Retreat Bakery Bar — Restaurant in Fort Collins

I was looking for a place to go and get my friend cheesecake. She called me about 15 minutes before I walked in and told me she had to put her dog down. I found this place and thought everything looked great, walked in the atmosphere was amazing. The treats looked super yummy, however the staff was extremely rude. They didn't say hi, they stood behind the counter whispering about me and my struggle to figure out where their menu was (I never found it) I finally just looked into the glass and found a few things I thought might be good and asked for them. I had to walk around the counter to get them to help me and even then they again whispered something to each other and one finally came to help. They didn't say more then what my final price was to me and I left. This was the rudest bakery I've been to and I've worked in some crappy bakeries in my time. I've been looking for a great spot to take my friend as we both just moved to NoCo, we both love deserts and a nice place to have a good conversation. However due to the staff I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. Which is sad because again the atmosphere and the setting...

This is my favorite place in the whole world. The pastries are fantastic and beautifully made. It's the finest flavors of the fanciest french bakery delivered in the comfortable, cool atmosphere of Colorado. I cannot recommend it enough. Editing for more details: My personal favorite is the fruit tarts, which are loaded with berries (they're not coated in sugar syrup either, which I appreciate). The shell is crisp and buttery like the best shortbread, and the vanilla custard is smooth and creamy but not cloying or oversweet. Not to say that the french silk or the chocolate caramel ones are any less, each of them is rich and perfect. The small ones or the regular size ones are a treat. I've also been guilty of just dropping in for a cookie or two to take home. They are crispy on the edges and soft in the middle, the best balance of both textures. I like the sprinkles sugar cookie because it is delightful but I also recommend the toolbox cookie if you enjoy a delicious melange of salty and sweet. I could go on for days but I will end with this. If you have never had an entremet before (I had not) YOU NEED TO GET ONE. It is a...

I love baking myself and am thinking of starting a little business here, so I went for the treats. I picked up some tiny banana tarts for my mom and tiny peanut butter chocolate tarts for both of us, a chocolate marshmallow layer cake piece and a delightful looking caramel tart. And Retreat did not disappoint; in fact, each of the treats was like a little retreat for us!! They all transported our senses and left us longing for more. In particular, the caramel tart was absolutely delightful. We split this delight and thank goodness because I think my taste buds would explode if I ate any more! Layers of melty shortbread, rich, intense chocolate and silky, perfect caramel totally made my night. The prices seem a bit exorbitant, but it was worth it. We stretched out our treats for 4 evenings and they gave us something to look forward to each night. Guess I will have to go get some more tomorrow...oh, no!!

I didn't stay to eat there, obviously, but I would like to. Soft lighting, dark woods and intimate seating make this the kind of place I'd like to sit for awhile, read, and consume many caramel tarts....