RARE Italian Owner verified

About

RARE is an Italian steakhouse located in the heart of Old Town in Fort Collins, Colorado. Inspired by travel experiences in central Italy, RARE offers a rustic, farm-to-table approach to dishes often found in Umbria and Tuscany. RARE’s menus feature fresh, homemade pasta and cheeses, the best in-house dry-aged steaks in Northern Colorado, and an extensive list of New and Old World wines.

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Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming the ProStart 1 Class from Severance High School for a behind-the-scenes look at RARE Italian! 🍕✨ Executive Chef Nate Boothe guided them through everything from front-of-house hospitality to back-of-house precision. And, of course, they got to roll up their sleeves and craft their own pizzas! Sharing our passion for food with the next generation is always a highlight. 👨‍🍳🔥

With another busy week ahead of us, it's best to begin with something that comforts the spirit— a pairing you'll find at RARE on every occasion. Pictured is the Seasonal Crostata, an Italian open-faced Italian fruit tart.

Have you tried the Agnolotti yet? Picture braised beef, handmade sausage, Parmigiano-Reggiano, in a rich beef brodo, topped with fresh pea tendrils. Yes please!

Ever-changing and seasonally focused, our menu delights in the freshest ingredients. Dive into the delicious flavors of our Grilled Scottish Salmon, a limited-time favorite that captures the essence of the season.

Our chefs pour their hearts into every dish, ensuring each bite is a masterpiece of flavor and finesse. With pasta made fresh daily, made for you to enjoy. Come taste the difference!

Meet our fan-favorite Ragu: house-made pasta, savory pork sausage, house aged beef ragu, Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh rosemary. It's Italian comfort in every bite! 🇮🇹❤️

We’re committed to seasonality and are proud to feature the finest, local ingredients on our menu. 🍅🥖🌱 Pictured is our Blistered Campari Tomato appetizer. Made with handmade burrata, grilled house-made focaccia, almond pesto, balsamic reduction, extra virgin olive oil & micro basil

Elevate your dining experience with our 32 oz. Dry-Aged Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. 🥩🍋 Perfectly seared, rich in flavor, and served with charred lemon and roasted carrots. It's the ultimate indulgence—ready to share, if you dare.

Carbonara and a glass of rosé—a match made in culinary heaven. 😋 If carbs are wrong, we don’t want to be right!

Did you know? The famous Italian dessert, Tiramisu, literally means ‘pick me up’ in Italian. One taste of our house-made Tiramisu, and you’ll see why! 🍰

Did you know? Steaks are typically dry-aged to enhance their flavor and tenderness. At RARE, we take it a step further by dry-aging the finest cuts of beef in-house for a minimum of 21 days! This process develops a rich, nutty, and buttery flavor, while the outer crust forms to protect the meat—trimmed off right before serving. Ready to taste the difference? 🥩✨

Team Strawberry Cantuccini or Team Chocolate Hazelnut Torte? Fruity and fresh, or rich and chocolatey... Why choose? Life’s short. Order both. 😉✨

Craving cocktails without the booze? We’ve got you covered! 🍸✨ 🌿 Lavender Simple – Lavender, pineapple juice, and lemonade 🍑 Bellini – Peach juice and fizzy GRÜVI Dry Secco 🍋 Mock Mule – Ginger beer with a floral twist 🥃 Old Fashioned – Smooth, zero-proof classic

A little love, a lot of flavor. From our kitchen to your table, every bite at RARE is a taste of Italian passion. ❤️

Bitters are like the salt and pepper of mixology—crafted from botanicals to add depth and balance to your favorite drinks. Pull up a seat and watch our bartenders work their magic. ✨🍸

Sunday just got sweeter! Celebrate the weekend with 50% off all wine bottles, including the exquisite Chimney Rock Cabernet from Stags Leap, Napa, CA (2021). Ranked #12 on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines, it’s a bold classic perfect for unwinding in style.

Duck Ragù Gnocchi: where slow-cooked duck meets pillowy gnocchi in perfect harmony. 🦆✨ Rich, creamy, and downright irresistible. Dinner plans, solved.

Celebrate with our new Toscano Chicken Croccante: crispy chicken, sautéed spinach, finely cut noodles, house-made mascarpone, marinated tomatoes, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A dish that's as satisfying as the start of your weekend. 🍝🍷

Our Steak Salad showcases succulent marinated skirt steak atop vibrant greens, roasted peppers, and tangy gorgonzola piccante, all drizzled with a charred tomato vinaigrette. Enjoy it alongside the striking 2018 Nervi Conterno Gattinara—a pairing that truly steals the spotlight!

Crispy. Savory. Just the right amount of heat. Our Salt & Pepper Calamari brings the perfect balance of cracked black pepper, Maldon salt, blistered shishito peppers, and a duo of burnt lemon aioli + marinara.👌✨ How do you like your calamari—classic or with a little kick?

Wind down the weekend with half-priced bottles of wine and the kind of meal that makes you want to stay a little longer. 🍷 The perfect excuse to open something special—who’s in?

✨ A fresh chapter at RARE Italian! ✨ We’ve elevated our space with a beautiful new design, crafted with care for the moments you share with us. Stop by to take in the refreshed atmosphere while enjoying your favorite dishes. We can’t wait to welcome you in! 🍷

Pull up a chair, there’s a pour with your name on it. 🍻✨ From local craft beers to something sparkling, the bar is where conversations kick off and great nights unfold. Here's to the little moments that turn into lasting memories.

Rich, buttery, and perfectly spiced! ✨ Our Prince Edward Island Mussels are simmered in a delightful blend of white wine, butter, Calabrian chili peppers, onions, tomato & garlic. Served with grilled ciabatta to soak up every drop. One bite and you’re seaside. 🌊☀️

Fresh pasta, made in-house every day. It doesn’t get more RARE than that! Pasta this good won’t wait, and neither should you. 🍝

The calm before service begins. Composed, focused, and ready to craft something unforgettable.

Our Tomato Arancini got a little glow-up lately. 🌟 Handmade mozzarella-stuffed tomato risotto, nestled in house marinara, topped with lemon aioli, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a bright arugula salad. A fresh take on a RARE favorite!

Before we open our doors, we sip with intention. ✨ A new wine is sampled every shift, so when you ask what pairs best, we’re ready to guide you with care and confidence. 🍷 Call it our favorite kind of “homework”!

It’s Sunday supper, which means it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy half priced bottles of any wine on our menu with your friends and family at RARE. Saluti!

Our imported cheeses will instantly transport you to the summer streets of Italy. With flavors ranging from gorgonzola to pecorino peperoncino, every bite is just as delightful as the last.

Building the ultimate antipasti board bite is a craft in and of itself.

Indulge in our hand-crafted cocktails (with an Italian twist) as you kick off the weekend. You've earned it.

Cocktail hour redefined – where every sip tells a story of Italian craftsmanship.

Craft your Antipasti masterpiece at RARE! Handmade cheeses, salumi, imported delights, and vegetables – the canvas is yours. What’s your go-to combo?

Did you know that RARE offers a robust menu of Old World and New World wines? With over 130+ wines in-house, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect pairing for your next Italian meal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At RARE Italian, we're not just crafting meals; we're creating memories. Join us for a night of delectable dishes and unforgettable moments.

Our Dry-Aged NY Strip: grilled to Rare perfection. Pair with your favorite Barolo and indulge in our Chocolate Hazelnut Torte for dessert .

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