Jovanina's Broken Italian

"Upstairs, banquettes beckon and candles flicker; downstairs, the subterranean wine cellar feels like a well-kept secret. In short, there’s not a bad table in the house ambiance-wise at this Italian go-to in LoDo. Nor is there a bad dish to choose to reinforce the mood: From roasted oysters with herbed breadcrumbs and rosemary-smoked bone marrow to calamarata in elk Bolognese and crispy porchetta with creamy polenta in cherry demi-glace, it’s all hearty enough to share." - Ruth Tobias

"Nothing like eating pizza by candlelight. This Italian date-night go-to in LoDo only offers three to choose from, but they’re all as well-designed as the atmosphere is romantic — be it the signature (and nicely spicy) fennel sausage pie with smoked mozz, caramelized onion, and Calabrian chili crunch or the fancy twist on a Margherita with burrata, arugula, and garlic-parmesan chips." - Gigi Sukin, Paul Albani-Burgio, Ruth Tobias

"Vintage accents and candles on every table lend this LoDo hot spot half its considerable charm; the food does the rest. Like the wallpaper gracing one side of the dining room (take a close look), almost every dish takes an unexpected and delightful turn, be it bolognese made with elk and rosemary mascarpone, radishes poached in ’nduja butter and served with a garnish of pickled beech mushrooms and grilled sourdough, or cannoli filled with Earl Grey–infused ricotta — and the cocktails follow suit: Take, for example, the Friend of the Devil with mezcal, pisco, Ruby Port, Cynar, and mint grenadine." - Eater Staff, Ruth Tobias

"A key component to the mastery of a skill is knowing when to break the rules. As its name implies, Jovanina’s Broken Italian breaks away from the traditional rules and expectations of Italian cuisine with the measured confidence of a master. Owners Jennifer and Jake Linzinmeir bring years of restaurant experience, both in the kitchen and in management, to Jovanina's, which allows them to find an approachable balance of new flavors and classic dishes to the menu. The airy ground-floor space feels festive, with whitewashed brick walls along one side and a bar running the length of the other; a downstairs wine-bar dining area has a quieter, more intimate vibe. Try any of the handmade pasta specials or go with the favorite: a brick-oven pizza topped with fennel sausage, smoked mozzarella, and caramelized onions"

"Without all the fuss, this new LoDo Italian restaurant adds a few different dishes to its menu for the holiday — mushroom soup, beet pasta, and a chocolate tic-tac-toe bar — for friends or family to enjoy together." - Camila Navarrette, Josie Sexton