The mountains of Aspen are about to welcome a taste of the Italian coast. Marea, the award-winning restaurant that has redefined coastal Italian dining in New York City and Beverly Hills, is bringing its celebrated culinary artistry to the slopes this winter. Opening December 17, 2025, at The Snow Lodge within The St. Regis Aspen Resort, this marks Marea's third U.S. location and represents a perfect marriage of alpine elegance and Mediterranean sophistication.
For food and beverage professionals tracking the latest expansion trends in luxury dining, this opening signals a significant shift in how renowned restaurant groups are approaching seasonal markets and destination dining experiences.
A Natural Evolution for Marea's Coastal Italian Legacy
Since its debut on Central Park South in 2009, Marea has established itself as more than just a restaurant: it's become a cultural institution. Under the leadership of Altamarea Group founder and CEO Ahmass Fakahany, the brand has consistently pushed the boundaries of coastal Italian cuisine while maintaining the warm hospitality that defines great Italian dining.
"Aspen, with its unique balance of sophistication and vibrancy, is a natural home for our next chapter," shared Fakahany. "We're delighted to follow our clients to their seasonal outposts and bring our convivial spirit to this iconic winter destination."
The expansion follows the successful launch of Marea Beverly Hills in 2024, demonstrating the brand's strategic approach to capturing affluent seasonal markets where their clientele travels. For hospitality managers and restaurant owners, this represents a masterclass in brand extension: following your customers rather than simply chasing new markets.
Signature Dishes That Define Coastal Italian Excellence
At the heart of Marea's appeal lies its unwavering commitment to pristine ingredients and expert technique. Brand Executive Chef PJ Calapa has crafted a menu that honors the restaurant's coastal Italian roots while embracing the unique energy of Aspen's mountain setting.
The menu features Marea's most celebrated expressions, each dish telling a story of Italian culinary tradition refined through modern technique:
Pristine Crudi: These raw seafood preparations have become synonymous with Marea's approach to highlighting the natural flavors of the sea. Each crudo showcases the restaurant's relationships with premium suppliers and the chef's understanding of how simple preparations can achieve extraordinary results.
Hand-Rolled Pastas: The pasta program at Marea represents the soul of Italian cooking: time-honored techniques executed with precision. These aren't just dishes; they're edible expressions of Italian culinary heritage.
Fusilli with Octopus and Bone Marrow: Perhaps Marea's most iconic dish, this decadent creation perfectly embodies the restaurant's philosophy of balancing richness with elegance. The interplay between tender octopus and luxurious bone marrow has made this dish legendary among food industry professionals.
Astice: The butter-poached lobster with soft burrata represents Marea's ability to elevate simple concepts into memorable experiences. This dish showcases how premium ingredients, when treated with respect and skill, can create transformative dining moments.
Aspen-Exclusive Creations for the Mountain Market
Understanding that location influences cuisine, Chef Calapa has developed dishes exclusively for the Aspen market that respect regional seasonality while maintaining Marea's sophisticated identity:
Rotolo Bianco: This delicate white Bolognese layered with Tuscan kale, ricotta, Parmesan, fennel, and tarragon represents the chef's ability to create comfort food that doesn't sacrifice sophistication. For cold mountain evenings, this dish offers the warmth and richness that Aspen diners crave.
Capillina: A textured frisée salad with poached egg, tuna lardon, and Barolo vinaigrette that demonstrates how Italian techniques can transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The use of Barolo vinaigrette speaks to the restaurant's commitment to authentic Italian flavor profiles.
These Aspen-specific additions show how successful restaurant expansion requires more than simply replicating existing menus: it demands understanding local preferences while maintaining brand identity.
The Snow Lodge Partnership: Where Italian Meets Alpine
The collaboration with The Snow Lodge represents a strategic partnership that benefits both brands. Founded by Jayma Cardoso, The Snow Lodge has quickly established itself as Aspen's premier destination for celebrities, influencers, and discerning travelers since its 2019 opening.
"The Snow Lodge has always been about creating moments that feel effortless and unforgettable," said Cardoso. "It's where great food, music, art, and people come together. Teaming up with Marea brings a new flavor to Aspen that fits perfectly with our vibe and spirit."
This partnership exemplifies how luxury dining brands can leverage existing hospitality infrastructure to enter new markets more efficiently. Rather than building from scratch, Marea benefits from The Snow Lodge's established reputation and operational foundation.
Wine Program Excellence Meets Mountain Air
The dining experience extends beyond the plate through an award-winning wine program curated by Senior Brand Director Francesco Grosso. His cellar philosophy of bridging Italy's grand estates with global discoveries creates perfect harmony with Aspen's rhythm: from après-ski relaxation through late evening indulgence.
For beverage directors and sommeliers, this program represents a masterclass in wine curation for seasonal markets. The selection process considers not just food pairing potential, but the unique energy and expectations of the Aspen dining scene.
The wine program's success lies in its ability to offer both accessibility for casual après-ski dining and depth for serious wine enthusiasts seeking special bottles for important occasions.
Creating Seamless Transitions from Day to Night
One of the most challenging aspects of destination dining is creating experiences that work for different dayparts and occasions. Marea at The Snow Lodge addresses this through thoughtful design and programming that transitions effortlessly from après-ski casualness to evening fine dining.
This dual-purpose approach offers valuable lessons for restaurant operators in seasonal markets: flexibility in service style and atmosphere can significantly expand market reach and revenue potential.
Industry Recognition and Market Impact
The opening has garnered attention from industry leaders, including Heather Steenge-Hart, Area General Manager of Marriott International's Luxury Mountain Resorts. "We are pleased to welcome Marea Restaurant to The St. Regis Aspen Resort this winter season," she noted. "Marea's exquisite coastal Italian menu and globally-renowned hospitality are a welcome addition to our property, and to Aspen."
This endorsement from Marriott International highlights how hotel companies recognize the value of partnering with established restaurant brands rather than developing concepts internally: a trend that food and beverage directors should note.
Reservation Information and Contact Details
Marea at The Snow Lodge officially opens December 17, 2025, at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, located at 315 E Dean Street, Aspen, CO.
For reservations: mareaaspen@altamareagroup.com
Media inquiries: marea@foxglovecommunications.com
Follow the journey on social media:
- @marearestaurants
- @thesnowlodgeaspen
- @stregisaspen
The Future of Destination Dining
Marea's expansion into Aspen represents broader trends in the hospitality industry: following affluent customers to their seasonal destinations, creating authentic local connections while maintaining brand identity, and leveraging strategic partnerships for market entry.
For food and beverage professionals, this opening offers insights into successful luxury brand expansion, the importance of location-specific menu development, and the power of strategic hospitality partnerships.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, Marea's Aspen debut demonstrates how established brands can successfully expand into new markets while maintaining the standards and experiences that built their reputation. The combination of Italian coastal cuisine and alpine atmosphere creates something entirely new while honoring both traditions.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
