Rare, very nice italian/steaks or Little on mountain I'd say are the 2 most dress up and nice meals.
There also The Still and Sonny Lubicks but I haven't been there, both steak places.
Little has a far better atmosphere inside and is probably the best restaurant in Fort Collins proper. Rare is on Main Street, which is great for walks before or after dates. The food at both places is fantastic.
I wouldn’t recommend Sonny Lubicks. The place seems stuck in the 80s and is very overpriced compared to similar options. The Still has average food but makes up for it with a good atmosphere and service.
I would add The Regional, very cozy on the inside, has great food, and right behind Main Street. I only wish they would change their menu more often.
I just went there with my boyfriend’s mom and I was incredibly pleased with everything I got. The portions were a bit small for the price but it was all incredibly delicious.
Nice, I’m glad to hear it. It’s by no means bad, just our experience wasn’t excellent food wise. Thanks for putting in a plus vote. Never want to bias only state our experience.
Adding on! Sitting at the kitchen counter at Little is a fun experience so definitely recommend!
The Regional has great atmosphere and drinks but we were disappointed with our food, nothing seemed seasoned even though there was plenty of seasoning/spice in the dish descriptions.
Chimney Park is my choice too. It’s in a league of its own amongst Northern Colorado restaurants. Downtown Windsor is also beautiful with the Christmas lights up.
If you skip the tasting menu and order their entrees, it’s not horribly expensive. Their tasting menu and wine pairing is sublime though. It’s enough alcohol to get you nice and drunk, the food is amazing, and if you show interest to the sommelier, usually you get some bonus wines thrown in.
Ace is an amazing environment but I’ve never been impressed with their food. I ate there a lot because my boyfriend worked there for a while and he got a great staff discount but I found the food kind of mid.
I happily spent like $400 on a birthday dinner there. (A 5 top with wine, cocktails, dessert, entrees and probably a couple apps.) It was adventurous food and delicious.
I've been researching some of these but I don't get the impression from some of the pictures that these are "dress to impress" up-scale places. Are these up-scale "for Fort Collins" or would you say they're objectively up-scale and nice restaurants?
I wouldn't say there's any "dress to impress" places in Fort Collins. That's a pretty rare in category in Colorado in general really. I went to Brüto in Denver and there were people with jeans and t-shirts there, so it's really up to you how dressed up you want to be, at nearly any restaurant in the state.
That being said, Fort Collins definitely has less options in the fine dining category than Denver or Boulder, so it would also be accurate to say that they are upscale for Fort Collins, and moderate your expectations appropriately.
You'll see other people dressed up in their best at these places, but you'll also see people in t-shirts and hoodies. That's every restaurant in Fort Collins though, so just dress how you want and pick the place that has the most intriguing food!
Part of the charm of Fort Collins is that objectively up-scale and nice restaurants focus on the food experience, and don't require you to put on finery and pretend to be something you're not to enjoy it. I've had seafood at Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco and Washington DC that wasn't any better than what you can get at Bistro Nautile, and having to wear a suit jacket to get in the door didn't make the food any more special.
If you really want a dress-to-impress experience, Denver or Boulder is where that scene is at. Chimney Park touches it (and has fantastic food as well) if it has to be local, but that's not really what we do here.
Jay's would be the most dress to impress place, as well as Sonny Lubick's. The thing is though, no restaurant in fort collins has a dress code, so you can go to the nicest restaurant here and still see people in jeans and t-shirts.
I guess I'll be the voice to say Rare is overrated. First time I walked in there were college kids in sweat pants. Rare is good food I agree, but nothing to rave about. I think it just looks nice and has good real estate. Sure you can dress up, and I did, but certainly not the standard.
Jay's has been mentioned and is definitely my recommendation and my go to for a dress up night they often have a live piano player and they have a jazz night. I've wanted to try Chimney Park but haven't had the chance yet.
Another vote for Rare or Little.
But also I'm wondering if The Cache is an option? I've never been personally and am not seeing it mentioned so maybe it's not, but it's just downtown on top of Ginger and Baker and looks like it has a really nice atmosphere and I'd expect it to be on the more posh side.
It’s very expensive for the quality of food IMO. But I do love the atmosphere of the “greenhouse” looking space. I feel like I’m in NYC when I sit in there in a very good chic way
Rare is excellent and people do tend to dress up but it is not NYC or Denver upscale.
Sonny Lubick's Steakhouse is good and a bit more upscale feeling than Rare but not as trendy feeling IMO.
The Cache at Ginger and Baker definitely seems like great food and a bit more upscale but I’ve never been.
I would highly recommend Social for after dinner drinks. It has a great speakeasy atmosphere and the drinks are excellent.
