I hate when I go to a fancier dinner, whether special occasion or not, and something lacks. I expect better food, fantastic service, and pretty much a great overall experience. Tavernetta, without a doubt, delivered and surpassed on all fronts. We went there for my birthday dinner, as my go-to is Italian food. My wife booked me a reservation, and we couldn't have been happier with our experience there, definitely didn't regret our restaurant selection, and know that a return trip probably will happen. As far as points of contacts, Nick was our server, and was perfectly there for every need without being intrusive, and answered all questions about the menu with confidence and an awesome personality. Connor was our wine expert, and talked us through all options after we explained what we were looking for. Seth was the manager who greeted us later in the meal with a very personable table touch. Wife and I did the Tiberio red, and it was great. We did the carpaccio (add focaccia bread on the side per Nick's recommendation), and added the burrata also as a starter. The carpaccio was literally phenomenal, the burrata was no slouch, and both left us plenty of room for dinner while delighting our tastebuds. Whenever I think it will be incredible, I sometimes pick the boring lasagna choice, my personal favorite dish, but have found over the years that it is hard to be incredible and unique. I got it (after Nick vouched for it) and I was NOT disappointed. One of my favorite lasagnas of all-time. Wife got the gnocchi and it was also delicious. The place had the perfect atmosphere, with uplifting energy, but still classy and you felt like you were in your own world. They had an open kitchen with a whole other dining room in the back. The bar also had a cool vibe, and seemed great if you were just swinging by for drinks. Overall, this place was amazing. I highly recommend Tavernetta, and see you there... read more

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The ambiance was not what one might expect from the externally view of the building. It's bright and a bit noisy inside. The tables and chairs are not what one would expect either - chairs felt a little low, maybe, and the materials felt somewhat cheap. That said, we enjoyed our dinner here last week. While we enjoyed the foccacia and burrata, likely will not order this again. The dipping oil had a nice vinegary bite and i preferred the texture in the oil to the super-crunch of the gremolata that came with the burrata. We were both a bit surprised by the flavors of the ragu, which had notes of a current caramel and an overall deliciously complex flavor. Same with the olive oil cake, which starts off with a savory, complex flavor but endsjust sweet enough. We also enjoyed the superbly prepared Branzino, which had flavors that, while not necessarily surprising, were different from other branzino dishes we've had. The topper was excellent service. David was exceptional. Polished, welcoming, well-timed. I could certainly see us returning. read more

I hate to do this and you can tell from other reviews this is rare for me. For an establishment of this caliber, so many things went wrong for us. To start, my husband has a severe nut allergy and we were very clear with the bartender about this. Midway through happy hour, upon receiving his second cocktail, he started to have a reaction. She said there was absolutely no nuts in anything we had received. 5 minutes later she had the realization that she had made 3 cocktails with WALNUT LIQUOR in the same device with a rinse and would have the other side of the bar remake his drink. She never even apologized. Add cold meatballs, gummy focaccia and mediocre at best apps and pasta and we will not be returning. The fact that we paid a premium price for poor everything ruined our night. read more

Came in for drinks and small bites; more than anything else, I loved the atmosphere at the bar, which even at 4 PM on a Thursday was pretty jammed and was completely full by 4:30 last week. The food was a mixed bag, but one dish was a standout--I'm forgetting the name, but it almost seemed like "baby's first grilled cheese sammie" but in a very elevated format. It came with a dip that was sensational and made me think there's a lot more going on under the hood than initially expected. A little hard to find from the street, so use GPS to find this if you are dropped off from an Uber and realize that the restaurant is not exactly where you thought! read more

From the moment we walked in, this restaurant impressed on every level. The atmosphere is warm and refined, with an open kitchen that allows you to watch the chefs quietly and skillfully work their magic--a beautiful touch that sets the tone for the experience ahead. Service was impeccable from start to finish. Every interaction felt thoughtful and genuine, especially when the sommelier came over to help us select a bottle of wine that paired perfectly with our meal. The staff clearly takes pride in creating an unforgettable evening. We started with the focaccia bread, beef carpaccio, and scallops--all of which were prepared with incredible balance and flavor. For our mains, we shared the special of the night: halibut, along with the gnudi pasta dish. Each plate was not only beautifully presented but thoughtfully composed. I also have to mention the aesthetic details--the glassware and dishes are absolutely stunning, and they elevated the dining experience even further. Dessert was the highly recommended tiramisu. Now, I've had countless tiramisus in my life, so I wasn't expecting much. But let me tell you--it was hands-down one of the best I've ever had. Light, rich, and completely unforgettable. Yes, it's a pricey restaurant--but every dollar feels well spent for this level of quality, creativity, and care. I can't wait to return. read more

