Edwards Restaurant CAYA Opens in Riverwalk Complex

Aspen —CAYA Restaurant has opened its doors in the Riverwalk complex in Edwards, taking over the space formerly occupied by Etown. Owner JD Childress launched the establishment earlier this month, marking a shift in the culinary landscape of that specific corridor.

The new venue operates under an acronym derived from a popular song by the Colorado jam band String Cheese Incident. Child selected the name to reflect a philosophy of accessibility, inviting patrons to visit regardless of their activity or attire. "We want you to know that you can come as you are after fishing or rafting on the river, after skiing on the mountain, after a wedding or just going out for a date night," Childress explained. The letter "Y" holds personal significance for the owner, who incorporated it into the names of his teenage daughters, Lyla and Paryn. Both women worked the host stand during a friends-and-family event prior to the public opening, anchoring the business in family legacy.

Childress describes the cuisine as "globally inspired elevated bar food." He aims to balance fine dining quality with a rustic, bar-and-grill atmosphere. The menu features a wide selection of appetizers, mains, sandwiches, and sides that draw from international influences while maintaining American staples. Specific dishes include albondigas, a Spanish meatball appetizer; panzanella, a Tuscan-style salad; and pescado a la veracruzana, a classic fish dish from Veracruz, Mexico. These international options sit alongside shrimp and grits, smash burgers, and butcher steak.

Seasonality is a core component of the menu’s philosophy. Childress emphasizes sourcing locally from neighbors and eating according to the season. "Why do we need to eat a tomato in the winter? Why do we need to eat rosemary now? That to me doesn't make sense," he said. The menu reflects this approach with items like the summer melon salad and kale Caesar, alongside heartier options such as duck tacos, pimento cheese fritters, mussels, and elote.

The restaurant also offers outdoor seating on the patio and features live music from Friday through Sunday. The menu extends to children with a kid’s burger, mac ‘n cheese, and chicken strips, while dessert options include funnel cakes, beignets, and gelato. Other notable items on the menu include Korean cucumber salad, southern succotash, the porchetta panino, prosciutto fig panino, tuna melt, almond chicken salad sandwich, and the Phil Layofish battered cod sandwich.

The space itself has been a fixture in Edwards, providing a familiar backdrop for the new culinary concept. Childress’s approach seeks to integrate global flavors with local support, creating a dining experience that is both elevated and accessible. The restaurant’s location in Riverwalk ensures it remains part of the community's social fabric, offering a place for locals and visitors to gather.

Live music fills the air on Friday nights, drawing crowds to the patio where the scent of grilled food mixes with the evening breeze. Inside, the warm lighting highlights the wooden accents and the bustling energy of the kitchen. Outside, the string lights above the tables cast a soft glow on diners enjoying their meals. It is a scene that feels both lively and relaxed, fitting for a place named after a song about being exactly where you are.