Sakaba

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Contemporary Sushi Bar in the Colorado Rockies

Sakaba — the Japanese word for "bar" — is The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch's answer to a contemporary sushi restaurant, set within the resort's dining landscape in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The atmosphere is intimate yet casual, a deliberate contrast to the grandeur of the surrounding mountain lodge, and it draws guests looking to slow down over fresh fish, sake, and thoughtfully made cocktails.

Forbes Travel Guide singled out Sakaba for good reason, and the details they highlight say a lot about what makes this place worth seeking out.

The Sushi, Done with Intention

Sushi is the centerpiece, and the kitchen takes it seriously. Two types of rice are prepared: one made with red rice vinegar, used as the base for hand-pressed nigiri, and a more classic version with white rice vinegar that gives each roll its structure. Paired with high-quality fish and precise knife work from the sushi chef, every piece reflects genuine craft.

Beyond the rolls, the cold and hot bites round out the menu with equal care. Uni arrives with fresh wasabi on warm rice; lobster tail is served warm with shiso-enhanced butter; and a smashed cucumber salad comes dressed in a yuzu-kosho vinaigrette — bright, clean flavors that balance the richness elsewhere on the menu.

Then there is the Hokkaido snow A5 wagyu, served ishiyaki style: the meat comes to the table raw alongside a sizzling hot stone, letting guests sear it themselves to their liking. A pinch of green tea salt and a dash of ponzu bring the whole thing into focus.

The Patio and the Cocktails

When conditions allow, the patio is the place to be. In winter, a veil of glass encloses the space, and a fire keeps things warm while snow falls outside — an experience that pairs naturally with a glass of sake or one of Sakaba's Japanese-inflected cocktails. The drinks program leans into sake and Japanese spirits: the Snow Day blends sake with coconut milk, lemongrass syrup, mint, and lime, while the Waira combines pear vodka, sake, lychee, and lime.

The setting — part of a resort that also features stacked stone, rich wood, and a three-story fireplace in the Great Room — gives Sakaba a backdrop few sushi restaurants can claim.