Originally founded in Idaho Springs Colorado, Beau Jo's has been an all-Colorado joint from the beginning. Their pizzas are based on Colorado's geography; with the Colorado mountain pies, the crust is supposed to resemble the Rocky Mountains, the toppings and center are to resemble the Front Range.
This place has tons of options to create exactly the pizza you want, there are health/allergy options including the choice of gluten-free ingredients.
My absolute favorite part of this place is the honey on the crust.. If you've never had it, you haven't lived. You eat up all your yummy pizza to the crust and then pull out the bottle of honey and pour some on your crust. Its a perfect combination of yeasty-salty dough and the sweet honey. Pricing is moderate, the atmosphere is very personable and fun, a great place to go to watch the big game on Sunday!
A review of the best restaurants and cafes in Old Town Fort Collins; discussing the best prices, dishes, and service all in one tasty blog!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Breakfast In Heaven
The Silver Grill is a must-go for breakfast on the weekends. It's definitely worth missing some sleep-in time for. They have aevery type of breakfast you could possibly want; from any form of eggs to satisfyingly sweet french toast to huge cinnimon rolls. If you've ever had a Johnson's Corner cinnamon roll... then be ready to have their cinnamon rolls blowns away by Silver Grill's. They are goey and warm and... well, heaven. It's a must-try for everyone.
Keep in mind that weekend mornings, especially Sunday are VERY busy. Its best to either go early or to call and reserve a table for your party. The pricing leans a little more on the expensive side but its worth it. The food's amazing and there's no better way to bond with your family than sitting down to a great breakfast!
Keep in mind that weekend mornings, especially Sunday are VERY busy. Its best to either go early or to call and reserve a table for your party. The pricing leans a little more on the expensive side but its worth it. The food's amazing and there's no better way to bond with your family than sitting down to a great breakfast!
Ahh Romance and Chocolate... What Could Be Better??
Having a hard time thinking of what to do for that date? We've all been there; we want to make it perfect and impress them, have fun, and do something where you can get to know each other better, right? Well dinner and a movie is WAY too over-done.. and just going out to eat doesn't allow for too much time to talk, and if there's nothing to talk about... it can be awkward. So, that being said, there's an adorable little getaway called the Chocolate Cafe. This cafe is the best idea I've ever heard; just desserts, coffees, hot chocolates and yumminess. It has been voted best dessert in Fort Collins, and for good reason!! It's located on the corner of College and Olive tucked away nicely but within walking distance from anywhere in Old Town.
My advice is to go to a show, either at the Aggie, Hodi's, or to the Lincoln Center. The shows usually start around 7 or 8 and will last until 9:30ish - and this my friends, is the perfect time to go to the Chocolate Cafe. The best time to go is at night. The atmoshpere is perfect; secluded, relaxed, and a great place to have a quite chat with someone. This time of year is perfect in Old Town because those beautiful lights are sprinkled about the trees, creating a magical feeling as you sit inside the cafein the candlelight. With the show, you get to laugh togther without forced conversation and then once the "first-date" awkwardness is gone you can go to the Chocolate Cafe and chat away!
Their menu isn't just chocolate goodies though, they also have the most amazing bread pudding I've ever had (and I've even had authentic English pudding in London) and a decadent white chocolate croissant, cheesecake, carrot cake, key lime pie... there's something for everyone!!
My advice is to go to a show, either at the Aggie, Hodi's, or to the Lincoln Center. The shows usually start around 7 or 8 and will last until 9:30ish - and this my friends, is the perfect time to go to the Chocolate Cafe. The best time to go is at night. The atmoshpere is perfect; secluded, relaxed, and a great place to have a quite chat with someone. This time of year is perfect in Old Town because those beautiful lights are sprinkled about the trees, creating a magical feeling as you sit inside the cafein the candlelight. With the show, you get to laugh togther without forced conversation and then once the "first-date" awkwardness is gone you can go to the Chocolate Cafe and chat away!
Their menu isn't just chocolate goodies though, they also have the most amazing bread pudding I've ever had (and I've even had authentic English pudding in London) and a decadent white chocolate croissant, cheesecake, carrot cake, key lime pie... there's something for everyone!!
Suehiro Fort Collins
With a location in Old Town off Linden Street with tea room seating and the Harmony location in the Front Range Shopping Center with a full sushi bar. After being to the other sushi locations in town, this one is by far my favorite. I've always had quick and pleasant servers, great environment, and every dish or roll that I've tried has been delicious. Their Miso soup and Japanese salad are always yummy and refreshing and come free with any order of sushi or sashimi.
