RARE Italian — Restaurant in Fort Collins

My partner and I decided to stop in at this place to give it a try as we are currently planning our wedding and rotating places that we are considering for catering. Now when we arrived we were greeted by a hostess as well as who I would assume is a FOH manager. The dining room was half empty, the bar had several tables open, and the bar top had a spot that could accommodate two. We requested the patio of which over half the tables were empty. We put our names down as we were told there was a half hour wait. We went to a shop close by to pass the time as we were not offered a cocktail table or the spots at the bar during our wait. We returned to the restaurant and when we walked in were told they were just about to txt us that our table was ready...and then we were asked if an inside table would be okay. Now after you make me wait for half an hour for a requested spot and you forget that I requested it, well lets just say that doesn’t look to great. Once sat we waited approximately 5-10 minutes to be greeted. Our server dropped menus and said he would return with water. Once dropping the water to us he ran off before we could order the wine we wanted. Upon finally returning we were able to order the wine and were ready to order the fig appetizer but were not given the chance. He brought the wine about 5 minutes later. We then ordered the figs and our entrees due to how long the process was taking. I ordered the porterhouse ($80+) and my partner ordered the risotto ($20+). The menu states that the risotto takes 30 minutes which is great to us because places that serve premade risotto do it no justice. Our server informed us that it could possibly take up to an hour. We were fine with this. Our food arrived about 45 minutes later. The risotto was amazing. Great flavors and very hot and fresh. That’s were the good came to a full stop. The steak was served lukewarm and the sides (potatoes and spinach) were as if they were taken directly from a cooler. The steak was ordered at medium rare. The tenderloin side was more of a medium to medium well and the strip side was on the medium rare to medium side. The sauce was also served cold. So at that point I pointed out that the sides were cold and the steak was warm. I was brought out hot potatoes....and that is all. I would have expected a manager to pass by to ensure that we were satisfied with the $80+ steak that was warm upon being served but we were not. Our bill was almost $200 for the two of us and given that we were both in the industry for years we always tip our server very well ($70 on this bill) because we know how it is as an employee needing to pay bills. That being said, I am sure that I could not recommended this place to anyone based on this experience. Don’t know that we will be giving it a second chance and it is definitely off the table as a wedding vendor. Edit: Have to give it a few extra stars due to the management responding. Will update...

My partner and I don't go out to eat often, but we headed to Old Town to get some food and play some pool. After ambling about some looking at a number of good restaurants, we settled on Rare Italian. I'd been there several years ago, and he'd never been. Admittedly, we don't eat a lot of Italian food, so it seemed like a good pick for us around 7:30 on a Friday evening.

To begin, we were grateful that outdoor seating was available. Inside, the restaurant seemed crowded and loud, and we were quite pleased that we only had to walk in to ask about sitting outside. We enjoyed a table on the outside corner of the seating area and had a good time people watching and conversing.

My partner had a couple of glasses of wine, I believe a sangiovese and something else. Our server was wonderful, made great recommendations and balanced brisk service with leaving us to our dining quite well. He ordered the surf n turf linguine, and I got the carbonara. Our dishes were at our table with breathtaking efficiency and we enjoyed some decent crusty bread with salted butter in the brief meantime. We pondered the lack of olive oil/balsamic instead of butter, but liked the butter just fine.

Our entrees were...unremarkable in any very positive way. Hence the 3 stars. They were okay but that was the problem...they were okay. Mediocrity was the name of the game for what we ordered. His dish came with unshelled clams, which seemed odd, but odder still was the random rosette of pepperoni he found as he navigated his dinner. Neither of us think that was supposed to be there. Maybe someone meant to grab sundried tomatoes on the line and accidentally added pepperoni instead. He ate it, but it seemed an unusual addition.

My dish arrived without fresh peas, with a pre-mixed egg, and with lardons of guanciale that ended up being more fatty than I expected. I LOVE carbonara, and I know it comes with quite fatty cured meat, but its preparation in this instance seemed unhelpful to the dish. The noodles were delicious, but the rest was pretty underwhelming. The portion sizes also seemed, to me, a tad bit on the small side, especially given the price of our dinner. My partner kindly -and unexpectedly- treated me, but still, the food was fairly mediocre for a restaurant that not only offers fine Italian dining, but occupies the busiest and most iconic part of Old Town Fort Collins. Rare has been around for a little while now, and the real estate in that area is pretty steep.

Maybe we should have gotten some steaks instead, but I don't think that choosing to order $30 pasta dishes instead of $50 filets mignon should end up being punitive. I DID get steak the last time I dined here, and it was very good, though not life-changing. Anyway, we probably won't go back, but our server was fantastic and I do...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at RARE Italian in Fort Collins, and I can confidently say that it was an exceptional culinary experience that deserves nothing less than a 5-star rating. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Let's start with the appetizers, particularly the shrimp bruschetta. The combination of plump, succulent shrimp perfectly seasoned and nestled atop crispy, golden-brown slices of artisanal bread was nothing short of divine. The freshness of the ingredients shone through, creating a burst of flavors with each bite.

Moving on to the main course, Polpette Tajarin (beef and pork meatballs, finely cut noodles, arrabbiata sauce, parmesan, and fried basil) took center stage and stole my heart. The meatballs were a testament to the chef's expertise, achieving that delicate balance of being tender yet maintaining a satisfying bite. Paired with the rich arrabbiata sauce, it created a harmony of spicy and savory notes that danced on my palate. The portion size was generous, ensuring that every bite was a journey into Italian culinary bliss.

What truly sets RARE Italian apart is the attention to detail in both presentation and flavor. The chef's commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients was evident in every dish, making the dining experience not just a meal but a celebration of the artistry of Italian cuisine.

The staff at RARE Italian deserves commendation as well. The service was impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff enhancing the overall dining experience. They were more than happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions about the menu, further showcasing the restaurant's commitment to customer satisfaction.

In addition to the outstanding food and service, the atmosphere at RARE Italian is perfect for a romantic date night, a family celebration, or any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance. The decor is tasteful, creating a sophisticated yet comfortable setting that complements the exquisite flavors of the dishes.

In conclusion, RARE Italian in Fort Collins is a gem that should not be missed by any food enthusiast. The shrimp bruschetta and meatball arrabiata are just a glimpse into the culinary excellence this restaurant has to offer. Prepare yourself for a gastronomic journey that transcends the ordinary – RARE Italian is a true culinary haven in...