NOCO Foodies, Take Note: Ace Gillett’s Is Serving More Than Cocktails

Chef Ryan Smith may be a hometown hero, having grown up and graduated right here in FOCO, but he is ready to elevate the Fort Collins foodie scene with his inspired artistic style at Ace Gillett’s. 

Chef Ryan gets interviewed

If you are as chronically online as I am, you may be saying, “What Fort Collins foodie scene?” as it is always the talk of the town that Fort Collins' food scene is less elevated and more casual than some other NOCO cities like Boulder and Denver. But we got to sit down with Chef Ryan of The Armstrong Hotel and Ace Gillette's, and he points out that it is not necessarily the case anymore. There is a group of dedicated chefs in the Fort Collins area who are working to elevate the culinary experience here, and Ryan wants Ace Gillett’s to be leading that charge!

When asked what he wanted people to know about the food he is creating, he laughed and said, “I would love to start with people even knowing we have food!” While the sentiment seems funny for a chef, I couldn’t help but agree with him. As someone who has loved Ace Gillett’s for their cocktail and music scene over the years, I will say I have never considered eating dinner there until recently. So, step one for Chef Ryan and Ace Gillett’s culinary experience, for people to know it exists. Well, now you know! Step two: getting people to step outside of their comfort zone.

Throughout the entire interview, you could tell that what truly drives Ryan’s passion for food is the creativity—being able to be an “edible artist,” as he called it. From pairing unexpected cuisines and ingredients to utilizing the same ingredients that Ace is famously known for using in their cocktails to truly create a destined pairing, he truly loves creating not only a meal but a dining experience. When we asked him to describe what he believes makes a true culinary experience, he described being able to walk someone through unexpected pairings, utilizing ingredients and cuisines that you would not expect. He also described being able to combine multiple senses to truly elevate that experience. What this means in the future for Ace Gillett’s: “We aren’t a wine bar, we are a cocktail lounge, so when we do a pairing dinner in the future, we will do something even cooler.”

National Martini Day Foie Gras paired with Martini

We were able to witness Chef Ryan in action and taste one of his creations: a foie gras with smoked onion, toasted brioche, and more. I will admit that I did not know what foie gras was when I was handed a fork and knife to take a bite. But I tried to combine all the flavors in one bite, and I didn’t need to know what it was to know it was delicious. I later learned that it is duck liver and a true luxury food. This may seem out of place at Ace Gillett’s—or in Fort Collins—to some, but we all know that when we want luxury cocktails, Ace Gillett’s is top of the list of places we are checking out. Rounding out this experience with luxury food, truly designed to elevate those cocktails we love so much, just makes sense.

You could tell that helping to foster the growth and future of the culinary profession and future chefs also drives Ryan forward. When asked about his introduction into the cooking world and what brought him to Ace Gillett’s, he seemed hesitant to speak on specifics, as he described his style as a chef in the beginning of his career as a little more “Gordon Ramsay”—with more screaming than he wants to take with him moving forward. He wants to create a kitchen environment that fosters love of the profession and that creativity that drives him, for others as well. When he took over the kitchen at The Armstrong, he retained his sous Chef, Tyler, and other kitchen staff, and he spoke very highly of their desire to move into this elevated level of cooking as well, and the ways that the staff can work together.

Head downstairs for the signature Ace Gillett's atmosphere, but don't forget that Ace Cafe is open for brunch and evening shared plates upstairs. Enjoy live music on the weekends for brunch and the bustle of downtown. Classic brunch favorites, cocktails, and their own happy hour, Ace Cafe is worth checking out on its own, during a stay at the Armstrong, or before you visit Ace Gillette's.

Chef Ryan may be elevating the food scene, but he is not afraid to have a little fun as well, proudly taking his very own album cover for this article. I would not be surprised if this fun side appears in the ways he prepares, adapts, and fuses his culinary styles.

So what can you expect when you dine at Ace Gillett’s moving forward? A true experience. Come in for a special, like the foie gras dish that we tried, which was for National Martini Day and paired with a Caribbean or Old Smoked Martini. Don’t expect to always have the same ol’ same ol’ food. Expect seasonal offerings, specials, and new favorites, focusing on local partnerships when possible and highlighting the different flavor profiles that come with the changing seasons. So if you have been looking to find your FOCO foodie scene, remember: Ace Gillett’s serves food… and damn good food at that.

*This article was sponsored by The Armstrong Hotel and Ace Gillett's. The thoughts and opinions shared here are those of the author and don’t necessarily reflect the views of This Is NOCO or its team.