Sought-after Italian-American restaurant set for Aspen

Aspenites might want to brush up on their Italian — it’s likely foodies will be saying “buonissimo!” very soon. 

Hailing from New York, the Italian-American restaurant Mt. Rubirosa is landing in Aspen and settling in at The Residences at the Little Nell Hotel on Dec. 7.

Presented by Resy, the highly anticipated new venue at the base of Aspen Mountain is an offshoot of Rubirosa, which calls 235 Mulberry Street in the Little Italy district of Manhattan its home. Its second location, Camp Rubirosa in East Hampton, launched earlier this year.

“For the last 15 years, my family has built Rubirosa on Mulberry Street with great passion, and to have the kind of relationship we do with our community is humbling,” Owner Maria Pappalardo said in a press release of the neighborhood restaurant, which was founded in 2009. “The opportunity to take our experience to new places like East Hampton and now Aspen is a privilege we take seriously.”

The menu will feature its world-famous and trademarked thin-crusted Tie-dye pizza, pioneered by Guiseppe Pappalardo, Maria’s father, on Staten Island in the early 1960s. 

“We’ve brought the dishes that define us, like our lasagna and Tie-Dye pizza, along with seasonal additions featuring local produce, meats, and fresh-water fish,” Co-Owner Brian Bedol said.

House-made dishes will include items like their standout lasagna with sweet fennel sausage and tiny meatballs, along with their renowned gluten-free pizza and pasta, kid-friendly choices, and desserts.

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If you’re looking for presents this Christmas, Rubirosa’s specialty items might also be an option, as its gift set of pasta and sauces is listed in 2025 Oprah’s Favorite Things.

The Aspen location at 501 E. Dean St. will include a large heated piazza, a full outdoor apres-ski bar, a rustic taverna, and a private dining salon for celebrations and gatherings. It will be open for lunch, après-ski, and dinner, as well as take-out. 

Pappalardo wants to create a “cross-generational home base,” which provides big tables for groups, bar seats for walk-ins, and easy access from the slopes, according to a press release.

“I have had the privilege of visiting Aspen regularly for the past 40 years and have experienced its evolution from a classic ski town to a celebrated global destination,” Bedol said in the release. “Mt. Rubirosa feels like the perfect blend of the two, in one of the best locations in the world. Aspen has redefined mountain hospitality. We will work hard to live up to its standards and become a place that is loved by locals and visitors alike.”

Contributing to the success of the East Hampton location was the restaurant’s partnership with Resy, according to the release. The groundbreaking partnership allowed special benefits for eligible card members like Global Dining Access by Resy. The partnership will continue in the Rockies with Resy’s Après Ski experience, exclusive table access, and other Amex Card Member benefits.

Mt. Rubirosa will continue to share updates on seasonal programming, Sunday Suppers, holiday menus, and live music nights leading up to their December opening. For updates, visit @mt.rubirosa on Instagram or visit mtrubirosa.com.