One of the necessary staples of the holiday season is the consumption of food and drinks. We gather around food to celebrate several occasions throughout the year, but the meals seem to be larger and higher in frequency once the temperature drops. To make sure you capitalize on the abundance of holiday dishes available in Fort Collins this time of year, we did some menu digging and discovered a handful of heart-warming dishes. And naturally, these plates won’t be available for long, so don’t procrastinate in your pursuit of holiday flavors!
Wheatberries and Roasted Squash
The Kitchen | 100 North College Avenue
The name Wheatberries and Roasted Squash just sounds like it belongs in this season, right? We think so, too. That’s why it’s the plate served at our next stop during our tour of all things holiday dish related in Fort Collins. The Kitchen emphasizes “community through food”, and they do both parts so well.
While The Kitchen has been a well-established and highly regarded restaurant for several years, it graced our presence in Old Town in June 2014. And we are so glad it did, especially since this particularly dish is on the table. It is dripping in flavor, and is sure to bring you back to momma’s home cooking while still in the heart of a city.
Their Wheatberries and Roasted Squash includes wheatberries and roasted squash (of course) along with red onion, brunoise, cumin and cooked chickpeas. All of this goodness is topped with lemon juice and garnished with fresh fresno, cilantro, julienne red onion, cumin yogurt and olive oil. As mentioned, it will leave your Thanksgiving cravings satisfied, but will also prepare your palette for winter flavors.
The dish’s presentation blows us away, but the wild and rich flavors push things over the edge.
Cream of Butternut Squash & Adobo Pork and Tomato Penne
Blue Agave Grill | 201 South College Avenue Suite 100
Head over to Blue Agave Grill in the heart of Fort Collins for guacamole made-to-order, house-infused tequilas, house-made sangria, and 13 different kinds of margaritas. Not to mention, they have a sophisticated menu that is primarily gluten-free. This contemporary southwestern grill hosts a fire-pit patio with five fire pit tables and deep cushion seating, and has a beautiful atmosphere throughout the space as a whole. But this time of year, we are particularly excited about Blue Agave Grill’s seasonal dishes that emit warmth, comfort and of course — flavor.
Their Cream of Butternut Squash dish includes sweet ancho chili drizzle, seasonal micro-beans and is sweetened with agave nectar (how appropriate for the restaurant’s name!). We also have our eye on their Adobo Pork and Tomato Penne, which is filled with oven-braised pork, sautéed vegetables, red wine-tomato sauce and queso fresco.
Smoked Turkey Hash & Eggs
Silver Grill Cafe | 218 Walnut Street
There’s no reason to wait to devour turkey until Thanksgiving Day. Silver Grill Cafe is providing a unique representation of turkey during the time of year we crave it most. Their Smoked Turkey Hash & Eggs dish was extremely well-loved last season, so they’re bringing it back by popular demand! It includes smoked turkey, bacon, apples, caramelized leeks, roasted Brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, cranberries, water chestnuts and crispy potatoes topped with 2 eggs any style, toast and a ladle-full of sausage gravy.
Are you convinced yet? Let the photo do the trick.
Plain and simple, the Silver Grill is a regional icon. It has been for 82 years. Guests are swept back in time by weathered wood floors, time-worn brick walls, diner-style seating and enormous turn-of-the-century windows that proudly showcase Old Town. The ever-present sound of clanking dishes, heaping breakfast and lunch creations, along with its signature Famous Giant Cinnamon Rolls, all combine to lend an old-style atmosphere that draws customers repeatedly back to The Grill.
Make the Silver Grill your next family lunch stop during the holidays.
The Holiday “Cold Sweat” Cocktail
Social | 1 Old Town Square #7
Maybe after all of this holiday hype you’ll find yourself needing to unwind with a delicious festive drink. Thankfully, we know exactly where you might find such a thing.
Head to Old Town Square and find the old-fashioned street clock next to a staircase with blue lights leading down to Social, a locally owned underground cocktail bar. (You may remember them from our list of best places to get craft cocktails in Fort Collins)
Take shelter from the cold streets and walk down the stairs to immerse yourself in their cozy space with modern and industrial decor. Whatever you do, be sure to order the Cold Sweat, a wintery drink available for a limited time. And don’t let the name deter you from ordering it; it is sure to warm your insides while you enjoy the fun and inviting atmosphere Social has to offer. This concoction consists of Suerte Reposado Tequila, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Kopke 10-year Tawny Port, brown sugar syrup and pistachio extract.
But wait. It gets even better! The Cold Sweat is served with spicy candied almonds, which are coated in paprika, red pepper, salt, pepper and honey, and baked to perfection.
This holiday duo is reason enough to visit Social, but once you’re there, we’re sure you’ll find other reasons to stick around. Their menu is stocked with an abundance of drinks to indulge in, and early birds will be rewarded with their daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m., along with other specials throughout the week.
A Variety of Holiday Teas
Happy Lucky’s Teahouse and Treasures | 236 Walnut Street
You might wind down your chilly day with the comfort of a hot cup of holiday tea from Happy Lucky’s Teahouse and Treasures. Their cozy, seasonal loose-leaf teas are the perfect contrast to a cold winter evening. Choose from Harvest Moon, Apple Cinnamon Spice, American Roots, Cinnamon Spice Black Tea, Peppermint Pat-Tea, and Rooibos Cinnamon & Orange Spice. Because Happy Lucky’s specializes in tea, you’re sure to enjoy the highest quality of flavor with each sip. With their extensive list of teas to peruse, either by type or by origin, we know you’ll find the one that suits your palette.
Overall, Happy Lucky’s is a wonderful destination to enjoy a holiday tea alongside your significant other, family member or friend during the colder months. Their mission is “to awaken good feelings — through community, connection and the experience of great tea.” They emphasize community in their business model, which beautifully transfers to the four walls of their shop. As they wholeheartedly believe, tea truly brings people together.
Kill two birds with one stone by doing some holiday shopping while you’re sipping tea at Happy Lucky’s! They have some beautiful teaware and accessories for sale that the tea connoisseur in your life will adore.
We know there’s more out there!
What’s your favorite Fort Collins holiday dish? What’s your favorite festive recipe to whip up at home? Let us know what we’re missing out on!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Happy Lucky’s Teahouse and Treasures, Silver Grill Cafe, The Kitchen and Social
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