I came to the Flying Fork for dinner with some friends this past Sunday and was so happy with my experience. This past weekend was the Harvest Festival and I came into town with some friends to enjoy the festival and wineries. After a day of drinking wine and walking around, we decided to come here for dinner since so many locals recommended it. We came around 8pm and were seated after a 10 min wait. The night was busy due to the festival and we were the last people to leave the restaurant but we never felt rushed or unwelcome. The food was delicious! I had the Chicken Marsala and I did not leave any leftovers at all. In fact, no one in my party had any leftovers. If you are in the area, definitely come for a memorable dining experience and awesome food. P.S. don't forget to order dessert! read more

Flying Fork - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Paonia, Colorado

Lovely family-owed business. Fabulous atmosphere, especially if you can sit outside in the lush garden. Some of the best Italian food I have ever had. Very friendly wait staff. read more

We live in Crawford, CO, so this restaurant is definitely close to home AND one of the best eateries in the North Fork Valley. Over this Summer we've eaten at the Flying Fork on 3 different occasions. All have been large gatherings of friends and family! Without exception our service has been excellent and the Owners have made us feel welcomed. The food was always perfect and when it was delivered it was hot, with beautiful presentation, and almost all meals delivered at the same time...we're talking up to 10+ meals at one sitting. There were some issues with the waitstaff when they first opened by the owners have worked to correct those problems. We look forward to many years of fine dining to come from The Flying Fork!!! read more

Spring of 2024 review(new ownership): Best Italian food we've had this side of Italy!!! The Flying Fork is an amazing family run restaurant. Franco, the Italian father is an incredible chef, Mamma Jessica is the hostess with the mostess and a mixologist extraordinaire! The kids (Rosie, Birdy & Pinkie) are the kindest, coolest & cutest weight staff you'll ever see in one place. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out, with the added benefit of a gorgeous outdoor dining environment under the trees out back. The bar portion of the restaurant is elegant and laid-back all at once. If I could give this place 10 stars I would! The whole experience is truly amazing! Check it out for yourself and tell 'em Charris sent you read more

Although the food was good (not great but good), having a two-hour dining experience on a Thursday night was not fun. The restaurant recently reopened with new owners who appear very disorganized. Although we had a reservation for 4, we were initially seated in the bar area in what could only be described as two small student desk tables so we restated we had a reservation and were subsequently moved. From what we could see, there appeared to be one chef working solo with 3 ill-trained waitresses. As we were entering the building a gentleman exiting barked "Don't Even Bother". We should have heeded the warning. We witnessed a large group seated outside send several plates back. If you have endless time for generic food go for it. If not you may want to pass. read more

Cozy, fancy (for the area) restaurant, with gluten free options, despite being Italian cuisine, and a decent cocktail selection. Service was slow and mediocre, which would be my only gripe, but otherwise was a very pleasant experience, fresh food, and a delicious GF dessert torte. One of the only places open until 9pm in this sleepy town, and probably the only "fancy" bar if that's what you are looking for. read more

Flying Fork - Gluten free dessert special - Italian Near Me - Paonia, Colorado

Have been several times, both under previous owners and the new ownership as of 2024. We have had excellent experiences each time this year, the food is fantastic, more expensive but the quality and portion and flavors make it worth it. The service (hi Rosa!) has been excellent and we REALLy Appreciate that the lovely courtyard is now dog friendly! It's a big reason we frequent the place more often now. Stop by if you're in Paonia and try it out! read more

Pizza was good my boy enjoys it. Onwers and staff were great. I'll stop by here when passing thru Colorado again. Thanks

Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Italian favorites are well prepared with fresh ingredients. Service attentive and knowledgeable. Cozy, home-like setting. Located in a community with an artistic bent, surrounded by agriculture, read more

Flying Fork was a fantastic restaurant, delicious food and outdoor garden seating but currently is closed. The building is for rent.

