Buffet style was never so posh.

Lighted candle lamps. A dimly lit bar. Exquisite cuisine choices.

I don't usually use the term unique. But the term fits for Villa Caribe, a new restaurant in the Poudre Valley Plaza taking the place of the former Giovanni's and Table 65. It features Caribbean, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian and French cuisines, among others.

I took Noelle to lunch knowing there was some "huge news" she wanted to tell me in person. Since Villa Caribe is being billed as a high-end restaurant, it seemed an appropriate setting for the "huge news."

And though everyone was in jeans, even Noelle, this was still one of the classier lunches I'd ever seen.

It's a first for me. The first time in Fort Collins I've ever had to get on a waitlist during lunch hour.

From the dining area near the bar, we could tell from the large lunch crowd that it's a place already well received.

The lunch buffet is $7.95. Drinks and desserts are extra. The dinner buffet, which costs $24.95 per person, includes one beverage, the entire dinner selection and a featured dessert.

We walked over to the serving tables, where we found several dishes not usually found on a buffet.

On the salad cart: Not just any salad. A Mediterranean Chop Salad tossed in the featured dressing, which had a great tangy zip I enjoyed. A luscious Jamaican mix.

The only thing I saw that was familiar was Eggplant Parmigiana.

Among the unfamiliar names were the Mahi Mahi Provincal and Italian Muffaletta with procuitto, pepperoni and cheese. Both were wonderful, but I preferred the Italian Muffaletta with the layers of red peppers, the Italian salamis and the fresh artichoke stacked up.

I also tried the Beef Daule with buttered fa falle, which was a mixture of spiced meat with bowtie noodles.

I tried a Jamaican mix salad I loved, as well as a rice mix of raisins, almonds and fruit.

Noelle tried the Chicken Picatta with sundried tomatoes, black olive and tapenode. She als tried the (Spanish) Pagna Bania sandwich, which she did not care for.

She tried the (Spanish) Pollo a la Chilindron with chicken and red tomatoes, green bell pepper, among other saucy ingredients in oil vinaigrette. She went back for more of that particular plate. She also enjoyed the (Caribbean) Butternut Squash Soup.

Another dish, the bowtie pasta, was made with some irresistible sundried tomatoes.

The dessert cart is strolled through the restaurant with entire pies of (Italian) Tiramisu, (Caribbean) Key lime pie, (French) fruit tartlets, (Caribbean) Pandan pineapple cake, (Spanish) Cherry clafoutis and (Caribbean) chilled mango cheesecake.

From the dessert cart, Noelle choose the mango cheesecake. I had the upside down pineapple cake layered with just enough frosting.

As for the big news -- Noelle is getting married (in Las Vegas of all places, the city that made buffets famous).

I went back on Tuesday with Julie and Lora. I noticed the waiter, Rob, was attentive and quick on his feet just as our waitress, Sandy, had been a few days before. I also noticed many different cuisines just as pleasing. Reggae music on the patio added a nice touch.

I took a closer look at the wine list to find a sentimental favorite, Bonny Doon's Big House Red, that I don't always see on menus this far from the coastline. That gained high marks. The wine list was mostly international, featuring several Chilean, Italian, Spanish and French selections. But what they had of U.S. wines was sufficient and even included Loveland's Trail Ridge Bemberger.

I never thought I'd call buffet fine dining. But a friend of mine always says there's a first time for everything.

Anna Maria Basquez covers arts and entertainment for the Coloradoan. Reach her at AnnaBasquez@coloradoan.com