A Cozy Mountain Modern Take on Thai Food in Aspen
Reimagined recipes in honor of Thai food tradition
Photo: Haley Carrere, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
When it comes to good eating, good dining coincides.
Founded by renowned architect Michael Hsu, principle, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, and New Waterloo, sway Aspen is a modern Thai restaurant that elevates the concept of tradition. Since 2012 – with its flagship location in Austin, Texas – the restaurant has served guests Thai dishes made with seasonal and regional ingredients. Sean Robison, Chief Operations Officer of Infinite Hospitality, and Alexis Lainman, Chief Marketing Officer for New Waterloo – both from co-ownership groups of sway Aspen – share how they, “Believe sway to be the perfect blend of summer and winter, light and hearty. The menu presents a unique offering to Aspen diners.”
Photo: Matt Snell, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
Everything about sway blends the worlds of design and imagination. From its menu to its edgy, yet, sophisticated interiors that captivate the senses. When asked about the concept, both Chief Marketing Officers explained that “sway Aspen has cultivated a distinctive aesthetic that invokes warmth, coziness, and intimacy while exuding the vibrancy of a bustling family meal in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.”
In addition, “For the introduction of sway into Aspen, our aim was to craft an intimate space that fuses Thai culinary traditions with the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Our inspiration drew from traditional Thai homes with all-teak interiors and high-mountain experiences in Nepal.” During this process, Michael Hsu led as the Office of Architecture, and Charles Cunniffe Architects as the Architect of Record.
Photo: Matt Snell, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
Hsu, says, “sway embodies pared-down comfort, offering luxurious yet raw and honest surroundings. Plush banquettes, gentle lighting and soft acoustics are curated to create a cozy, inviting setting. We manipulated materials in unexpected ways, wire brushing wood to expose layers, forming raw brass and steel in gentle curves, and employing clay plaster to create new, subtle textures.”
For instance, to create moments of discovery, hand-sculpted cotton paper banana leaf pendants were designed in collaboration with Pelle. Hsu continues, “LaSpec out of LA fabricated custom unique light fixtures, including Thai mulberry paper pendants and brass boat pendants that will patina over time, developing even more character.”
Photo: Haley Carrere, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
sway’s bar is also an area that exudes its playful style with a “Calacatta Viola White marble bar top with a burgundy glazed lava-stone profiled tile base, custom sapele mahogany banquette furnishings, and personalized leather seating.”
Its “modern interpretation” of delicacies encourages a communal and “transportive” dining experience. Guests can expect the best ingredients sourced in Aspen that make for robust flavors. sway’s very own chef and team foster and maintain close relationships with local Aspen farmers and family-owned businesses. “It is luxurious and vibrant, yet deceptively simple. It is in embracing these contrasts that we provide a truly Aspen experience,” Robison and Lainman explain.
Photo: Matt Snell, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
Items on the Aspen menu are not to be missed. Raw oysters with a crispy garnish make for a delicious favorite, along with sway’s signature “Son-in-Law” – made with braised pork shoulder, a crispy farm egg, thick soy, nahm prik pla, and sticky rice. For those looking for another unique option, a whole fried fish is a foodie must that’s accentuated by fish chili vinegar, charred bok choy, Thai herbs, and garlic chips.
“Its crispy skin, delicate meat and tangy sauce make you think about the dish again the next day,” the Chief Marketing Officers reveal. “We also love the Thai basil eggplant which hits so many areas in your mouth at once. It’s like a welcome assault.” Each dish is meant to be shared family-style, the team emphasizes. The way sway intends it.
Photo: Matt Snell, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
Beer, wine and sake are also found on sway’s happy hour menu from 4 to 5 pm every day. Its newly introduced happy program includes half-priced drinks, selected discounted bar menu items and a new takeout offering.
When you visit, be sure to #swaynextday.
Photo: Matt Snell, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
Photo: Haley Carrere, Courtesy of of Infinite Hospitality and New Waterloo