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Wow! Grabbed a last minute reservation for Happy Hour here and was not disappointed. Tried the infamous pasta flight, arancini, focaccia, and desserts. Each pasta was a half serving of each and was plenty for 2 to share when paired with other options, or for 2 people with smaller appetites by itself. It was hard to pick a favorite- I really enjoyed that there were two bucatini options and rigatoni options. Can be pricey, but worth the trip during happy hour! read more

I've been here with my mom for happy hour and we enjoyed all the food, so decided to come back for dinner with my husband to celebrate my birthday. The staff was great at greeting me and wishing all me a happy birthday, so that was really nice. For food, we started with the burrata and foccacia bread - which you can never go wrong with. Then we ordered the rigatoni and lamb, and the brandzino. Both were delicious! The only thing is that the pasta was a little undercooked - when biting into it you could see the uncooked center. Our server came to check up on us shortly after the food arrived, which didn't give us a chance to tell her, and didn't come back until we were ready to order dessert. We ended up eating it all but it was a little disappointing that it was harder to chew. As for dessert, we got the budino and tiramisu. Both were really good but the tiramisu was definitely the star! I'd have to say one of the best I've ever had. read more

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I wanted to eat at a Michelin star restaurant for my birthday. The exceptional cuisine and outstanding reviews made Tavernetta an ideal choice. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated. and treated with impeccable service, making us feel like royalty. With an upscale modern decor. On our way to our seats we walked by their open kitchen. It was very impressive to see. We started with drinks, carrying out my quest to find the best Espresso Martini, I'm sorry to say this one didn't even make it on my list. I opted for the sea bass, presented in a manner I found unappealing, with the head and tail attached. However, the dish's taste was outstanding. Besides that side step everything was top notch. Mouth watering delicious. A delightful touch at the end of dinner was the candle accompanying my tiramisu, perfectly concluding my birthday celebration. read more

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Highly recommend! Came during HH and the Cacio de Pepe was delicious. Arrived around 5:30 and was able to sit outside without an issue. Service was attentive and excellent. Happy hour had discounted wines, appetizers, and a pasta flight. read more

I was a bit disappointed with the food here. We got the carpaccio to start and it was wayy too salty for us. For entrees, I got the ragu pasta which was pretty good and my boyfriend got the duck liver? pasta which he didn't like. Overall the food was a bit salty but the service was nice. They gave us a free glass of champagne to celebrate our anniversary. The restaurant itself is pretty and has a nice, upscale atmosphere. read more

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I came here with a party of 10 and we got a separate room that was all glass where we were able to see the kitchen and Denver. Our waiter Ryan was fantastic, he explained the menu to all of us and shared his recommendations with wine pairings. The menu is small so we ended up ordering one of everything and did a family style. Would highly recommend, you can order anything on the menu and you will not be disappointed!! read more

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Tavernetta strikes me as a special occasion spot, and we were celebrating. It's a little expensive, but not overly so, and isn't everything these days? The decor is modern -- lots of metal, wood and glass. The staff is solicitous, but not intrusively so. They're all very friendly. Our party of five was sharing everything, so we started off with delicious cocktails including an exceedingly smooth Old Fashioned and a delightful Gin and Tonic -- old standards are a great gauge. The Alpenglow, with rye, dram, dola dira and oj, was the table favorite. Foccacia and Burrata are two separate appetizers, but they work very well together, so order both! The Sourdough Crostini was a surprise, not at all what I anticipated, but tasty nevertheless. We followed with Bucatini, Pasta Al Forno (which this date was described as an oxtail lasagna), NY Strip, and the fish special -- halibut. Bucatini - very good. Pasta al Forno -- not sure what to say here. In my head, both lasagna and oxtail suggest "hearty." This was neither. It was possibly a three inch green layered square, possibly 1" tall. Flavorful, but not overly impressive. The halibut -- I can never cook this properly at home, and here, it was beautiful and delicious -- a close second to the ... NY Strip -- star of the show. Ordered medium, to meet the preferences of the table, but it arrived looking more medium rare, which was great (selfishly, that is my preference). Everyone loved it! We shared a bottle of red, chosen with a little guidance from the sommelier, and it was quite tasty. Finally, the dessert menu did not immediately impress anyone at the table, but we took a chance on two -- the Capuccino Budino and the Crostata di Rabarbaro. The first was absolutely lovely. The flavor was spot on! The second, a small fruit tart that was very pretty and tasty to boot. Give this spot a try! read more