A family owned restaurant newly opened which provided a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for our group of 7 highlighted by excellent food and service. We fortunately reserved a table earlier in the day as the entire restaurant was full. The owner and chef, Franco, is not only an Italian chef but from Italy via Pueblo, CO. His wife Jessica oversees the service and was delightful throughout the night. Their son Pinky did a great job with the dessert presentation and helped bus tables. Salads were fresh and crisp with a house Italian dressing and 2 types of bread. My Chicken Marsala served over baby spinach, rice & orzo and a satisfying vegetable medley was outstanding. The Cannolis did not disappoint either. Offerings from the bar were adequate but not great. Not one complaint from our group, a rare event in itself. Judging from our experience they have a bright future ahead. read more

We had such a wonderful dinner this evening at the Flying Fork...the salmon was delicious and the service was spectacular!!

Chanced on this spot in Paonia, CO. It was a terrific surprise. Some of the best food ever in a delightful setting--including outdoor dining. And the bar man was great! read more

Flying Fork - Outside dining option - Italian Near Me - Paonia, Colorado

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We did return to Flying Fork after our previous negative experience. We went there for dinner this evening. This time we made reservations (do that!) and everything was copacetic! We had helpful and friendly servers, were seated immediately, and had a fantastic meal. One of my favorite things about Flying Fork is that they offer local wines. It always surprises me when upscale restaurants do not offer Colorado wines because there are so many wonderful vineyards and bottles. We chose an Alfred Eames Collage, a blend with Cabernet Franc, Cab. ernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Alfred Eames is one of Colorado's best West Elk AVA vintners. Our appetizer, Bruschetta with pesto, roasted red pepper, and goat cheese was superb. Our server also brought warm focaccia and fresh bread. For entrees, we had Pasta Primavera with fresh spinach fettucine and an abundance of fresh vegetables, Penne Alla Vodka, and Creamy Gorgonzola and Mushroom Fettucine with smoked chicken. All were delightful. There are many other entrees as well including a variety of vegetarian options. Pastas are available as entrees or small plates, so diners can built a meal of an appetizer, salad, and pasta. We will return here every time we visit Paonia. We come here frequently to pick up wine club cases--a good reason to visit Paonia/West Elk! We are so glad that we returned to give Flying Fork another try. read more

Finally stopped by for dinner. Lovely restaurant with a beautiful outdoor patio surrounded by a kitchen herb garden. Had the arugula salad and two half-portions or appetizer size pastas which were more than sufficient. The gemelli was good but the homemade fettuccine (spinach) with artichoke hearts, shrimp and Alfredo sauce. I need a very large spoon next time. Wait staff was lovely. read more

Friendly interactions with the staff and customers. Great menu and wine selection. read more

This was a cute bar/cafe with a great menu. The special that I ordered was amazing (Gorgonzola spinach fettuccine with crimini mushrooms and shrimp) but the regular fettuccine my friend received lacked some flavor. We ordered drinks and they arrived almost an hour after we were seated and when we were basically done with our entrees. They have an adorable patio outside but it was raining so we didn't get an opportunity to sit outside. For anyone that had dogs they unfortunately aren't welcome on the patio. They also had some charges with our check that didn't add up from when we first received the bill, so just make sure to double check the additional charges before you pay. (It was only a couple dollars so we didn't say anything). read more

Delightful dining venue with both indoor and outdoor seating. The small bar is charming and a source of great cocktails.

What a great little cafe! The food, service and ambiance were all wonderful and it was great to find something open on Sunday! I definitely plan on returning! read more

The Fork is definitely the best restaurant, not only in Paonia, but in the entire North Fork Valley. They feature great food and friendly service and have a well-rounded menu that everyone from vegetarians to carnivores can enjoy. They are also very accommodating for those with strict dietary needs. Be sure to pop into the bakery and get a muffin or a nice loaf of bread. The rosemary sourdough bread is incredible. read more

Flying Fork - Italian Near Me - Paonia, Colorado

Our group of 4 went to the Flying Fork Cafe this weekend when I was visiting town. I was very impressed with the variety on the menu. The artichoke spinach dip with parmesan flat bread was a fantastic appetizer. There were multiple salads ordered, each of which was fresh and crisp. We also ordered the ravioli (portobello mushroom) and the fettucine (shrimp and artichoke hearts) which were both delicious and creamy; the group favored the ravioli although both are highly recommended. Finally, there was a baked salmon special which had some sort of sweet bread crust, I believe it was ginger crusted, which was off the charts! I give 4 stars rather than 5 due to the speed of service. It was pretty busy and the restaurant seemed a bit short-staffed for the amount of customers. Overall though, friendly staff and amazing food! read more

