A week into its tenure as an Aspen restaurant, Casa D’Angelo has a full bar, patio seating with a view of Aspen Mountain and a full wall of windows to give the perfect sunset dining experience.  Celebrity chef Angelo Elia — born in Salerno, Italy and now a long-time resident of Southern Florida and Snowmass  — celebrated the grand opening of his first Aspen-based restaurant last Friday.

Elia owns nine Italian restaurants across southern Florida and the Bahamas, and he said he is excited to bring his traditional, homemade flavors and fresh, local ingredients to Aspen. “I’m in love with Snowmass and Aspen, so I feel like I’ll be here forever,” Elia said. “I don’t classify myself as a corporate person, I classify myself mostly as a restaurant owner but focused on individuals. We are an independent restaurant.”