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One of the best Italian spots in the city!! The burrata was one of the best I have ever had, bursting with flavor from the pesto. The pappardelle pasta was just wow. It melted in your mouth! We also had the pork though it was good I am not sure I would order it again mainly because I am such a pasta lover. The pasta and apps are the true draw here. I also loved the intimate environment curated here with dim lighting. Perfect spot for a date night! read more

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I really enjoyed tavernetta! It's Michelin recommended and has a lovely upscale vibe. I was given the rec by a friend just a few days before I wanted to eat here while on a trip, and they had no reservations. I tried my luck at walking in and they had a spot at the bar after a 25 min wait. I opted to wait, went for a walk around union station in the meantime. The place did not disappoint! They made me a mocktail that was floral because I told them I like floral drinks - it was orange blossom syrup based and more or less tasted like a creamsicle with a slightly stronger flavor (which I really enjoyed!). They had a special menu for their (I think?) 10 year anniversary, and I ordered the gnocchi which was so lovely. I had a peach panna cotta dessert and it was very smooth and lovely. I left very comfortably full - spent about $78 including tax and tip? Wasn't bad. They had immaculate bathrooms as well, of course! Parking would have to just be downtown paid/street parking, unless you took public transit into downtown. It is conveniently right at the union station platform so if you need a meal just after coming/before going somewhere on the train (eg the airport), this is a great option! I would go back for sure! read more

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We loved everything about this restaurant -- the perfect choice! The service was excellent, and the food was outstanding. The Branzino was the star -- incredibly delicious, perfectly seasoned, and beautifully prepared. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Denver. read more

My husband surprised me for my birthday and took me to this amazing Italian restaurant! The food rivaled many of the meals we had in Italy! We shared amazing whole grilled Branzino, the Lamb Ragù and Pecorino Romano Rigatoni and the Maine Lobster, Calabrian Chile, Preserved Tomato and Celery Tagliatelle & Tiramisù for dessert! The entire staff were kind, friendly & very knowledgeable about the menu. Definitely get reservations far in advance! read more

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We went for happy hour, and it was pretty nice. Very crowded, which speaks to its popularity. We had to wait for about 15 minutes to get a seat at the bar, but I liked that it was orderly and organized. Service was friendly and professional. The place was clean and our waters were filled regularly. I did not love the smell in the air. Perhaps better ventilation needed? Smells like old cooked cheese. We ordered a few appetizers and the pasta flight. The pasta flight is a great concept. Pasta itself was pretty good, but didn't blow our minds. Other appetizers were decent too. I would say that the price was insanely high. Happy hour prices were better than the menu prices we saw, but even that was too high. If I'm paying those prices, I want to have my mind blown. We were impressed by the tiramisu though. Possibly the best in Denver. We would come back just to order the tiramisu again. If there was only 1 thing you could try here, I would say skip the pasta and get the tiramisu. I'd give a 3.5 if I could, but I'll round up to 4 because of the staff. read more

A little torn as i really enjoyed the soup and the pasta but I really only came here to try the lobster pasta and didn't know it was only available for dinner read more

Great walk in happy hour and lunch deal. Burrata salad is delicious and service at bar is quick to get in and out on a work day. Great wine list and the tomahawk steak looked amazing read more

