Samson M. J.
Google
Stayed in the neighborhood and decided walk here for dinner one night.
The website says that they serve “fresh made pastas and comfort food inspired by the flavors of Italy and Southern Europe.” Google says that it is a “laid-back restaurant offering a menu of Southern European-inspired dishes like burgers, steaks and schnitzel.” What I found was an overwhelming pasta-focused menu with some nods to other regions and other, more basic, offerings in the starters and mains. When compared to an older menu from a few months ago, it seems like the menu we saw has been paired back/revised. None of that is bad. Restaurants have to work with tight margins. And there were offerings for a range of appetites diets.
The restaurant is open and airy, with lots of windows, a white ceiling, and an overall palette that emphasizes browns and soft tones. We were greeted quickly and promptly seated by the same person who ended up serving us. She was polite and professional, and more than willing to answer questions and make modifications for us. From what we could see there was a very limited staff, with a bartender, at least one other server/busser, and at least two people working in the kitchen on a Thursday evening.
The house wine had a good pour, tasted fine, and was priced fairly. The patatas brava were wonderfully spiced and nicely crisp, with a small serving size that fit the $9 pricing. The Caesar salad featured blistered tomatoes, which were a unique and tasty variation. The vodka pasta had al dente ziti and a flavor profile that leaned more toward the cream/mac n’ cheese side of flavors, even as it was an ample plating at $23. The steak frites came with lots of crispy fries, and a nice peppercorn sauce, but the coulette (which I get is inexpensive and thus better for those tight margins) had a touch too much fat capping on the smallish cuts and given the small portion size for $35.
I enjoyed the experience and would come back again. I am also rooting for this place to do well and flourish in this neighborhood. The overall price/quality/portion ratios were fine. The staff were great and suited to the limited number of guests. And the ambience was just right for me and my other guest. I mention all of this as a way of saying that some of your negative reviews from locals seem unduly harsh and contradictory, not helpful and supportive. But I guess being a good and open-minded guest/visitor is easier than marking your own territory when it comes to a local business [Right, PD? Luke? Tim? Tristram? At least Daniel is trying to be supportive. And many of the more recent reviews are positive and suggestive of improvements].
Thanks for a nice evening out on our second night in Denver. Recommended.