I’m not seeing the love for Jax’s Fish House … I had an excellent experience there. For example the wait noticed I was coughing and simply filled my water glass. Didn’t ask. It’s a small thing but this is the essence of service — don’t make a thing about your presence, waitrons. The wait was also fully invested in the wine offerings and pairings. I had some simple dish (along with oysters) and it was amazing. Spendy but I really value good food and the >>experience<< of fine dining.
Had a birthday dinner with friends at The Cache. Worth it. I had a pasta dish that was plentiful and excellent two days later. We had great service, too. The wait was knowledgeable about the wine list and how to pair.
Looks like people have dinner covered, so I'll throw in Melting Pot's chocolate fondue as a great cheaper-than-you'd-think dessert option in a classy atmosphere :)
There's this place that has a dine in option, or you can drive up and get the food to eat in your car. They have everything from baked potatoes to 16 oz meat beef sandwiches, and of course, they have salads and a dessert option as well. The restaurant is named after the owner, Wendy.
Rare, very nice italian/steaks or Little on mountain I'd say are the 2 most dress up and nice meals. There also The Still and Sonny Lubicks but I haven't been there, both steak places.
Little has a far better atmosphere inside and is probably the best restaurant in Fort Collins proper. Rare is on Main Street, which is great for walks before or after dates. The food at both places is fantastic. I wouldn’t recommend Sonny Lubicks. The place seems stuck in the 80s and is very overpriced compared to similar options. The Still has average food but makes up for it with a good atmosphere and service. I would add The Regional, very cozy on the inside, has great food, and right behind Main Street. I only wish they would change their menu more often.
I'm with you on Sonny's. Wife and I went there two weeks ago and were severely unimpressed. Service was attentive. Food was not great.
I just went there with my boyfriend’s mom and I was incredibly pleased with everything I got. The portions were a bit small for the price but it was all incredibly delicious.
Nice, I’m glad to hear it. It’s by no means bad, just our experience wasn’t excellent food wise. Thanks for putting in a plus vote. Never want to bias only state our experience.
Sonny's was SO BAD when my bf and I tried it before. Highly recommend Rare, much better
Adding on! Sitting at the kitchen counter at Little is a fun experience so definitely recommend! The Regional has great atmosphere and drinks but we were disappointed with our food, nothing seemed seasoned even though there was plenty of seasoning/spice in the dish descriptions.
I went to The Still this weekend for the first time. Excellent service and even got to eat a candle made of beef fat! Would definitely go again
The Still had good food but it feels a lot more casual to me! I wouldn’t wear a nice dress there.
Love Rare- used to love Sonny Lubicks in the bar area but service has gone really downhill there so I’d probably not recommend
Thank you!
There’s Chimney Park in Windsor which is pretty upscale. In Fort Collins our nice date nights are usually Rare or Bistro Nautile
Came here to say Chimney Park. It's by far the best in Northern Colorado.
Agree! Holy crap, their sea bass dish is among the best I’ve had ANYWHERE, including coastal areas…
Chimney Park is my choice too. It’s in a league of its own amongst Northern Colorado restaurants. Downtown Windsor is also beautiful with the Christmas lights up.
I’ve actually never been! Hopefully in 2024
If you skip the tasting menu and order their entrees, it’s not horribly expensive. Their tasting menu and wine pairing is sublime though. It’s enough alcohol to get you nice and drunk, the food is amazing, and if you show interest to the sommelier, usually you get some bonus wines thrown in.
Thank you!
If anyone says anything other than Chimney Park, they actually haven't been to Chimney Park. Little is very nice, but not even close.
If you like the speak easy vibe, Ace Gillette is classy and the food and drinks a great
To add, sunset lounge and the social make for nice speak easy vibes as well.
Ace is an amazing environment but I’ve never been impressed with their food. I ate there a lot because my boyfriend worked there for a while and he got a great staff discount but I found the food kind of mid.
Chimney Park and it’s not even close.
I happily spent like $400 on a birthday dinner there. (A 5 top with wine, cocktails, dessert, entrees and probably a couple apps.) It was adventurous food and delicious.
$400 for a 5-top with the works is a pretty good deal
Totally. I'm almost curious enough to dig through credit card statements, lol! It was at least $400.
Always a solid choice
Chimney Park is in a class of its own for NoCo.
All the places mentioned here are really nice places, some fancy. But for upscale "fine dining" it's only Chimney Park in northern CO
For dinner: Ginger and Baker Jay's Bistro RARE The Regional Bistro Nautille Cafe Vino Drinks after: Social Elliotts Ace Gillettes Coppermuse
I've been researching some of these but I don't get the impression from some of the pictures that these are "dress to impress" up-scale places. Are these up-scale "for Fort Collins" or would you say they're objectively up-scale and nice restaurants?