My favorites to order at Suehiro are the Rock n' Roll (aka Philidelphia roll) with salmon, cream cheese, and avacado priced at 7.50 for six rolls, the Buddha Roll with tempura shrimp, cucumbers, cream cheese, and a spicy sauce for 7.50 as well. The Buddha is a must try for those who want a little spice!! It's not overly spicy, but just right will a great flavor. I recommend the Rock n' Roll for first-timers; the salmon is delicious with the cream cheese, and it's a really mild flavor so it's a good place to start! If you like crab you can always go with the original and most famous suhsi roll; the California Roll. This roll has crab, cucumber, and avocado at a more slight price of 5.50. The prices of the rolls depend on the price of the meat it contains; however, rolls range from 4.75 to 11.50, the 11.50 containing king crab. There are cheaper places for sushi in Fort Collins; however, if you want the best I would go with Suehiro. I've tried the same rolls at other places and everytime Suehiro does it better.
My favorites to order at Suehiro are the Rock n' Roll (aka Philidelphia roll) with salmon, cream cheese, and avacado priced at 7.50 for six rolls, the Buddha Roll with tempura shrimp, cucumbers, cream cheese, and a spicy sauce for 7.50 as well. The Buddha is a must try for those who want a little spice!! It's not overly spicy, but just right will a great flavor. I recommend the Rock n' Roll for first-timers; the salmon is delicious with the cream cheese, and it's a really mild flavor so it's a good place to start! If you like crab you can always go with the original and most famous suhsi roll; the California Roll. This roll has crab, cucumber, and avocado at a more slight price of 5.50. The prices of the rolls depend on the price of the meat it contains; however, rolls range from 4.75 to 11.50, the 11.50 containing king crab. There are cheaper places for sushi in Fort Collins; however, if you want the best I would go with Suehiro. I've tried the same rolls at other places and everytime Suehiro does it better.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Must-Knows for Sushi Etiquitte
If you've never had sushi before, never fear, I have a quick couple tips to prepare you for sushi with the best of 'em. So, if its your first time having sushi and you're not sure what you'll like, I suggest sitting at the sushi bar. You can converse with the chef on what he suggests you try (they might even give you a couple bites on the house!) and that way you can more easily find what you're going to like best.
Also keep in mind, while sitting at the sushi bar, do not ask the sushi chefs for refills on drinks or anything else; it is disrespectful. The sushi chef is a master on sushi only and that is the only thing he handles in the restaurant.
If you choose you can order soups, seaweed salad, or a number of other traditional appetizers. I suggest starting with a miso soup. Its delightfully salty with tofu and vegatables. Traditionally, you are supposed to eat the solid pieces of the soup with the chopsticks and then sip the broth. After appetizers, your sushi will come out rather quickly.
If its your first time ordering sushi, go with a sashimi first and add a couple rolls that you think sound good. The sashimi is plain raw fish and is a great start to the main course. All rolls have a varying amount of spice; some have sauces added to give them a little kick and some just have spicy ingredients. Either way, the menu will tell you what rolls are spicey and which aren't so choose according to your personal palette.
Also keep in mind, while sitting at the sushi bar, do not ask the sushi chefs for refills on drinks or anything else; it is disrespectful. The sushi chef is a master on sushi only and that is the only thing he handles in the restaurant.
If you choose you can order soups, seaweed salad, or a number of other traditional appetizers. I suggest starting with a miso soup. Its delightfully salty with tofu and vegatables. Traditionally, you are supposed to eat the solid pieces of the soup with the chopsticks and then sip the broth. After appetizers, your sushi will come out rather quickly.
If its your first time ordering sushi, go with a sashimi first and add a couple rolls that you think sound good. The sashimi is plain raw fish and is a great start to the main course. All rolls have a varying amount of spice; some have sauces added to give them a little kick and some just have spicy ingredients. Either way, the menu will tell you what rolls are spicey and which aren't so choose according to your personal palette.
SushiSashimi....whaaaaat??
So some people who have never tried sushi are pretty clueless about what it actually is. I have heard tons of people say, "Oh i'll never try sushi it sounds so gross." Similar to most westerners, when they hear sushi they think raw fish; however, its more than that. Sushi is the Japanese word used to describe a roll with fish, rice, and a number of other things varying on what you want in it; whereas, sashimi is the Japanese word for raw fish. You can order a number of different sushi rolls and sashimi selections depending on what you like.
Also, a note for newbies, sushi is always served with wasabi and ginger. Both of which have a spicy/unusual taste that some, including me, are not partial to. Wasabi is almost unbearably hot and should only be eaten in SMALL amounts unless you're tragically brave. As for the ginger, it is not so much spicy as extremely bold. Of course its always fun to take someone out to their first time with sushi and tell them, "Yeahh that green stuff (wasabi) is amazing, you should definitely just shove it all in your mouth!" It's amazing how gullible people can be, but its equally hilarious seeing their face after their mouth starts on fire.