Several years ago I posted a scathing review of the service of the payment practices at Flying Fork.A group of 10 of us ate there last evening and the food,service,atmosphere AND the ability of each person to pay their bill was excellent.A complete turnaround from my most recent previous visit. I highly recommend Flying Fork and hope to enjoy the Cafe on my next visit read more

My sister and I had the great foresight to order dinner from this truly unique Paonia restaurant yesterday evening . I had the Crimini Mushroom in Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and my sister had the Smoked Chicken in Creamy Pesto Sauce, both over homemade fettucine. Both were delicious and enough was left over to have for lunch today. (Yum!!!) Also we split two of their desserts, the tiramisu and the torte. Also delicious! Prices are a little high but one figures that one always pays for quality!!! read more

I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone staying in or passing through Paonia. Our dinner started with arugula salads and an olive appetizer. That was followed by the Bambino pizza before enjoying every bite of the best tiramisu I've ever had. The food was excellent as was the service. read more

Great food and a comfortable place Best food in Paonia xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Cxxxxxxxxx

What a nice find in Paonia. The food was ok not great but they are almost there. Penne with vodka sauce should have been thicker and creamier. It was a little thin. The mushroom raviolis were overpowered by the gorgonzola cheese flavor. We had to ask for bread and they they gave us only 2 little pieces at a time. Nothing special about the Arugula salad either. read more

Our group eats at here every year. The food is usually good but last nite, it was not. Fettuccine and shrimp was cook well but the sauce was too thin. Worst problem was the wait, over 1.5 hrs for entree. They said only our order was delayed but several tables were waiting. One couple left without getting their food. Hope they can fix this. read more

The Flying Fork is nothing less than enjoyable. They are very consistent in service, food quality, and atmosphere. The music selection has always been appropriate and menu portions are adequate, though they don't quite top me off. While there are many things to rave about, the only one drawback I've experienced has been certain menu offerings at certain times which were sold out, especially in the bakery. I guess that's a testament to the desirability of their products, and for the review, it only adds points. They have a wonderful little patio for summer-time usage (very romantic, for you guys looking to score some points with your lady), and the bakery offers some ambrosial treats to helps sweeten the experience. Expect cramped quarters on holiday weekends. read more

This is a stunning location. Really an incredible meal in the middle of what seems like nowhere. We got several recommendations to eat here and headed over after we checked in at Laroux Creek Inn. Well, we are Denver people and thankfully just squeaked in at 8pm (they close at 9pm so be aware)! The cocktails are on the pricier side but the beers are delicious and a bit more price reasonable. We were brought a few slices of focaccia and rosemary bread that were OUT OF THIS WORLD! The olive oil really made it perfect. My husband got the chicken marsala and I got the homemade spinach fettuccine with smoked chicken. EXCELLENT. Really tasty. My fettuccine was a little under salted/seasoned but better that than over, as you can salt to taste. The marsala was unique and delicious. We filled up, because the portions were excellent. Here's a pro tip - the entrance to the cafe is not on the street - it's around the side, through the garden. We got a bit confused at first. :) read more

I was pretty happy with the flying fork. It's a great little spot in Paonia, although probably the most expensive in the town to be honest. The italian is pretty authentic, and after several months in Italy I feel like a decent judge... ha. It wasn't the best in the world, but it was good enough for me to give 4 stars, so yea... would recommend for your "nice night out" in the town. read more

