The Wapiti Colorado Pub

This is fairly close to our home, so we go once in a while. Typically when a coupon in the mail reminds us - I think since it is off the beaten path, many tend not to think of it when considering dining options.

I was a bit concerned a couple of months ago when we got a coupon as part of a larger mailer that focused on their "shamless" self promotion. It seems they fixed that and changed coupon promo companies to continue their "shameless" self promo campaign. Their ongoing efforts on this front - and few folks there when we visited - seems to suggest that they continue to try hard but are not seeing a lot of results when it comes to bringing in dining patrons.

Our coupon this past Friday offered $5 off, and another $5 off if you joined their dining promotions program. The coupon and a table tent boasted they'd given away a lot of value to patrons. That's fine, but who needs another membership card or key-tag, and the approach has a hint of desperation to it.

Our waitress was very attentive, and helpful when it came to food and beer selections, and getting signed up for their dining program. She mentioned - and they had a number of posters and other material around - that they had recently done a beer pairing dinner with Loveland Aleworks, so had more options of their beers available than they might normally.

I chose the "whole" trout, which was quite good, though it was just a trout filet. I had the side salad, fresh and tasty - the honey balsamic dressing was good but pretty thick and hard to distribute on the salad. I chose the baked potato side, figured it would help bulk up a lighter meal of fish and salad. It was big and fluffy, with generous dollops of butter and sour cream.

My wife chose the half rack of ribs. It came with cole slaw and pretty good onion rings. It was a big portion, but parts of it were fatty, and parts were a bit dry. She took a good bit of it home, and I at them the next day. Not bad, nothing to write home about - there seemed to be a bit too much smoke flavoring for my tastes. The sauce was tangy and tasty.

I think one of their struggles, beyond being a little out of the way and not top-of-mind, is an identity crisis. They need to be a 19th hole for the golf course, which leads them to be a bit of a sports bar, and they also want to bring in local patrons for fine dining during times when there are not a lot of golfers. That can be challenging.

I also expect, given the wide variety on the menu, and the fact that there were just a few patrons, and we ended our meal as the only ones in the place, that they may have trouble keeping the kitchen fully stocked during slow times of the year with fresh ingredients - and that they may need to resort to non-fresh options to keep everything on hand year-round. I don't know, and just suspect that.

As others have commented here, the scenery is nice, and when the weather is good, there are options for patio dining. Not a bad change of pace for those looking for a new option.

Solid bar & grill type food, and the best patio in Loveland.  Great views overlooking Mariana Butte and the mountains to the west of Loveland, and no traffic noise or other distractions to deal with.  Don't be turned off by the golf course pro-shop being attached; the restaurant is completely separate and a good experience.

This is the best view in town!

Located at the Mariana Butte golf course, the restaurant  has some of the best food in town and everything on the menu is fantastic.  The manager Brian and the formally trained executive chef Bill always make you feel welcome.  Its a little out of the way if you dont live in the neighborhood but well worth the trip up there.  In the warmer months make sure to sit out on the patio and watch the sunset over the Rocky Mountains while enjoying your dinner.  Try to come on Wednesday nights as they have 'wind down Wednesdays' where you can get half off pitchers of Grimm Brothers beer (a local brewery).  

My favorite there is the Cowboy Ciao which is a spicy pasta carbonara type dish but in all honesty Ive yet to have anything on the menu that wasnt fantastic!