"Tavernetta nails the Italian trifecta: good wine, handmade pastas, and great hospitality. But what makes this one of the best restaurants in the city is they also have one of the best steaks you can find in Denver—we’re talking about you, New York strip with charred eggplant and ricotta salata. Add on an after-dinner cookie plate, a spacious bar with a great spritz list, and a soul-warming fireplace, and you’ve got a restaurant you probably won’t want to leave (but eventually you’ll have to). While it’s not the cheapest—pastas can hit $38 and the grilled branzino rings in at $56—you’re guaranteed a beautiful meal in a beautiful setting." - allyson reedy
Casey Giltner