Jonathan R.
Yelp
Upon gleaning the extraordinary reviews disseminated of this venue, I felt compelled to not only frequent it, but order something off of the beaten track: spaghetti, not a wild deviation at a supposed Italian restaurant. I just didn't feel like pizza. Professional critics do that sometimes, serving as a litmus test of the commitment to, and depth of, [the] quality that the owner is willing to invest, to bring excellence to all areas of the restaurant. Worded another way, if it's on the menu, the restaurant should not only stand behind the item, but celebrate it.
Kao's spaghetti proved barely edible, existing as a pretentious Spaghetti-O's concoction. Did they ever dump sugar into the red sauce, presumably the same sauce used for the pizzas! It was horrific. I had to stop about 1/3 of the way through the entree. The sausage was broken into little lumps, definitely an odd presentation. Despite pouring mountains of cheese and red peppers into the mix, I just couldn't overcome this half-box of sugar tragically up-ended into the recipe. This is an example of a hot venue, Pearl Street Neighborhood, driving the popularity, not the food.
For vastly superior pasta, try Lou's Italian Specialities' Penne Vodka (in the RINO District), Carmine's Lonardo in Lakewood, or IlPastaio, Boulder. The good news' that I ordered the children's portion costing me under $14 out the door. I was going to get some ice cream at Sweet Cow. Now? No need. I've ingested more sugar from eating 1/3 of this children's meal than one would have in a double scoop of chocolate, there.