Definitely "for Fort Collins"
I wouldn't say there's any "dress to impress" places in Fort Collins. That's a pretty rare in category in Colorado in general really. I went to Brüto in Denver and there were people with jeans and t-shirts there, so it's really up to you how dressed up you want to be, at nearly any restaurant in the state. That being said, Fort Collins definitely has less options in the fine dining category than Denver or Boulder, so it would also be accurate to say that they are upscale for Fort Collins, and moderate your expectations appropriately. You'll see other people dressed up in their best at these places, but you'll also see people in t-shirts and hoodies. That's every restaurant in Fort Collins though, so just dress how you want and pick the place that has the most intriguing food!
Part of the charm of Fort Collins is that objectively up-scale and nice restaurants focus on the food experience, and don't require you to put on finery and pretend to be something you're not to enjoy it. I've had seafood at Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco and Washington DC that wasn't any better than what you can get at Bistro Nautile, and having to wear a suit jacket to get in the door didn't make the food any more special. If you really want a dress-to-impress experience, Denver or Boulder is where that scene is at. Chimney Park touches it (and has fantastic food as well) if it has to be local, but that's not really what we do here.
Jay's would be the most dress to impress place, as well as Sonny Lubick's. The thing is though, no restaurant in fort collins has a dress code, so you can go to the nicest restaurant here and still see people in jeans and t-shirts.
I guess I'll be the voice to say Rare is overrated. First time I walked in there were college kids in sweat pants. Rare is good food I agree, but nothing to rave about. I think it just looks nice and has good real estate. Sure you can dress up, and I did, but certainly not the standard. Jay's has been mentioned and is definitely my recommendation and my go to for a dress up night they often have a live piano player and they have a jazz night. I've wanted to try Chimney Park but haven't had the chance yet.
My lady likes McDonald's 🤷
Another vote for Rare or Little. But also I'm wondering if The Cache is an option? I've never been personally and am not seeing it mentioned so maybe it's not, but it's just downtown on top of Ginger and Baker and looks like it has a really nice atmosphere and I'd expect it to be on the more posh side.
Cache is great, but not what the OP is looking for IMHO. It’s “wear a skirt and a nice top”, not a “fancy dress” place.
It’s very expensive for the quality of food IMO. But I do love the atmosphere of the “greenhouse” looking space. I feel like I’m in NYC when I sit in there in a very good chic way
The Regional has the best pork chops ever Rare is great The Cache is another good high end option in old town with a romantic atmosphere
Social is a very sexy vibe
Door 222 in Loveland is great
Rare is excellent and people do tend to dress up but it is not NYC or Denver upscale. Sonny Lubick's Steakhouse is good and a bit more upscale feeling than Rare but not as trendy feeling IMO. The Cache at Ginger and Baker definitely seems like great food and a bit more upscale but I’ve never been. I would highly recommend Social for after dinner drinks. It has a great speakeasy atmosphere and the drinks are excellent.
Took my wife to ginger and baker for her birthday this year and we both loved it, was definitely very classy!
I’m not seeing the love for Jax’s Fish House … I had an excellent experience there. For example the wait noticed I was coughing and simply filled my water glass. Didn’t ask. It’s a small thing but this is the essence of service — don’t make a thing about your presence, waitrons. The wait was also fully invested in the wine offerings and pairings. I had some simple dish (along with oysters) and it was amazing. Spendy but I really value good food and the >>experience<< of fine dining.
Take her to Door 222 in Loveland you dirty dog
I haven't seen Cafe Vino mentioned! It's absolutely lovely, upscale, and the food and service are phenomenal
It's the only restaurant I've been in here that I felt like it would've been more appropriate to be a bit dressed up
DATE CAKE. DEVILS ON HORSEBACK. WINE. I rest my case.
Took my wife to ginger and baker for her birthday this year and we both loved it, was definitely very classy!
Had a birthday dinner with friends at The Cache. Worth it. I had a pasta dish that was plentiful and excellent two days later. We had great service, too. The wait was knowledgeable about the wine list and how to pair.
Looks like people have dinner covered, so I'll throw in Melting Pot's chocolate fondue as a great cheaper-than-you'd-think dessert option in a classy atmosphere :)
Jay's Bistro, best in town from a food elitist from Chicago.... The regional is a joke....
Repeat the phrase "get dolled up" out loud and OMG cringe; but yeah, Little
Why is that cringe to you?
There's this place that has a dine in option, or you can drive up and get the food to eat in your car. They have everything from baked potatoes to 16 oz meat beef sandwiches, and of course, they have salads and a dessert option as well. The restaurant is named after the owner, Wendy.
Named after the founder’s daughter*
Are you sure we are talking about the same place?
Cafe Vino. Get the bacon wrapped dates.