The Fort — Restaurant in Four Corners States

We decided to take our friends here to celebrate their engagement. I’d never been here, let alone heard of this place in my 25+ years in Denver but everyone I’ve told about my experience seems to have!

We were definitely overdressed when we arrived as I was under the impression that we were going to a fancy steakhouse, which most certainly wasn’t the case with the stockades out front, staff wearing half historical uniform/costumes, violinist walking adding playing pleasant music, magician walking around doing cars tricks at different tables, and people putting on oversized Viking helmets for birthday photos.

Thankfully there was no birthday chant song, otherwise I would have been 100% embarrassed about my selection. This was only about 15% more than I actually was, but I realize this is entirely my fault. I looked up nice steakhouses and figured for the $$$ signs that I’d better make an effort when getting ready for dinner.

Sorry, on to the actual review of the food and staff. To start, the staff did a great job welcoming us, set us up a a very nice table, and got our drinks ordered right away. They were extremely attentive throughout the entire evening!

Even though I mentioned all the other things going on around us, there was still a very quiet and pleasant atmosphere. I don’t think I’d really bring young children here like Casa Bonita but I don’t think they’d be out of place at all.

Our food and drinks were delicious! There’s definitely a vibe of being served just like you would have been in the 1850’s with the presentation but everything was cooked perfectly and tasted great. Everyone went with a different steak and we all enjoyed them. All of the sides from the mashed red potatoes to mac and cheese really hit the spot. I will say there was a ton of butter on everything so be prepared but then again, that’s why everything tastes so good! The crème brûlée was very good for dessert as well. We had to share between the four of us after the huge portions and we didn’t even get an appetizer to share.

On to the last thing everyone seems to be checking these days, the price. Okay, let me remind you we were celebrating an engagement and only had two drinks each and nothing top shelf or bottles of expensive wine. Expect to spend $110-30 per person! If this price seems outrageous, believe me I was thinking the same thing. Then to toss a little salt in the wound they give each couple a $25 gift card if you come back and buy an entree. I guess the real estate at this location is extremely valuable so they can charge so much more. For the food, service, atmosphere, which I’ve been told during the summer is amazing to sit outside/near the windows to overlook Denver, raining on the night we arrived, I’d much rather go to someplace like Guard and Grace, Elwsys, Steakhouse 10, Simms Steakhouse, or even Del Friscos for the same price.

I think if you know what you’re getting in to before you arrive you’ll have a great time and not give it a second thought. I on the other hand must not have done a very good job researching The Fort and felt out of place and sticker shocked when composing the menu pricing to the rustic atmosphere.

Overall everything was fantastic! I just have to be a little more dressed down next time and know that I’m going more for the views and atmosphere than a fine...

A unique restaurant. Very scenic and rustic. Interesting menu that may not appeal to everyone. Very Pricey in my opinion. Since when is the average entree $50 and over?

Waiter hands you a drink and appetizer menu and assumes you’ll order so we fell into the sales trap and got the cheapest appetizer. The chorizo bean dip was delicious but I don’t like the assumption that Im ordering an appetizer. I get full as it is.

Non alcoholic drinks were $7. The waiters are kind and ask you when you’re ready for your next serving which is appreciated. As with many upscale restaurants you don’t get much food on the plate. Fine for me but my husband is never happy with that.

Another thing to beware of if ambiance is your thing as with me. We got seated in the front room which was void of ambiance. It had an antiseptic feel like a plain hallway. Not the worst but I was pissed when we explored the rest of the restaurant after we were done. The back room would have wowed me, perhaps taking the edge off some of my griping. Cabin like feel, a fireplace as it was winter time, rustic pieces on the wall! Why did we get seated in a long, boring room if we’re paying so much for the experience? I’ve included a pic of both rooms.

It was my husband’s birthday which on the phone they said they’d write down and give him a free desert. The surprise was ruined when I was forced to remind the waiter right in front of my husband.

