The Fort

19192 Highway 8
Morrison, CO 80465
Phone: (303) 697-4771
Fax (303) 697-9310
Map

www.thefort.com/

Highly Recommended

I think I'm in love. Sigh... Outside of Denver, nestled in native, red sandstone outcrops, is The Fort. I recommend you go the the website and read the history of the place before you go. Take a look at the menu while you are at it, just to whet your appetite.

The menu focuses on game; bison, red deer, elk, quail and duck are all featured. There are also Colorado Beef, fish and vegetarian choices. The appetizers we tried were Roast Bison Marrow Bones, BBQ'D Duck Quesadilla, Peanut Butter Stuffed Jalapeños, Lamb Riblets, Guacamole & Corn Chips and Bison "Boudies" Sausage. All were excellent (perhaps with the exception of the jalapenos that weren't bad but just sort of weird). The peanut butter cut through the heat of the chilies nicely but I still prefer goat cheese as a stuffing. As for the other apps, the marrow bones were split in half before roasting which maximized the caramelization of the marrow and provided easy access. Red Hawaiian salt and crustini completed this excellent and unctuous dish. The duck quesadilla were smokey and crisp with just a touch of heat; riblets, roasted with a sour, citrus bbq sauce that complimented the rich gamey lamb perfectly; the guacamole was fresh and chunky and the Boudies (one of my favorites, after the bones) a rich and savory forcemeat of bison, studded with pinenuts, had a wonderful, earthy taste, faintly reminiscent of blood sausage.

Entrees were equally intriguing and excellent. Buffalo Tenderloin Filet Mignon, Buffalo New York Strip, 20 oz. Bone in Buffalo Ribeye, Elk Chop and Oven Roasted Trout all made it to our table. Each dish was perfectly seasoned and cooked; served simply with choice sides. My entree was the bone in ribeye. Heavily seasoned with salt and pepper and roasted bone-in with a crisp crust outside, rare-medium-rare on the inside. If you have not had buffalo, you are in for a treat. It is similar to beef but does not have the marbeling. As a result, the flavor is less intense and should not be prepared beyond medium rare. I can't tell you how good this was! For a side I choose to replace the mashed potatoes with quinoa and heirloom tomato salad. The salad reminded me of tabouli only without parsley. It was cool and refreshing and complimented the buffalo perfectly.


I tried a taste of the Elk. Rich and delicious with a blueberry sauce that added a touch of sweetness. The reports back on all of the other dishes were glowing and a good time was had by all.


The Fort is not cheap; appetizers run from $6 to $18 and entrees from $22 to $52 but it is well worth it. The atmosphere and views are wonderful, service is attentive without being overly familiar (which I hate) and the food is fabulous. If you are in Denver this is a must! After all, you are dead for a very long time.