WOW, just wow... I see why this restaurant is Michelin rated as is now one of the best restaurants I've tried. This restaurant is very unique as they are always changing their menu but still have a handful of items on the menu that does not change. This makes me want to come back all the time to try everything! The food is to die for! We started off with the freshly made focaccia and the burrata. Don't skip on either of these as it was unlike any other focaccia and burrata I've ever had! You won't regret it. For the main entree we got the gnudi pasta and it was one of the most flavorful meal I've ever had. It was rich, not too rich, creamy, and delicious! We also tried the rigatoni which is a classic favorite and doesn't get removed from the menu, also very good! The service was excellent, we were very well taken care of and was given a tasting of their special wine for our anniversary which made it special. 100% would come back and would 100% recommend anyone to come here to try it or for a nice date night! read more

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First the pros. The Ambiance was lovely, especially in the lounge but we were less impressed with the ambiance in the back dining room area. The service was excellent in both the lounge and the dining room. The food was good but not great and we felt the portions of food were incredibly disappointing, especially considering the price. In the lounge we got the ROBIOLA E FRUTTA on the Happy Hour menu which was literally a dime size serving of soft cheese and a dime size serving of fruit jam. No cracker even to eat it with. Definitely not worth the $10 price. For dinner we got 2 specials which were tasty but if we had not also gotten sides we would have walked out hungry. So for 2 cocktails each, a couple of very small appetizers, 2 very small main dishes, 2 sides and one dessert we spent $250. We tried it once but will likely not return. read more

La Tavernetta! White tablecloths, leather banquettes, muted lighting, as you enter you know you'll spend a lovely evening with friends and family. Service is attentive and helpful in suggesting wines and describing ingredients of dishes. We started with one of my favorites--fritto misto. Delicious. The menu is filled with authentic Italian dishes cooked to perfection. A must if you love Italian food. read more

The food was absolutely delicious! We shared the focaccia and burrata (perfect pairing). I had the rigatoni (lamb ragu) - the flavors were so savory. The tagliatelle (lobster tomato sauce) and parpadelle (mushroom, corn, peach sauce) were also really good, but I thought the lamb ragu was the best for my taste buds. Service was pleasant and professional. We sat outside which was nice to watch the trains. I'd def recommend Tavernetta to a friend. read more

Tavernetta - Focaccia and burrata - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Burrata - the flavors and textures are so on point I could cry Focaccia - absolutely phenomenal and I would highly recommend pairing with the burrata Insalata Mista - crisp lemony and refreshing Ribeye - the meat was cooked perfectly with the perfect crust, the veggies that came with it were meh, sauce was solid Gnocchetti - the most pillowy delicious little balls and the flavor was amazing Our server was Elaine and she was phenomenal read more

Tavernetta - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Cool spot in a great area--warm vibe, excellent Italian food, and caring service. A++!

Tavernetta was excellent. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully done, and the service was polished without feeling stiff. The atmosphere felt upscale but still warm and comfortable, which made it a great spot for a date night or nice dinner out. Definitely one of the better Italian restaurants in Denver, and I'd happily go back. read more

So incredible! We went on a Sunday evening and got sat at the bar immediately. We had the nicest server / bartender! We started with focaccia and olive oil dip with glasses wine which was perfect! We ordered the radiatore pasta and Cacio e pepe. This wasn't on the menu but our lovely server made it happen for me! We had an amazing experience and I can't wait to go back! read more

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Honestly on the edge of a 2/5, unfortunately. Really had high hopes coming here. I'm really not a picky eater but for the price, I thought there really wasn't incredible flavor. We got the tagliatelle and the rigatoni. The rigatoni with lamb ragu was definitely better than the tagliatelle with lobster. The rigatoni was a nice salty flavor but nothing too deep. The tagliatelle really just tasted oily and didn't have much lobster at all. Our service was great and the restaurant is definitely upscale and nice atmosphere! We got the Venetian spritz and it was really really really good! If it weren't so pricy I would love to come back and try more stuff but unfortunately I don't think I will read more

Tavernetta - Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Lovely atmosphere and nice servers! They also validate parking in the adjacent garage. Great presentation as well.

