When people ask me what my favorite Italian restaurant in Denver is, I proudly say, “Barolo!” To which they reply, “I’ve never heard of that! Tell me more!” Ok I will
Barolo Grill, for some reason, flies under the radar, but has hands down the best Italian food in Denver. They are a rather large restaurant off 6th, right before Saint Paul (where you may have watched an Alabama game at The Irish Hound once or twice). The atmosphere is romantic, with dimly lit rooms and an Italian feel to everything. I’ve been to Barolo only for the most special of occasions because it’s rather pricey, or for Denver Restaurant Week or Dining Out for Life. (If you don’t know- Dining Out for Life is an annual fundraiser for to fight AIDS all around the country, and benefits Project Angel Heart in Denver. Mark your calendars for April 28th!) But I digress…Barolo and their amazing food…
They serve this ridiculously amazing mushroom risotto, which has to be among my Top 5 favorite dishes in Denver. Also, their rosemary and olive oil bread rolls actually change your life. They somehow infuse the rolls with all the right flavor, with some sea salt, olive oil, spices. They are perfectly baked every time. I always eat my roll really slowly, because I know the deliciousness is temporary and it makes me sad that it’s almost over. (They do bring out more than 1 roll, but then you have to practice self control, otherwise you won’t be hungry for the rest of it.)
We recently went there for a friend’s 30th birthday. We got seated in the back wine cellar room because we were such a big group and so rowdy. Because it was a special occasion, we all did the tasting menu and weren’t the least bit disappointed.
When I got the menu, I immediately scanned it for the mushroom risotto and started getting nervous when I didn’t see it on the menu! I asked the waiter, and he said they only have it sometimes. I felt quite disappointed, but also knew that whatever else I ate in its place would be just as good (and might be a good way to get me out of my mushroom risotto rut and force me to explore other things on the menu). Imagine my surprise when the primi course comes out, and the waiter sets in front of me…MUSHROOM RISOTTO. It was just about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I was so wowed.
Great food and great service? It’s just the best.
Without further adieu, pictures of the food, by order on the menu.
Antipasti & Insalate:
While everyone else got the salad, my friend and I opted for the cheese souffle. Always the right choice. Also, a picture of the roll from heaven. Go eat it now.
Primi:
All of it was so good! Lobster risotto, goat bolognese pasta, ahi tuna spaghetti, butternut squash & brown butter tortelli, and of course, THE mushroom risotto.
Secondi:
Amazing! Colorado lamb shank (It’s hard to explain to you how darn big it was. The picture doesn’t do it justice. And you just pick it up by the bone and tear into it. A meat-lovers dream!), pork tenderloin with apples, and scallops with butternut squash puree.
Contorni:
And to finish, creme brulee bigger than my head, and gelato. For the record, this is the correct color of pistachio gelato.
Sidenote: They aren’t open on Sunday or Monday, and are only open for dinner.
Barolo Grill: 3030 East 6th Avenue Denver, CO 80206