I legit have already made reservations at Tavernetta for when quarantine (is hopefully) over. It's definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in Denver - along with Barolo Grill & Quality Italian.

So let's run through some of Tavernetta's menu and some of my personal favs.

Formaggi - cheeses - BURRATA CON PESTO TRAPANESE.

This Burrata is solid. Beautifully balanced in taste with soft texture. 7/10 - I'm not a huge burrata fan so I don't feel this is a must order unless you love the stuff.

Antipasti - traditional first course of an Italian meal - we have had the CARPACCIO ALLA CIPRIANI and the CARCIOFÉ A CICORIA.

The CARPACCIO ALLA CIPRIANI is made with Grass Fed Beef, Grana Padano and Espelette.

The carpaccio is a must order here folks. It's completely unreal. Ross is even was on board with this app and he's not a big raw meat guy. The thinly sliced raw beef more or less melts in your mouth and the grana padano cheese and espelette pepper are the perfect flavor complements this dish asks for. Get ready to inhale this app and to be thinking about it for days after. 10/10.

The CARCIOFÉ A CICORIA is made with Baby Artichoke, Black Truffle, Chicory, and Sotocenere.

This app is a hard pass from me - too bitter for my liking. 1/10

Primi - first dishes - we have had the AGNOLOTTI, the TAGLIATELLE, and the GNOCCHI.

The TAGLIATELLE is made with Maine Lobster, Calabrian Chile, Preserved Tomato and Celery.

The tagliatelle is good but I wasn't blown away. The pasta comes a bit too al dente (hard) so if I try this pasta again, I will ask for them to cook the noodles a bit longer. This dish also came a bit lukewarm so the temp was off. However, the sauce and seafood of the tagliatelle are solid. 6/10

The GNOCCHI is made with Lamb Ragù and Pecorino.

Tavernetta's Gnocchi is a home run and everything you want from a comfort pasta - soft fluffly gnocchi pillows drenched in a piping, hearty lamb ragu. 10/10

The AGNOLOTTI is made with pear, pistachio and pasta parcels stuffed with goat cheese. This pasta is my absolute favorite from Tavernetta. I seriously can't say enough positive things about this dish.

Pasta - cooked perfectly and stuffed with soft fresh goat cheese. & then the pears, pistachios and sauce will have you licking your plate - beautiful, beautiful beautiful flavor combinations. This Agnolotti has a sweeter taste and is on the lighter side so pair it with a white wine per your sommelier’s recommendation. 10/10 MUST ORDER!

Secondi - second dishes - we have had the MANZO.

The MANZO is a NY Strip with Sunchoke and Black Truffle. The manzo is delicious but make sure you ask your waiter/waitress that it comes to you HOT. Unfortunately the two times we have ordered the manzo it was warm or (even worse) lukewarm which is not how you are going to want to eat this beautiful cut of meat. So just preface 'piping hot' because it is very tasty and worth ordering when it's HOT. 10/10 Hot. 5/10 warm.

For wine, a bottle of ROSSI (red) - 2013 Peter Dipoli, Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon "Iugum," Alto Adige. & HOLY WINE GODS YOU HAVE SMILED DOWN ON ME. Seriously guys this wine is so f*cking good. It's a classic savory red that goes down oh so smooth. Pair this with the Manzo and your taste buds will be singing.

For dessert, the TIRAMISU.

The TIRAMISU is made with Espresso, Rum, Mascarpone and Cocoa. This tiramisu is unlike any other I've tried - it's more dense rather than airy yet is still dreamily soft. Ross and I will normally split desserts but not this one lol - we each get our own because it's that damn good. 10/10. Must order!

Tavernetta

Address: 1889 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Menu: tavernettadenver.com
Phone: (720) 605-1889