I have never received service as excellent as Tavernetta. This restaurant is the pinnacle of being attentive to its customers. Everything was so coordinated and our waitress was so well spoken. The ambiance was also great for a date night, but for me this place screams special occasions between a spouse or significant other. The food was excellent and crafted with care. They have a sommelier for the perfect wine choice. Appetizers I loved were the Buratta, Focaccia, cheese plate, and meat plate. I had gnocchi as my main dish and although it was very good, I should have went with my gut on the steak. That is just me knowing I like to eat protein, but the gnocchi was fantastic nonetheless. I would 100% come here again for special occasions. read more

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I went with some friends for happy hour on a Saturday afternoon and it was lovely! I tried their two different spritzes and they were both tasty. The orange ginger one was different and I really enjoyed it. The pasta flight was delicious! Definitely recommend checking it out and sharing small plates with a group. The waitstaff were helpful and friendly. read more

Lovely dining experience for lunch plus wine pairing! I was so glad my friend booked this two course lunch for us. We were seated at the bar and our bartender was so nice and attentive and recommended some cold drinks. Their Italian food was so good and filling and they have vegetarian options available. Wine pours could be a little more generous for a pairing but still lovely! read more

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Upscale Italian at upscale prices? What's not to love? Do try to make a reservation, though. Unfortunately, we're past the price range of Italian restaurants that offer free bread, but the focaccia is a great starter - warm and fresh, as it should be. The burrata was also fantastic (you can't go wrong with spreading cheese on bread!), but do note that it doesn't come with bread itself. The crudo was incredibly fresh and it felt like the prawns had been caught within the hour. As for the entrees, the rigatoni was by far my favorite. Cheesy, chewy, savory, and delectable, this was wholeheartedly the best pasta of the night. It definitely helped fill the "no free bread"-sized hole in my stomach. The garganelli was good but a bit disappointing, as the flavor was a bit on the heavier side, and the duck seemed like an afterthought and was sprinkled among the pasta noodles. The lobster tagliatelle was pretty good and had a light spicy note that helped enhance the dish. The steak was incredibly well-cooked and very tender, and it had this absolutely beautiful sear that produced that perfect, not too hard crust that all steaks desire, much like how I desired more bread, preferably free. Paired with the potatoes, it made for a balanced, hearty feast. A great place for a fancy dinner. You'll be impressed. read more

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Honestly the food had no love and limited it's potential by trying so hard to be fancy. had the coniglio. Mid. Honestly never had rabbit but im sure I just had what everyone else is having. Can't possibly be on the lookout from Michelin. So much to learn. read more

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My boyfriend and I were in town from Arizona to celebrate our 4 year anniversary and I am very happy we made a reservation at Tavernetta. We walked in and you see a beautiful open dining area. We got to sit next to the kitchen and it was really cool seeing how they operate. The staff was very friendly, the service and hospitality was top notch! Our server was very thorough about the menu and telling us other off menu items they had today. We started with the Fritto Mistro and it was perfect in every way, the breading itself had such great flavors, ours came with branzino. The fried lemons were actually really good!! Our second course was the Tagliatelle and the Doppio Ravioli. The Tagliatelle was so flavorful, there was a lot going on but everything married together so well. The Doppio Ravioli was so simple but so delicious. I actually really loved that the tomato was inside of the ravioli instead of the ravioli being in a tomato sauce. I loved having the lighter sauce because you can really tell the focal point of the dish is the homemade pasta. We finished with an Affogatto and Cortado. The honey gelato was so yummy!! Whenever we are in Denver again we will definitely be coming back!! If you are celebrating anything definitely consider Tavernetta. read more

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Had such a great experience dining here! The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about all of their items. Our server was more than happy to expand on anything we asked about. The sommelier was also fantastic with helping us choose. We started out with some Krug (not pictured) which I've been wanting to try for a long time. This was their Grande Cuvee 169EME and it was probably the best Brut I've ever had. To start I had the crudo and it was a bright and refreshing starter. The fennel and the chilis went well together. For my pasta I had the rigatoni. Such a great and deep lamb ragu. Pasta was cooked to perfection and the sauce just kept giving. For the second I my friend and I split the agnello. By this point I was already very full and let my friend handle most of the dish but I did get in a few very tasty bites. The lamb loin was soft and moist and the pistachios gave a nice texture to balance it out. This place is a 10/10 and I am for sure coming here next time I'm in Denver. I would also like to try out there other concepts as well! read more