We are on one salary but I wanted to treat my husband for his bday so I brought a Visa gift card to help pay for this hefty bill. Beware of CC gift cards. These cards add 20% assuming a tip so most places that accept tips such as restaurants, salons, hotels and gas will reject them.

I hate surprises like that and the duress of paying the total amount with what little savings I have in the bank. I did some research when I got home. The waiter should be able to circumvent the problem by putting in a lesser amount knowing you will make up the difference in cash or another credit card.

For instance, I planned on splitting the bill between my $50 gift card and make up the rest but since I put in $50, it didn’t accept it due to the gift card’s 20% tip tolerance. Btw, don’t assume I’m tipping either. I’m beginning to hate the concept of tipping because it’s supposed to be based on performance not mandatory. This isn’t specific to The Fort but the assumption is not appreciated.

Anyhow, the gift card says that the waiter can circumvent the tip tolerance by putting in $40 for example instead of $50 knowing I’d make up the balance. I have yet to meet a waiter anywhere that knows how to do this. The result ..a surprise bill so I can get incredibly uptight about the payment which ruined my night..

Again, why are the entrees so expensive? I’ve dined in Manhattan many times with top chefs and didn’t see these kinds of prices for entrees. Denver has become so expensive, they sack you wherever you go and kill you with kindness at the same time. Smiles won’t trick this NYer transplant. I’m not blind. I can see the bill.

Overall, a nice and unique experience, very scenic but you better be prepared to pay lots of money. For me, too pricey. One time was enough to cure...

The food here is atrocious. I don't like writing reviews like this but I feel obligated. I'm just mad at how bad this place is and somehow have amazing reviews. First of all I'm going to start with what was good. The lady that was serving us was great! The bread was good and the place is unique. That's where it stops.

The rest of the food was horrible and for the price it should be a crime. You can get better food for less than $20 a plate elsewhere. First out was the bison empanadas. Tasted like taco meat and the empanadas weren't even cooked all the way. The bottom was still raw dough. I watched my wife's bite be stringy. Second was the jalapeno poppers. Tasted ok but not great and not even cooked right. Also a complete ripoff for 5 tiny jalapenos halves.

Next was the salads. Wife got the house salad with ranch. It came out with pickled ginger. Can you imagine what ranch and pickled ginger taste like? Gross. I got the ceaser and their dressing wasn't good. The whole thing just tasted like anchovies. I'm still burping it laying in bed.

I ordered the bison ribs and hands down the worst ribs I've literally ever had. I got them with the BBQ sauce on the side and I'm glad I did. I'll get back to the BBQ sauce in a minute. The ribs were dried out, overcooked, and bland. I don't think they even put salt or anything on them. They are totally cooked in an oven. No smoker or a finish on the grill. Cooking ribs like this is sad. The BBQ sauce was the worst BBQ sauce I've ever had. Tasted like Jack Daniel's, Robitussin, and corn syrup mixed together. I had my wife try and instantly puckered up.

My wife got the bison ribeye which I'm not even sure was a bison but whatever. The steak tasted horrible. Way too much cumin in their carne asada mix. Good news was it was cooked properly but she couldn't finish it for how bad it tasted. It's cooked over a gas grill which gives it that bad gas grill taste to top it off.

Our mashed potatoes came out with old dried chunks in it! The gravy was old too and came out with the old dried out chucks that coagulate on top from sitting too long. Pathetic. The snap peas tasted disgusting too. I couldn't point to what the heck they were cooked in but something cheap and not good. They'd be better off serving them raw with sea salt on top. At least they wouldn't be ruined.

The creme brulee wasn't even made correctly. It was super thick and wasn't what I was expecting. They claim it was orange creme brulee but it tasted like they just used orange rinds so it was bitter. No thanks.

Sadly I had high hopes for this place. The prices were high so I figured it would be good. Boy was that a blow. I wouldn't come back here if the meal was free. It was just overly disappointing for over $200+ for two people. You can get a better meal for $50 for two people almost anywhere. This location has great potential and it's a unique place but man are they proud of horrible food. No thanks, never again. I told my wife on the way out I made better food...