Italic Catering — Local services in Broomfield

It pains me to write this review because I really wanted to like this place. I had been eyeing their adorable backyard dining set-up advertised on social media since the summer, but my experience with Roots was such a bummer from start to finish.

I booked an igloo for the day before Valentines, specifically wanting to avoid the fixed Valentine's Day menu. A week later after putting down a $10/person non-refundable igloo fee, I was told that they would actually be serving the fixed menu on both weekend days for Valentine's. V-day reservations at other restaurants were already filling up by the time I got this notice, so I kept the reservation.

A few days before the dinner, I received a text asking me to specify what we wanted to order. What an unusual request, especially when the fixed menu already had few options. The dinner was supposed to be a surprise for my husband, so I couldn't provide this.

We arrived at 5pm sharp for our dinner reservations and after being seated, it was at least 15 minutes before our server came to greet us and briefly apologized about some mix-up with our reservations. Another 15 minutes went by (5:30pm) before we received our cocktails and appetizers at the same time. Second course of salads came immediately 5 minutes after that. Then our main course didn't arrive until 35 minutes after that (6:10pm). No additional clean silverware was provided with our main course, which seems standard for a nice restaurant. We ate our steak with butter knives. Our server never came to check on us even though we needed more cocktails and water in the meantime. It was very odd sitting in a cold igloo without any food or drinks to occupy us for such a long time. Not even any bread to tide us over. When our steaks finally came, the server did apologize for the wait and brought us two cocktails on the house, which was very nice. All might have even been forgiven at that point if things had turned around, but they didn't.

The dessert option with the fixed menu was sorbet, which seemed like a poorly planned dessert for the middle of winter in Colorado and especially for the single digit temps that we experienced on the night of our reservation. We had hoped to ask for our dessert to-go since the reservation had already taken so long and we were eager to leave the cold igloo, but the server brought our sorbet without checking on us again between the main course and dessert. When the sorbet was brought out, the server acknowledged and laughed that he forgot the spoons. We laughed too, expecting that he would be back with the spoons shortly after whisking away our dirty plates and forks, but after waiting 15 minutes, we gave up and ate the sorbet with the paper straws from our cocktails. The server eventually showed back up again 20 minutes after the dessert drop-off and still did not have spoons in hand and laughed that we were eating the dessert with straws (didn't apologize or seem to realize he forgot the spoons).

When we paid our bill, we were almost charged again for the igloo reservation fee until we inquired about whether the $20 fee we had already pre-paid weeks before would go towards our food/drink purchase (it does not). Was a bit caught off guard with the $20 "rental fee" that other restaurants are not charging for their igloos/greenhouses, and disappointed that the table wasn't at least decorated with something for nice ambiance for Valentine's Day, like flowers or a candle.

Food and drinks were great, but would not be back for the price and poor service. My husband and I have only dined out a handful of times during the pandemic, so it was a bummer that this was our experience, and on Valentine's Day...

Worst dining experience, Valentine's Day disaster. After seeing so many good reviews I booked this restaurant for the Saturday before Valentine's Day for my wife and I. Upon booking they have you select which preset Valentine menu you would like, prepay for the entire meal ($160), and then follow up with a text about the details to meal you selected (photo attached).

Upon arrival the first thing we noticed was that the restaurant was freezing! We selected to eat inside knowing that it was going to be cold, but it did not help. I would guess it was around 50 degrees inside and all of the guests were eating with there jackets on. My wife was wearing a dress which really didn't pan out well. We got seated and the server came up to confirm what we had preordered, it was the wrong order. So we went through the menu again in person and re-ordered. At this point it is already seeming a bit chaotic. We waited about 30 minutes until we got our drink order in (a bottle of wine). About 15 minutes later they brought us the bottle and apologized claiming the bar was backed up. Took 45 minutes to get an unopened bottle of wine. Once they got the wine to the table it was clear the server did not know how to use the bottle opener as she broke the cork at which point I just opened the bottle myself.

