Refreshing samples of New Belgiums’ finest. (Post / Glenn Asakawa)
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THE GREEN BEER
New Belgium Brewery
500 LINDEN ST.,
FORT COLLINS, 1-888-NBB-4044
10 A.M.-6 P.M., DAILY. GUIDED TOURS
1, 2 AND 3 P.M. MONDAY-FRIDAY, AND 11 A.M.-4 P.M.
EVERY HOUR
SATURDAY,
CLOSED SUNDAY
BEER
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Dedicated to
sustainable building techniques, wind power and water conservation, this brewery founded by a
social worker and an engineer makes 10 types of beer, many of which you can taste at the brewery.
WHAT TO GET:
Free beer. Duh.
ESTES PARK
The Gallery Restaurant & Bar
205 Virginia Drive, Estes Park, 970-586-1865
Lunch, dinner Thursday-Tuesday, closed Wednesday
AMERICAN, $$-$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Gallery seems to be just as into art as it is cuisine; the walls are hung with paintings and photos produced by area artists, all of it for sale, and the dishes an inviting collection of internationally inspired foods with an emphasis on seafood. The views outside are nice to look at too: Longs Peak and the Divide. Live music on the weekends.
WHAT TO GET: Lime-tequila shrimp with crispy polenta cakes.
Mocha Angelo’s
175 W. Elkhorn Ave., Estes Park, 970-577-1957
9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily (summer), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Monday
COFFEEHOUSE/MARKET
WHY WE LOVE IT: Catch up on what’s happening in the area – and where the elk are hanging out – by stopping in for an expertly steamed and foamed latte at the coffee shop and sample one of the hundreds of specialty items available from the staggering collection of hot sauces and salsas, flavored oils, syrups and other gourmet goodies.
WHAT TO GET: The cranberry- green chile salsa from Classic Gourmet.
Nicky’s Steakhouse
1350 Fall River Road, Estes Park, 800-323-0031
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Friday, Saturday, Sunday (October-May), Breakfast lunch, dinner daily (April-September).
STEAKHOUSE, $$-$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Prime rib roasted in rock salt, for starters, and a rustic setting that’s not kitschy but instead says Colorado comfy. An old-fashioned bar, killer deck with umbrellas in the summer and breakfast, too (you can’t go wrong with the chicken- fried steak).
WHAT TO GET: Filet mignon.
Sweet Basilico Café
401 E. Elkhorn Ave., Estes Park, 970-586-3899
Lunch, dinner Tuesday-Sunday
ITALIAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Locals rub elbows with the tourists making their way into Rocky Mountain National Park, and no one gets hurt as they all try to get their hands on the everything- homemade fare, including hearty minestrone.
WHAT TO GET: Veal marsala.
FORT COLLINS
THE PLACE WHERE YOU SIT ON THE FLOOR
Al Salam Restaurant
822 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-484-3198
Lunch, dinner daily; closed Sunday
MIDDLE EASTERN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: You take off your shoes and sit on big pillows on the floor. Charming chef/owner and friendly servers.
WHAT TO GET: Falafel, hummus, baba ganouj and shawarma. No alcohol.
The Aspen Grille
Lory Student Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 970-491-7006
Lunch Tuesday-Friday
AMERICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: This student-run restaurant uses as many locally grown ingredients as possible, including herbs, greens and vegetables from the CSU gardens.
WHAT TO GET: Long Family Farm pork, Hi Ho Sheep Farm lamb, Prof. Jeff Miller’s homemade ice cream.
Canyon Chop House
211 Canyon Ave., Fort Collins, 970-493-9588
Dinner Tuesday-Sunday
MODERN AMERICAN, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Sleek room, polished service and sophisticated but homey food give northern Colorado eaters another fine- dining option.
WHAT TO GET: Iceberg wedge with pancetta nuggets and blue cheese vinaigrette.
Enzio’s Italian Kitchen
126 W. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, 970-484-8466
Lunch, dinner, 7 days
ITALIAN, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: When you want a pie and a tempranillo, Enzio’s thin-crust pizzas and extensive by-the- glass list satisfies.
WHAT TO GET: Surprise! The desserts are plate-licking good.
Jay’s Bistro
135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, 970-482-1876
Lunch Monday-Friday, dinner 7 days
MODERN AMERICAN, $$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Going on 27 years and still serving excellent Caesar salad, fish dishes and steaks. Plus, the live jazz makes us feel all grown up.
WHAT TO GET: Tuna tempura roll appetizer, lobster mac-n-cheese.
La Luz Mexican Grill
200 B Walnut St., 970-493-1129, Old Town Fort Collins; 140 E. Boardwalk Drive, 970-267-9444, south Fort Collins
Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily
MEXICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Local owners emphasize fresh ingredients and vivid flavors. Excellent salsas.
WHAT TO GET: Fish tacos, but it’s all good.
Little Saigon Cafe
The Square, 3500 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-225-6630
Lunch, dinner daily
VIETNAMESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Chef-owner Hung Hang seems equally comfortable tossing thick Chinese “showfun” noodles with beef, chicken, shrimp or vegetables; steaming Szechuan mussels with lemongrass; or grilling thin-sliced beef, pork and chicken with his “Vietnamese jungle of spices.”
