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"Set inside the historic brick building at 812 12th Street that once served as Colorado’s territorial capitol, Bella Colibri is an elegant, intimate new Italian restaurant being opened by Golden restaurateurs Aimee and Dean Valdez. With a separate entrance on 12th Street, the cozy 40-seat dining room features brick walls, white tablecloths and paintings that aim to depict Colorado landscapes with “a Tuscan feel,” plus a chef’s counter with a view of meals being prepared. The menu will include several pastas—highlighted by a carbonara made with pork belly and a clam spaghetti—alongside a New York strip, a roasted half rack of lamb, a seafood stew and other meat and fish dishes; a selection of antipasto that will include meatballs and carpaccio; and desserts such as panna cotta and cannolis. The bar will serve wines from Italy and California, Italian and Colorado beers, and twists on classic Italian cocktails. The name Bella Colibri means “beautiful hummingbird,” chosen because the arrival of hummingbirds heralds the coming of summer in Colorado, and the restaurant is slated to open Saturday, November 1, operating Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m." - Paul Albani-Burgio