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Indulge in a culinary journey like no other at Rock Island Oyster Bar and Grill. Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains, we seamlessly combine our love of coastal cuisine and mountain fare to create a truly unforgettable dining experience.
We are dedicated to the flavor, quality and health of every element we include in our dishes. Our region is rich with knowledgeable and talented producers. We foster relationships with our local community through unique collaborations to offer our guests a plethora of dishes made with the highest quality ingredients that are diverse, flavorful and unforgettable.
Why the name Rock Island? Rock Island is named after the Double Black Diamond, Extreme, Ski Run on Snowmass Mountain. (notice the EX in our Logo). We also have frequent live entertainment, a play on the word "Rock" and don't forget "Island." Our concept is based off of the little coastal restaurants in the beach town Long Beach Island, NJ where two of the owners grew up.
About Jacob Burkhardt
Chef-Owner Jacob Burkhardt discovered his love for cooking at an early age while working in local restaurants around his hometown of Ooltewah, Tennessee, just outside of Chattanooga. Jacob completed culinary studies at Johnson and Wales University that included an externship at Castello di Gabbiano in the Tuscany region of Italy. This was an experience that further sparked his love for food as he began to see the importance of each ingredient, its seasonality, and locality.
In the years to follow, Jacob has had an extensive list of restaurant endeavors. He has traveled the country working in major cities such as Manhattan, Aspen, Vail, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Charleston. He most recently had the opportunity to work with the Bacchus Restaurant Group as Chef de Cuisine at the Village Pub in Woodside, California where he held a Michelin Star for 2020 and 2021.
