Jay’s Bistro – Fort Collins

Jay’s Bistro135 West OakFort Collins, Co 80524970-482-1867www.jaysbistro.netMon – Thu:11:00 am -9:30 pmFri: 11:00 am -10:00 pmSat: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pmSun: 5:00 pm –  8:00 pm

We stopped by this sleek old town restaurant on a weeknight and found the best kept Happy Hour secret in town. Jays Bistro’s happy hour sure beats the other “well drink and Coors Light” deals that dot the neighborhood. The new tapas menu makes it an even sweeter deal.

Atmosphere:  This colorful spot is tucked on Oak Street behind College Ave. It provides an inviting patio in front and a classy feeling when walking inside. The floors are wood and the walls are painted in colorful, warm, inviting hues decorated with impressionistic artwork. On the restaurant side there are tables and high rise booths lining the front as well as a fire place for those cold winter nights. The bar area has a small stage with a grand piano where jazz music plays 3 nights a week. The bar itself is lush and we shared the bar with only 2 or 3 other drinkers which we consider a sin.

Service:  We sat at the bar and service was perfect. Our glasses were filled and bartender explained the menu in detail. There appeared to be plenty of servers on staff to handle the crowd in the dining area.

Drinks:  Jay’s offers clever cocktails and a healthy wine selection as well as a few local micro beers on tap. The espresso martini was our favorite; it offers a coffee laced slap in the face. Other specialty martinis you will find here are the chocolate martini, pomegranate passion and the James Bond.

Food:  the menu is brimming with international flare with a tapas menu that includes items like peppadews, tomato bruschetta, and green pea hummus and shrimp ceviche tacos. The dinner menu begins with a heavy seafood appetizer selection followed by several steak dishes which include fillet mignon and rib eye classics but also rack of lamb and even a red deer loin dish.

Amenities:  Patio, HD TV’s, catering, stage area, banquet rooms, live music, fire-place.

Parking:  Parking is available in old town where ever you can find it.

The Buzz:  Live Music on Wednesday’s starting at 7:30pm and Thursday through Saturday at 6:30pm, happy hour Monday-Saturday from 4-6:30pm and until close on Wednesdays.