Idaho Mountain Express: Happy Hour, with a view

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Hour, with a view

Beer and wine bar to open in historic Roundhouse

By TREVON MILLIARD
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Resort spokesman Jack Sibbach stands in the renovated Averell’s Bar, scheduled to open tomorrow in the Roundhouse. Photo by David N. Seelig

The historic Roundhouse restaurant, located midway up Bald Mountain, has gone through a facelift between winter seasons, resulting in a renovated dining hall, heated cement stairs and the most notable alteration of all, a new bar dubbed Averell's.

The beer and wine bar was named after diplomat and former governor of New York W. Averell Harriman, who founded Sun Valley Resort and built Roundhouse in 1939 when he was chairman of the board of Union Pacific Railroad.

The bar didn't require construction of an addition but merely cleaning the former Averell's Restaurant, which hasn't seen a customer for years. Sun Valley Resort spokesman Jack Sibbach said the downstairs room, with its wall of panoramic windows, has been used for storage. Not many people know it even exists.

He said that when it was a restaurant, it was the fine-dining destination with the upstairs room being a cafeteria. He said that when the cafeteria took the fine-dining role, Averell's Restaurant fell by the wayside.

But, he said, the new gondola presented the opportunity for a beer and wine bar that will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering food like gravlax (cured salmon), a cheese platter and "crepes au fromage."

With the gondola streaming in foot traffic from 2,000 feet below, Sibbach said, the resort predicts Roundhouse crowds to increase. And with the restaurant not taking lunch reservations, customers can have a drink while waiting.

The gondola also allows the Roundhouse to start offering the First Tracks Continental Breakfast starting at 8 a.m.

"At 9 a.m. sharp, the First Tracks skiers and boarders will be the first on the slopes," Sibbach said.

Sun Valley Resort originally planned on offering dinner at the Roundhouse this season, but the U.S. Forest Service put a damper on those plans. Sibbach said the Americans with Disabilities Act requires Roundhouse to provide handicapped access and handicap-accessible bathrooms if it wants to open to the public for dinner.

"That's what the Forest Service is telling us," he said. "Architects are looking at it right now."

Sibbach said these architects would present options and costs to the resort after their evaluation.

Still, people can book the Roundhouse for private dinner functions. But, Sibbach said, that wouldn't come cheap.

Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com

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The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

11/30/09 - 08:27

I would really like to see Roundhouse offer reservations (at least some limited amout) at lunch. I am never going to be able to go if we have to "wait at the bar" until a table opens. That is too much time off the slopes.

Peace

11/25/09 - 16:13

Ok folks, lets take all to the positive. The restaurant is amazing the view from the awesome bar is to die for. Thank you to the Sun Valley Co. for taking steps for the community; including terrain park plans, new ideas, ways to bring up the economy. Happy Thanksgiving!

Noelle

11/25/09 - 11:44

This is GREAT. It's just wonderful that Sun Valley Company is putting a beautiful remodel on a historic building and utilizing it in such a way that the public will have access to it-and hopefully soon even those who are physically challenged will be able to enjoy Roundhouse as well. Remember, it was build during an era when those with disabilities did not ski. And today we realize that everyone is welcome everywhere and we must make it safe for everyone to exit a building in case of a fire.
Nobody forces you to use the expensive ski lifts on Baldy. It is not a right, it is a luxury. Sun Valley Company has spent a fortune to make this a first class mountain and they should be compensated and make a large profit. Skiing is an expensive sport/hobby. Everybody in the business is looking to make money. Just like everybody with a job is looking to make money. Making money is not a crime. Stop your complaining and look at the positive.

Karl Johan Uri – Warm Springs

11/25/09 - 10:08

What no cocktails? Sad.

Get over it

11/25/09 - 09:41

How about if you don’t like that they don’t have "access for all" then you don’t go there and give them your money. What’s the difference if they don’t have it for dinner or lunch? They are a private company, it should be up to them what they do with that building.

Reply to Get over it

Equal Access

11/25/09 - 10:46

Federal laws and likely state laws cover the Civil Rights of Individuals with Disabilities because of people like you that would just as easily discriminate by not providing Equal and All Inclusive Access. This is not 1950, it is 2009 and Civil Rights for the Disabled shall be recognized and followed.

Reply to Get over it

Equal Access

11/25/09 - 14:21

Get over it truly needs to get over the ignorant disrespectful attitude towards people! As far as I am concerned, any public invite facility or restaurant shouldn't be given a Certificate of Occupancy unless the location is 100% Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities. There are at least 50 million Individuals in America with some type of Disability. Ensuring that that demographic has Access to your "private" or public facility should be a priority. Make a difference to many by creating Access to your public accommodation!

T Gregory

11/25/09 - 09:24

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Roundhouse must be accessible even for private events.

Duh

11/25/09 - 08:51

When will SKIERS/BOARDERS be given EQUAL ACCESS to the mountain at 8:30 (or 8am like a few privledged extremely rich people) like the Sun Valley Company gives to those who buy an early ski lesson? How is that right? We pay the same price for a ski pass. Isn't that against the rules and contract with the Forest Service?
How many of you have wated in line early in the morning for some untracked only to have people pass you and get on the chair early. And then you get to the top and nothing but crud! Even the ski patrol has a system where every patroler can bring a friend up the chair around 7am and take them skiing. They will say it's not true, but I know first hand, I have gone up with them. The one time I did, I felt really bad and waited at the patrol shack until 9am.
Everyone should call the Forest Service and the SV Co. and complain! It's just not right!
It's called ELITISM my friends, and you're a victim.
Don't let it continue!!!!!!

Reply to Duh

11/25/09 - 09:05

It's a business! People pay for privates to get early access. Revenues go up on powder days for the company. It's a private company, run for that dirty word profit! Instructors get clients, tips are paid, jobs are created, etc., etc. Get two cars, head to Galena summit, ski untracked all day long!!

debbie – local

11/25/09 - 08:35

what does the ski patrol think about having imbibers wandering around way past quitting time ?

Jen Smith

11/25/09 - 08:35

I don't see how Mr. Milliard put a negative spin on the access issue, although the term "handicap" is definitely antiquated, even for Idaho! Perhaps it would do the reporter some good to update his language. Good on the USFS, however, for taking this stance - I hope Sun Valley Company keeps up the momentum of catching up to other resorts of its caliber by mandating access for ALL.

Equal Access

11/25/09 - 02:36

Trevon, your negative spin on handicap Access is like saying Individuals with Disabilities are not welcome for dinner because it will delay the gratification of others. Try writing an article that is inviting and All Inclusive in tone!