Let’s talk about pasta. Over the past few weeks, I have thought a lot about my favorite pasta dishes in Denver and the lovely chefs who cook them for us. Pasta comes in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors that it has been a challenge to narrow down my favorites to five. It is time now for a Denver pasta roundup.
After eating more pasta over the last few weeks than I would like to admit and narrowing down some of my personal favorites, my overall conclusion is that there is so much good Italian food in our city. These five are just a taste of what Denver has to offer, and I would encourage you to get out there and eat some pasta. So grab a glass of wine, tuck a napkin into the front of your shirt, pop a Tums, and let’s eat.
My list of five is in no particular order. I have chosen two new favorites, two old favorites, and a final pick that is the best pasta dish I have had all year. It might have been the wine or the company, but I haven’t enjoyed eating Italian food this much in a long time. As our city continues to grow, so does our food scene and the number of chefs who want to be a part of it.
Johnny Bechamel's Pappardelle
The first pasta dish on my list comes from the new-ish restaurant from Mama’s and Papa’s Hospitality Group, Johnny Bechamel’s. Although it might not be the old-school pasta house Denver loves, Johnny Bechamel’s brings a fresh look to Italian food in south Denver.
The pasta that swept me off my feet was the pappardelle. Although this dish has seen a few iterations, the particular version I enjoyed so much was made with smoked pork shoulder ragu, Palisade peaches, pickled mustard seeds, and ricotta salata. This dish gave me everything I want in a hot-weather classic: sweet and tart peaches, fatty pork shoulder, and the occasional pop of acidic mustard seed.
Although this dish is far from your grandfather’s pappardelle with ragu, it offers a sophisticated take on a classic and is a must-try before the season ends. Along with amazing pasta, Johnny Bechamel’s offers fantastic small plates to share, light and flaky pizza, and, of course, cold drinks to wash it all down.
Carmine's on Penn's Carbonara
Second on my list comes from a Denver staple and a restaurant I have been visiting since I was a kid. The carbonara from Carmine’s on Penn, located just north of Wash Park on South Penn and East Bayaud, is about as classic as it gets.
Although seemingly simple, carbonara is all about technique. Unlike other pasta dishes, where the sauce is made in advance and combined with the pasta on the plate, carbonara is made fresh in a pan every time an order is placed. Butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and egg yolks combine with old-world magic to create a velvety, rich sauce.
Carmine’s takes this tradition seriously and does not disappoint with its homage to the old country. If you have yet to try this lovely pasta dish, or visit Carmine’s at all, make an effort to go. It will become a fast favorite. Carmine’s on Penn offers a large menu of Italian classics, a robust wine list, and pairings for any outing.
Florence Supper Club's Orecchiette
The third pasta to make my list comes from another new addition to Denver’s culinary scene. The orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe from Florence Supper Club, located three blocks south of Carmine’s, is simply damn good.
For me, this is nearly a perfect dish for summer. Spicy sausage and broccoli rabe are a match made in heaven, and tossed together with bite-sized orecchiette, they make for a fun take on classic Italian cuisine. The fantastic chefs behind Dio Mio and Redeemer Pizza have come through again with an instant classic.
It was very difficult to choose between all the amazing offerings from this team. Four months from now, I probably would have picked the spicy rigatoni alla vodka, but during these dog days of summer, the light, vegetable-based pasta hit the spot.
The small but very thoughtfully planned menu offers classic Italian flavors, making it difficult to pick just one or two favorites. Take your friends and family down to Florence Supper Club and make your way through their fantastic menu. Also, the escarole and white beans were a table favorite. Just order the whole menu and thank me later.
Dear Emilia's Campanelle
Fourth up on this pasta roundup is, without a doubt, the most elegant and sexy restaurant on my list. Located a few blocks northeast of downtown, Dear Emilia is a modern and elegant addition to Denver’s Italian restaurant family.
The menu can seem slightly overwhelming at first, but after spending some time with it, I found myself getting lost in it like an art piece. My featured dish from the menu is the campanelle pasta with sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Campanelle is a beautiful little pasta that always reminds me of jellyfish. Its small folds make it perfect for capturing sauce. This pasta dish was a perfect reflection of summer flavors. Deep, rich, creamy corn paired with acidic tomatoes had me savoring every bite. I would highly recommend making the journey downtown to visit this hidden gem.
Last but certainly not least is a family favorite. My dad would probably threaten never to speak to me again if I did not mention his favorite restaurant in town, which offers the quintessential pasta dish.
Gaetano's Spaghetti and Meatballs
When I walk through the doors of Gaetano’s in north Denver, I instantly feel like a kid again. A classic red-sauce joint, Gaetano’s has exactly what you want from a classic, family-owned Italian restaurant. From lasagna to spumoni ice cream, the team up north never disappoints.
I always try to order something new from the menu I have been reading my whole life, but on most visits, I have no need to even look. I’ll take the spaghetti and meatballs.
No self-respecting pasta list would be complete without the king of all pasta dishes, and the spaghetti and meatballs from Gaetano’s are about as classic as it gets. Paired with a bottle of Chianti and my closest family and friends, there are few places closer to my heart than Gaetano’s, and few places where I can eat more pasta than I probably should.
Although this list could go on and on, I have to wrap up this roundup at five. Summer is coming to an end, so before we bust out the snow tires, get out there and eat some pasta. Go visit my friends at all five of these amazing restaurants and then continue to explore. Denver is full of so many amazing places for pasta.
Which five are your favorites?