Also, a note for newbies, sushi is always served with wasabi and ginger. Both of which have a spicy/unusual taste that some, including me, are not partial to. Wasabi is almost unbearably hot and should only be eaten in SMALL amounts unless you're tragically brave. As for the ginger, it is not so much spicy as extremely bold. Of course its always fun to take someone out to their first time with sushi and tell them, "Yeahh that green stuff (wasabi) is amazing, you should definitely just shove it all in your mouth!" It's amazing how gullible people can be, but its equally hilarious seeing their face after their mouth starts on fire.
A little taste of Japan? I think yes.
We are fortunate in Fort Collins to have some great places to experience sushi. Of the restaurants/sushi bars in Old Town; we have the choice of either Suehiro or Jeju. Both restaurants have excellent choices of sushi, sashimi, and other dinner combinations as well. In my next couple of posts, I will go over my lists of pros and cons of each place, what dishes you should definitely try on the menu and what to expect if you've never had sushi before. I'll let you know which place is the best to go if its your first time (sushi virgin!) and what you should order. Stay Tuned!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tres Out of Tres Stars for Tres Margaritas
My second favorite in Mexican food, Tres Margaritas, is way up there on my list because of the outstanding service. Similar to Pueblo Viejo, it is family owned and the plates are authentic to Mexico. Everytime that I have been there, which is about 25+ times, the owner is there making sure that the customers are completely satisfied. All employees have a pleasant demanor, and not once have a sat with an empty glass. The salsa is a close second to Pueblo Viejo's. My absolute favorite thing about this place are the chimichangas... I cannot explain the incredible crunchy and deep-fried goodness of this yummy platter. No matter what you order here, you always get quite a lot of food, and for the price, it's a great deal! The prices at Tres Margaritas beat Pueblo Viejo by a couple dollars on every dish. It is located a little furthur South down college and there is always parking. (Also a plus above Pueblo Viejo, and we all know how horrible it is to find a place to park in Old Town.)
Also, it's hard to save room for dessert when you have a huge plate of yummy food in front of you, but you must try the fried ice cream and the sopapillas with honey. Both are a heavenly thing to experience.
Also, it's hard to save room for dessert when you have a huge plate of yummy food in front of you, but you must try the fried ice cream and the sopapillas with honey. Both are a heavenly thing to experience.
Old Town = Pueblo Viejo
Pueblo Viejo is a family owned and run business. The service is always excellent; the servers are sincere and never without a smile. They bring out chips and salsa first. Their salsa is by far the best I have tasted at any restaurant; it's the perfect balance of spicy and sweet, and the homemade chips compliment it perfectly. The food always is made and brought to us quickly but it tastes as though someone had spent an hour perfecting the dish. All of their recipes are authentic and traditional to Mexico. Prices range from eight to twelve per person including drinks. I recommend that you try something new every time you go in order to experience them all and possibly find new favorites. And EVERYTHING on the menu is good, so go for it!
For newcomers and those not familiar with Mexican dishes, I recommend the crunchy chili rellanos, any of the enchiladas and the chalupa. These are my absolute favorites, and nothing too spicy.
The location for Pueblo Viejo is prime; in walking distance of the most frequented attractions in Old Town, a perfect place for a date. After dinner you can take a stroll down the beautiful and historic streets, its especially nice this time of year to get out and see the beautiful lights put up for the holidays!
For newcomers and those not familiar with Mexican dishes, I recommend the crunchy chili rellanos, any of the enchiladas and the chalupa. These are my absolute favorites, and nothing too spicy.
The location for Pueblo Viejo is prime; in walking distance of the most frequented attractions in Old Town, a perfect place for a date. After dinner you can take a stroll down the beautiful and historic streets, its especially nice this time of year to get out and see the beautiful lights put up for the holidays!
Facing the Heat
Let's say that today you're craving some Mexican food. In Fort Collins alone, there are 43 different places you can go to satisy your want for a little spice. FORTY THREE!!! That's including Taco Bells, Qbodas and all of their locations, but still... that's a little overwhelming. So, how do we even begin to choose which place to go? Well that's where I come in. I only have two places in Fort Collins that I go for Mexican food and this is for one reason; they are quite simply the best of the city. For me, authenticity when it comes to food is key; food is culture is it not? The two most authentic places that I have found are Peublo Viejo, and Tres Margaritas.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Choices, choices, choices...
Have you ever been dying for something to eat, but no one can EVER decide where they want to go? Well, it seems like it takes more effort for my family to decide where were going for dinner that night than it would to just stay at home and cook. However, by some miracle, we've actually made it to a good majority of the restaurants in Fort Collins. So we know by now what's good and what isn't, what restaurants have the best this or that; you get the idea. Yet, it still takes us the longest time to make any decisions.. and I'm sure that we're not the only family like that in Fort Collins. That's why I'm writing this blog! I will review the best restaurants in Fort Collins; focusing on the area of Old Town. Having a hard time figuring out which Mexican place to go to? Or which restaurant has the best prices? Well, I'm your go-to girl for munching away in Old Town!
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