Great Plates

I am always down for a party. In fact, I’d say that despite being parents, my husband and I still know how to have a really good time. It can be just the two of us and we’d still have the time of our lives, like our overnight stay in Denver last month, or end up taking over the town with friends like we did on our 10^th wedding anniversary last year in Old Town. We love to celebrate, laugh and enjoy life to the fullest.
When I got the info for the upcoming Great Plates event downtown (March 1 – 14), I was so excited. Celebration? Food? Drinks? Old Town? Amazing deals? What’s there not to be excited about?! It’s a foodie’s favorite time of year here in Fort Collins and being a Food Writer who loves to have a good time, I was mapping out my dinning route weeks in advance.
Great Plates is organized by the Downtown Business Association to encourage dining enthusiasts to enjoy the authenticity, quality and diversity of local eateries in Old Town. The first Great Plates event was held in 2005, and to celebrate the establishment of Fort Collins in 1868, the special dining deals were meals priced at $ 18.68. Five years later, Great Plates has taken off and become a favorite culinary event in our town. This year we are celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Old Town Square, so dining deals are priced at $ 25 per person at the higher-​end restaurants or two for $ 25 at mid-​priced places.
The first night of Great Plates was pretty good. For $ 25, it was great. My husband and I had a nice date night without the kids, talking about our upcoming summer plans of family vacations and fly fishing. I left thinking about how lucky we are to live in Fort Collins, with wonderful places to eat and fun celebrations like Great Plates. Fort Collins, Old Town and everything that they offer are certainly worthy of a party.

Great Plates is Fort Collin’s equivalent to Restaurant Week in Denver, except it lasts 2 weeks and is less than half the price! Taking place around the first of March (March 1 – 14 this year), Great Plates involves restaurants in Old Town that offer meals for 1 or 2 for just $ 18.68. Why $ 18.68? Well, to commemorate the establishment of downtown Fort Collins in 1868!
This is a great week to try out some of the more expensive places that you might not otherwise be able to afford (The Melting Pot, the new Lubick Steakhouse, Jay’s), try new places in Old Town (Rustic Oven, Lulu’s, Backcountry Provisions), splurge at old time favorites (Stonehouse Grille, Crown Pub, Bisetti’s, to name a few), and get some great deals on bar food (Trailhead, Old Chicago’s, Coopersmith’s).
Best part about Great Plates is that you are supporting your local businesses, all while not breaking the bank!
Make sure to check out the website for a full list of participating restaurants since it changes each year and the menu they are offering since it is usually limited from their normal offerings (though you can still order off the «normal» menu and pay «normal» prices).