Visited here for dinner with local friends who highly recommended. We were seated, drinks were ordered and about 10 mins later the server came to out to the table to tell us the bartender didn't show and we would only be able to order beer or wine. Fine, it happens. After getting our drinks, we didn't have ANY service again for at least 30 mins. No offers of bread, refills on our drinks, nada. Luckily we were old friends catching up and time was ok. After waiting a very long time, our server finally showed up and asked if we needed drink refills, and we asked if we could order! "Oh, I thought you put in your order already." No apology. We ordered and finally service picked back up, as another server jumped in to help deliver salads, bread, drinks. Honestly, the food was ok. I had penne pasta with chicken, my husband had shrimp (way overcooked!) and mashed potatoes. Now, we do understand the lack of help these days. We live in Portland Maine (lots of foodies and good restaurants) and it's the same here. My sons are in the restaurant business, we understand. But it just wasn't good. For the price point, it just wasn't worth the total bill of $200.00 for four of us, with no appetizers, and only wine and beer. Dinner from start to finish was 2 hours long. Maybe it was an off night, who knows. Big disappointment though..... read more

Great dinner there the other night Tried both of the specials and enjoyed both of them Sit In the courtyard was sweet location Must place the dine if visiting Paona read more

Food=amazing Service=great Atmosphere= awesome First time in Paonia, and I think we will be back maybe just for this place. Best chicken parm I've had, not your average smashed chicken breast, full breast halved, and perfectly cooked. Pomodoro sauce was excellent, perfect texture and great acidity. Can't wait to come back and sit in this garden! read more

There are two amazing restaurants in Paonia, CO and this is one of them. Located at 101 3rd Street, a block off Grand Avenue, the garden patio offers a wonderful place to sit and eat and the main dining room inside is intimate and cozy. We had a wonderful dinner consisting of the Mista salad and several different pizzas we shared. The dinner menu consists of antipasti, salads and pizzas with a varied selection of pasta dishes. Entrees include chicken, steak, pork, lamb, seafood and a crispy polenta dish that I'm having on my next visit. In case you're wondering the other place is The Casa about 1 block from the Flying Fork. read more

Flying Fork was such a delightful surprise. First, the food: from the beginning when they brought out fresh focaccia and fragrant olive oil for dipping, it was terrific. I had no idea how badly I was craving the wild arugula salad with dried cherries and goat cheese till I tasted it. My husband and I split the pasta special, a spinach fettuccine with gorgonzola cream, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts. It was perfect. Our kids loved their dishes, too -- one had a simple margherita pizza, and the other had the gemelli. For dessert, the panna cotta with balsamic strawberries that we shared was beautiful to see and to eat. Soda fans, try the tangerine Italian or the root beer. The only mis-step was my husband's beer, which was flat, but our server replaced it gratis with a better and peppier brew. Which brings me to the staff: they were exemplary. They're clearly well-chosen and then well-trained to be attentive and friendly but not over-familiar, genuinely kind, and knowledgeable about the food, with opinions about what's good. They were lovely with our kids, too. We ate in the patio, so I have nothing to say about the interior, but after a day spent in the arid landscape of this region, the garden setting under pear trees surrounded by herbs and flowers was a welcome oasis. read more

As a Paonia local, I love the fact that we have a restaurant (The Flying Fork) that is good enough to thrive in any major market like Denver or Chicago, right here in our tiny mountain town! My wife and I have had many dinners at the Flying Fork and we keep going back because the quality and consistency of the food is always high. I have traveled throughout the US and Europe and I am always amazed at how easy it is to get a quality gourmet meal right here in Paonia. Kelly, the owner/chef, uses as much local produce as possible. He also serves local wines as well as wines from California and Italy. Try the Manzo or the Colorado rack of lamb! yum. read more

Moved into town and this was our take-out go to when things at the farm were very unorganized. Awesome dishes and the counter server was always kind and hospitable. The food was well put together and stood the test of carry-out. Tried the pasta dishes (love the app size) pizza, brochette, salad, and dessert, only the pizza could use a little work. Kudos to a great cafe! read more

I really wish i took a picture of my chicken piccota because it was delicious and well presented. the service was super nice and welcoming. the atmosphere was like a peaceful escape. they would prefer reservations but are very accomidating to walk ins. read more

This little place had good food and service. The pasta was fresh and we enjoyed the local ingredients. From a Los Angeles girl, this dinner could go up against some of my favorites here in LA. read more

Wonderful Italian We had the salad with the stuffed bread. Delicious. Then we ate the pasta. Fresh sauce Great pasta. Do not miss this restaurant. read more