Tucked away in Aspen’s east side, Bamboo Bear is a culinary destination for exquisite Vietnamese cuisine. Citing food as a universal language, the restaurant specializes in flavorful dishes of banh mi, pho, steamed or fried dumplings, and another casual Vietnamese fare. It’s more of a laid-back dining spot, so while there’s no kids menu, many of the options on the regular menu should suffice. Try the “local favorite” – marinated crispy chicken – or order chicken wings and skewers to share. If you’ve never had pho, this is probably the best place to do in Aspen. “Grandpa Ha’s” family recipe has been passed down for generations.