Mezzaluna Aspen Space to Become French-American Bistro
The 624 E. Cooper Ave. space that houses the restaurant Mezzaluna will be converted to a modern French-American bistro late this year. Mezzaluna's owners are expected to close their downtown Aspen eatery in the first week of October.
Romain Pavee will be co-owner and operator of the bistro, ZigZag Aspen, according to Joy Limanon, a marketing consultant based in Santa Monica, California. Limanon said in an email to the Aspen Daily News that Pavee is a luxury hospitality industry specialist with two decades of experience "cultivated across France, New York and Las Vegas."
Longtime Aspen residents Scott and Carly Weber will be partners in ZigZag Aspen, the email says. “The Webers, known for their philanthropy in the Aspen Valley … are bringing their deep community ties and love for Aspen to this new venture,” the email states.
The Webers are local real estate brokers and founders of CS Weber Investments, which focuses on redeveloping residential properties in luxury resort markets, according to the website of its business partner, Weber Boxer Group.
In addition, the Webers are former owners and operators of The Regal, a Galena Street dance club that closed in 2014. Under new ownership, it was transformed into a country bar called Whiskey Rush, with Scott Weber as a minority partner. Today the location at 210 S. Galena St., in the underground space of the Elks Building, houses the nightclub Silver City.
The Webers also are vice chairs and founding board members of the The Aspen Snowball, a philanthropic organization with an annual event that includes a black-tie gala. The entity works to raise money and awareness in an attempt to eradicate pediatric cancer.
Limanon’s email says ZigZag's location in the former Mezzaluna space “will soon be a culinary landmark in the heart of Aspen.” A Mezzaluna co-owner declined to comment on the pending closure when reached by the Aspen Daily News last month.
“ZigZag Aspen will breathe new life into a cherished space, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere where locals and visitors alike can gather to enjoy exceptional food and world-class cocktails,” Limanon’s email continues. “The restaurant will feature the only traditional wood-burning oven left in Aspen, making it a culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après-ski, dinner and beyond.”
Sam Talbot will be the bistro’s head chef. The bar program will be overseen by Devon Tarby, “a craft bar expert” formerly of Proprietors LLC in Los Angeles, Limanon's email says.
Some light renovations to the space are being planned, the email adds.
Mezzaluna Aspen was started in the late 1980s by investor Charif Souki, who sold it to the restaurant’s current majority owner and a partner in the early 1990s.
Aspen Daily News columnist Scott T. Martin lamented the impending closure of Mezzaluna Aspen in a recent commentary, as did a letter-to-the-editor writer.
By: I Aspen Daily News I September 4, 2024