Editor Pick
The Fort
- October 5, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
rickhowe from Darlington, Maryland
When you write a restaurant review for IgoUgo, the authoring system requires that you fill-in things like Type of Dining, Attire, and Type of Cuisine.
There is no category to describe The Fort. None whatsoever.
The Fort was built in 1962, modeled after "Bent's Fort" in La Junta, CO. In the early 1800's, Bent's Fort was a stop along the trade routes that ran along the Sante Fe Trail.
The Restaurant named The Fort is, on the outside and inside, an accurate replica and is itself a terrific attraction.
But it's the food . . . and the drink that brings you back.
First the drink. About 30 years ago, we lived briefly in the Denver area, and The Fort was one of our favorite places. With Sissy (The Black Bear) out front to greet you, and a terrific menu inside, the thing we most remembered was Injun Whiskey.
Taken from the concept that unscrupulous traders watered-down (and spiced up) their whiskey for Native Americans, The Fort's Injun Whiskey was a wicked mix of Old Crow Whiskey, tobacco juice, red pepper sauce and deleaded gunpowder.
The first time we tried it, we were with a wild man who discovered that the bartender had essentially been decanting the stuff every time he poured. He didn't shake up the bottle, but just poured from the top. That meant the stuff at the bottom was REALLY thick! Our friend tossed down the liquid (the only way to drink it), and upended the shot glass onto a plate. The black sludge oozed out (essentially all gunpowder) and our friend lit it! It exploded, of course!
Today's version is milder, well-mixed and now given the PC name "Trade Whiskey." No more sludge. No cigar in the bottle. Just an interesting flavor. And no fireworks (unless you toss down a few). It's served in a sherry glass, so be prepared to drink what amounts to about a double shot!
When I was back there in October, our group sampled Buffalo Prime Rib (AMAZING and delicious) and Buffalo Fillet Mignon.
The appetizers were the strangest, however. I ordered, for the table, Roast Bison Marrow Bones. A pile of bones simply roasted and served with a port-bison reduction, Hawaiian red salt and sourdough bread slices. You push the cooked marrow through the bone (which looks EXACTLY like the bones I give my dog . . .), and it comes out like a liver pate. Actually pretty good.
We also ordered crispy lamb riblets in a citrus BBQ sauce (DELICIOUS) and the Avocado Rock Shrimp "Ceviche" (served in shot glasses). Other goodies included Elk Sausage, Rocky Mountain Oysters and Braised Bison Tongue.
If you're in Denver, for pleasure or business, head out Rt. 285 towards the giant cross on the mountain. Just past the signs for Red Rocks you'll find Rt. 8. Turn right and go about 300 yards to The Fort.
It's worth the trip.
From journal The Fort - West of Denver - Frontier Gourmet Dining