowl nearing the end. My mouth is watering.
The last course switched from having been plated to coming out dish after dish with all of the family style feels expected. There's something about holding a dish full of scrumptious food for a (semi) stranger as they place food on their plate or while they spoon a serving on to your plate for you. Something about filling another's freshly placed glass with a crisp, cool white wine before your own. We ate until there was no room left and there was still food to be had. Dessert served in the neighboring room, eclairs + cheese with fruit, fresh macaroons and of course, a closing cocktail. Three hours later, with our bellies full, farewells shared and coats layered back on, we left. But not without a quick glance of the glow from the dinner with the snow covering the branches that tunneled our sidewalk on the way home. Cheers, Alex and Koen, thanks for reminding us that life doesn't have to be complicated and that the most simple of things necessary for life when done with thoughtfulness and a slower pace embody the hygge life. xx-karen
