Downvalley Tavern debuts in El Jebel

The Downvalley Tavern is the newest addition to El Jebel's surprisingly robust restaurant offerings.

Drew Scott, ex-chef of Elevation in Aspen, and his wife, Bonnie Scott, opened the Downvalley Tavern on July 3 at 64 El Jebel Road, site of the old Blue Creek Grill, which shuttered at the end of May.

The Downvalley Tavern fare is a modern interpretation of simple Southern Italian food. The remodeled space exudes a casual but hip ambiance where you can sit down for a full mean or just grab a drink.

Looking for a drink and an appetizer that won't bust your budget or gut? How about a $$3.50 bottle of beer and $5 rosemary parmesan fries? Or a $5 cabernet and and mozzarella-stuffed fried rissoto for $6?

Other appetizers include crispy calamari for $8, roasted asparagus for $6 and crostinis with choice of chicken pate with balsamic fig, tomato, basil and ricotta or salami and olive tapenade.

Salads begin with greens for $6; grilled garden squash, roasted pepper or roasted beet for $7; prosciutto, marinated calamari salads for $8; or why not go big and try the Italian Cobb for $11.

Eleven pasta dishes — including a rigatoni bolognese and oricchiette al forno — go for $12-$15.

Entrees run the gamut and feature burgers for $9; chicken cacciatore or lamb meatballs for $13, eggplant parmesan for $14; grilled pork shoulder or pork skewer for $15; a $16 barbecued skirt steak; a $17 mountain trout: or an $18 salmon with arugula, tomato caper relish and risotto cake.

The Downvalley Tavern is open for lunch too (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) The lunch menu features $5-$9 salads and $7-$9 freshly made sandwiches. There is also ample outdoor seating featuring umbrellas in the front and even more seating wrapped around the side of the building.

While the Downvalley Tavern's opening is the public's gain so is the new paint job just around the corner where longstanding establishments like the qauint Italian eatery, Bella Mia, and greasy spoon legend, Breakfast in America, sit alongside Malibu Authentic Salvadorian & Mexican Food and San Miguel Panaderia & Deli — two authentic South of the Border eateries that opened over the past year.

River Name / Location	Stream flow, ft3/s	Gage height ft
Gore Creek
At Upper Station, Near I-70 Twin Bridges	n/a	4 ft
Booth Creek	n/a	4 ft
Abv Red Sandstone Creek At Vail	182	6 ft
At Mouth Near Minturn	217	7 ft
Beaver Creek
At Avon	21	2 ft
Lake Creek
Near Edwards	80	1 ft
Cross Creek
Near Minturn	104	4 ft
Homestake Creek
At Gold Park	121	5 ft
Eagle River
East Fork Eagle River Near Climax	n/a	2 ft
At Red Cliff	30	3 ft
Near Minturn	237	4 ft
Wastewater Treatment Plant At Avon	675	5 ft
Below Gypsum	853	5 ft
Colorado River
Near Kremmling	407	4 ft
Near Dotsero	1,630	3 ft
Below Glenwood Springs	3,180	5 ft
Near Cameo	3,760	6 ft
Below Grand Valley Div Nr Palisade	2,080	5 ft
Near Colorado-utah State Line	4,120	4 ft
Near Cisco, Ut	4,020	3 ft
At Lees Ferry, Az	12,000	9 ft
Near Grand Canyon, Az	12,300	9 ft
Yuma Main Canal Ww At Yuma, Az	1,010	10 ft
Roaring Fork River
Abv Lost Man Cr Near Aspen	n/a	n/a ft
Ab Difficult C Nr Aspen	52	1 ft
Near Aspen	78	1 ft
Near Emma	480	6 ft
At Glenwood Springs	1,180	3 ft
Hunter Creek
Near Aspen	56	2 ft
At Aspen	48	4 ft
Frying Pan River
Near Ruedi	113	2 ft
Crystal River
Abv Avalanche Crk, Near Redstone	540	2 ft
Arkansas River
Ef Arkansas R At Us Highway 24, Nr Leadville	47	3 ft
Near Leadville	86	5 ft
Below Empire Gulch Near Malta	159	4 ft
Below Granite	429	4 ft
Near Nathrop	451	4 ft
At Parkdale	464	3 ft