Inside Gattara, Uptown’s Whimsical New Cat-Themed Italian Restaurant | Eater Denver

"Inside the Warwick Hotel at 1776 Grant Street in Uptown, I found a warm, airy Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a whimsical cat theme that opened earlier this month. The interior—heavy on bright walls, pop art and big windows—feels right at home in the hotel's modern-meets-sixties-chic renovation and is infused with playful cat motifs, from a curious mural cat peering from behind the bar to painted cat paws in the lounge; the theme stems from owner Richard Chiu’s fascination with the old Italian word “gattara,” which roughly translates to “cat lady.” The restaurant offers a massive patio with a lounge and fireplace plus views of nearby downtown high-rises, and the dining room features a brick fireplace and a bar counter where diners can watch pizza makers bake Neapolitan pies in a large Italian stone oven. The six pizzas—topped with ingredients like fennel, fontina and elk pepperoni—are a must, but the pastas shouldn't be ignored, including a pappardelle topped with short rib and a gnocchi topped with braised pork belly. The bar mixes classic and specialty cocktails with cat-referencing names such as the Calico and the Sphynx." - Paul Albani-Burgio