WHAT TO GET: From-scratch ground pork and shrimp won tons in a clear chicken broth.
Los Tarascos
626 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-416-0265
Lunch, dinner
MEXICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Not your average Tex-Mex joint – no chimichangas, but lots of homemade corn tortillas, sparkling fresh salsas and classic margaritas. The Caballero family serves seafood-based dishes, creamy sauces and chiles stuffed with mushrooms from their native Michoacán.
WHAT TO GET: Gold margarita and the chile rellenos stuffed with cheese and mushrooms.
Mancino’s Pizza
& Grinders
2601 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, 970-229-0999
Lunch, dinner daily
ITALIAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: The grinder sandwiches come hot and loaded with toppings. Children like the big slices in the kids’ meals. And the pizza and calzone dough has lots of flavor.
WHAT TO GET: Build your own calzone. With extra sauce on the side.
Rocky Mountain
Bagel Works
1111 W. Elizabeth St., Fort Collins, 970-482-6981
Breakfast, lunch
BAKERY/CAFE
WHY WE LOVE IT: The people who take your order actually look you in the eye and smile. Plus the bagels are authentically delicious.
WHAT TO GET: To each his own, but we like the Italian bagel with its toasty bits of garlic, herbs and seeds.
South China
4613 S. Mason St., Unit D-1., Fort Collins, 970-225-6886
Lunch, dinner; closed Sunday
CHINESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Chef Ming Lee offers a wide range of dishes from his native Guangdong, all with a lighter touch than typical cloying Chinese fare. Bypass the Panda Express in the same parking lot.
WHAT TO GET: Minced chicken in lettuce wrap, hot- and-sour and egg-drop soups, pan-fried noodles, sesame chicken.
LOVELAND
Fourth Street Chop
House
125 E. Fourth St., Loveland, 970-613-8287
Dinner daily
STEAK, $$-$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Northern Colorado needs more fine dining options like this.
WHAT TO GET: Horseradish-encrusted filet.
Cipoletti’s Italian
Restaurant
124 E. Fourth St., Loveland, 970-669-1699
Lunch, dinner daily
ITALIAN $-$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Homemade soups and desserts, generous servings in a sleek atmosphere.
WHAT TO GET: Gnocchi with tomato vodka sauce
Monaco Trattoria
218 E. Fourth St., Loveland, 970-461-1889
Lunch, dinner Monday-Saturday; dinner Sunday
ITALIAN, $-$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Chef Giuseppe Monaco and wife Tammy Hiatt Monaco combine fresh, organic ingredients with staples flown in from Giuseppe’s native Capri.
WHAT TO GET: Bruschetta piled with grape tomatoes, bits of mild garlic and basil liberally lubed in olive oil. Giant tiramisu.
Schmidt’s Bakery
and Delicatessen
808 14th St., Loveland, 970-667-9811
Breakfast, lunch, early dinner daily
GERMAN BAKERY/DELI
/RESTAURANT $
WHY WE LOVE IT: From braunschweiger to wedding cakes, this friendly bakery/restaurant serves excellent German food and makes incredible desserts.
WHAT TO GET: Cherry pie
GREELEY AREA
Wonderful Inn
3605 W. 10th St., Greeley, 970-356-3388
Lunch, dinner daily
CHINESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Not-too-sweet sauces and no-nonsense service.
WHAT TO GET: Crispy sesame chicken, torchin’ “General Chicken,” intensely chickeny egg-drop soup and succulent mu shu.
Randy’s Pub & Grill
708 31st St., Evans, 970-330-3995
Breakfast, lunch dinner, closed Sunday
AMERICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Trans-fat-free truck stop food!
WHAT TO GET: Hush puppies and Cajun-battered fried cod.
WINDSOR
Caffé Victoria
1296-A Main St., Windsor, 970-686-5005
Breakfast, lunch daily
COFFEE/BAKERY, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Locally owned cheerful coffee shop with homemade baked goods, egg dishes, panini, soup and custom- brewed coffee.
WHAT TO GET: Caramel pecan sticky buns as big as your head.
Chimney Park Bistro – Chef Florian Wehrli often tweaks his menu, adding new combos of local ingredients. (Post / John Epperson)
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THE BIG DATE
Chimney Park Bistro
406 Main St., Windsor, 970-686-1477
Happy hour, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday- Friday, dinner six days, closed Monday
MODERN AMERICAN, $$-$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: One of the few fine-dining options in northern Colorado.
WHAT TO GET: Seared Spomer Ranch bison carpaccio appetizer – local bison marinated in garlic and thyme, Italian parsely and rosemary with shaved Grana Padano.
Okole Maluna
Hawaiian Grill
431 Main St., Windsor, 970-686-8844
Lunch daily, dinner Tuesday-Saturday, closed Monday
HAWAIIAN, $$-$$$
WHY WE LOVE IT: The darling owners, Juliet and Andrew Higa, take such care with their so-fresh food in the coolest space in Weld County.
WHAT TO GET: Furikake-crusted ahi tuna steak – sautéed sashimi-grade tuna dusted with panko bread crumbs and furikake (seaweed) seasoning, with creamy wasabi dressing.