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It was our first time dining at Tavernetta and I really wasn't expecting much, since Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen these days, but i was so impressed with the quality and flavor of the food. We started with the burrata and beef carpaccio as apps (both were superb). Next, we each ordered a homemade pasta dish as our main. My boyfriend ordered the Tagliatelle with main Maine Lobster and our friend chose the DOPPIO RAVIOLI with Winter pear, Gorgonzola, Brown Butter and Sage. I sampled each of them, but my favorite by far was my dish: the GARGANELLI with Braised Duck, Spelt and Pecorino. It was incredibly savory and melt in your mouth delectable. I could seriously eat their pasta dishes on the daily! Really outstanding restaurant with excellent food and first-rate service. 10/10. read more

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Tavernetta is a Michelin restaurant, and they truly deserve the accolades. The service, the atmosphere, and the food--absolute perfection! We dined there for NYE lunch yesterday, an unforgettable experience. We Toasted the New Year with two glasses of Processo, then we opted for the 1/2 a glass of wine pairing to immerse ourselves in the whole lunch experience. We savored the ZUPPA DEL GIORNO soup and shared the MAFALDINE pasta: Lamb Ragu, Pecorino Romano with gluten-free pasta, alongside the BRANZINO: Grilled Sea Bass, Farro Verde, Fennel, Apple, Kohlrabi. Every bite was a delight, with each wine thoughtfully matched to enhance our lunch. Our heartfelt thanks to Casey and Isaac, the bartenders; Aisylin, the dining manager who served us; and Nick, our server, for making our experience truly special. read more

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I had Tavernetta on my list for a while ever since they received a Bib Gourmand. I thought the food was good as well as the service. Loved that they offered to take my coat, you think it's something so simple but when you don't have it you realize how much you want it. Our waiter was very attentive and made great recommendations. I enjoyed everything we had, my husband thought the squid ink pasta and the veal antipasti dishes were too "fishy." We did not try dessert. Overall I would say it's a great date night spot. read more

Tavernetta - Squid ink pasta (top), Zucca Picatta (middle), lamb ragú (bottom) - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Tavernetta is a dining experience. It's much more than a place to nourish oneself. I'm a firm believer and avid proponent that a 5-star meal can be found just about anywhere. It's all subjective, right? Well, Tavernetta is built different. From the moment you enter you can tell you're not in any ordinary restaurant. It's a song and dance that you're immediately immersed in. You're greeted not by one, not by two, but probably by seven people within minutes of entering and sitting down. It sways on the side of fine dining, but it's notable to emphasize how approachable Tavernetta is. It's not stuffy, not pretentious, it's hospitality by textbook definition. And in my opinion, quite possibly the best overall service in all of Denver. Now, let's talk food. The wife wanted a nice meal for her birthday and Tavernetta delivered just that. Here are a few dishes that stood out. FOCACCIA ($7) // Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, Grana Padano. House made. Light and airy, like biting into a cloud. Even without oil and vinegar it was exquisite. BURRATA ($19) // Trapanese Pesto, Focaccia Breadcrumbs, Basil. One of the best presentations and executions of burrata I've had. This entire dish is everything I love about my Italian heritage. Combine it with the Focaccia bread and you can die on the spot. CARPACCIO ALLA CIPRIANI ($22) // Grass Fed Beef, Grana Padano, Espelette. Not for the faint of heart. Up there with the incredible carpaccios around. Rich, buttery, salty, it just melted in my mouth. TAGLIATELLE ($34) // Maine Lobster, Calabrian Chile, Preserved Tomato, Celery. House made pasta and you can taste the difference. My only critiques are I would've loved more of a punch from the chile and the lobster not being diced too small so I could've gotten more of a pronounced seafood flavor. Still well composed and worthy of recognition. Back to the point I made earlier, the hospitality was extraordinary. Yes, you have many folks dining here for a special occasion, but to be honest for the level of service I expected the bill to be $100 more. From the wine recommendations to the multiple servers constantly bussing the table or refilling water glasses, going over the daily specials or taking orders without writing anything down, you simply cannot say one critical thing service wise. Come for the wonderful Italian meal, stay for the PERFECT hospitality. read more

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