After about an hour they brought out what should have been the appetizer, but instead it was both the appetizer and the starter together. I am assuming they did this because they were already running so far behind they were trying to play catchup. The food was fine and we finished the dishes and waited for the main course. After an hour and a half they brought out the main course. Sure enough one of the dishes they brought out was the wrong one, keep in mind they only have 3 options and we had preordered and reordered this upon arrival. They go back to the kitchen and bring out the correct dish. My wife and I both cut into our medium rare steaks, and they are both WELL done (pictures attached). At this point it has just been one thing after the next, it is freezing cold and we haven't eaten our main course after about 2 hours... We ask to speak to the manager about a refund so we can leave. I have pulled hair out of my food before and continued to eat it without saying a word, so this is very out of character for me.

The manager (Amy) comes to our table. We explain everything that has happened and ask if we can just get a refund ($160) and leave. Instead of being apologetic or showing any sympathy Amy explains that she couldn't give us a full refund because we at the appetizer and starter (we did not eat the main course or dessert). Amy heads back to pack the rest of our bottle of wine and I assume issue a refund. She comes back 15 minutes later (so at this point we have been there for over 2 hours) and charges me $38 for the bottle of wine and does not give me any explanation as to if we will be seeing a refund (which we still have not seen). The manager was unprofessional and showed no empathy at all, didn't give us a refund or even comp the bottle of wine. Both the tables sitting next to us also said they would not be returning because they also had a terrible experience. I would not recommend eating here to anyone. I understand having an "off night" but for the manager to be just as miserable as our experience really was the final straw. We paid $160 for two salads, and $38 dollars to drink a bottle of wine...

The outdoor dining area provided a perfect setting for a relaxing environment for me and a friend to get together and chat and hang out. We arrived at 2:00pm on a Saturday to take advantage of the Happy Hour menu that begins at that time on Saturdays. The restaurant is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of Broomfield with plenty of free parking. The happy hour drinks are pretty much limited to servings of various spirits ( which is perfect for me) and a glass of wine. Breckenridge vodka is included in the happy hour selections as well. Love local spirits. I had the opportunity to try the Glengarry blended whisky for 6 bucks. We ordered a couple of the "noshes" tapas included in the happy hour menu. We went with the balsamic glazed bacon and blue brussels sprouts - excellent. Nicely charred brussels sprouts coated in a sweet balsamic glaze with blue cheese and bacon. There are other options for the glazes besides the balsamic. The truffle fries were good, perfectly seasoned however the truffled flavor was lacking a bit. We had the cauliflower wings battered and fried with a chickpea flour batter and served with ranch, carrot, and celery on the side. Nicely fried as well were the chick pea battered zucchini fritters. The outdoor seating area is extremely roomy with tables scattered across a vast grassy area and a concrete patio with tables situated under very large shade trees which was perfect for sitting at a table outside at 2:00pm. Our server named JJ (hope I got this right) was spot on, attentive, and provided info about the restaurant, history of the place and alerted us to the gazebo type bandstand in the outdoor area where bands play on Thursday nights. When we sat down at our table an aroma of enticing garlic filled the air. We asked JJ if this was coming from their kitchen and advised whatever it was we wanted some. He explained the chef was preparing dishes for an event they were catering at the Denver Botanical Gardens. The amazing aroma filling the outdoor area was the creation of garlic mashed potatoes for the event. Note to chef, make those potatoes every Saturday afternoon and I will be there sitting outside to intoxicate myself with that delightful aroma of garlic. I selected this place sight unseen because I read about it in a local publication describing the module of the restaurant, the details are included in their website. I love this concept and it was an extremely and surprisingly awesome experience for a perfect hang out with my friend as we relaxed in a comfortable shady outdoor area with great service (thanks again JJ) enjoying some yummy appetizers and sipping on some blended whisky. Wish I had discovered the little place earlier in the season before the cooler weather sets in. But as JJ told me, the outdoor area does not close during the winter as they have out door "igloos" that many restaurants used last year during the peak of the Pandemic with heaters to allow outdoor seating year round. JJ also informed us the igloos are currently used to grow herbs and such for the kitchen.- Love that multipurpose of use. I cannot wait to have another Saturday afternoon under the shade of those trees sipping another spirit and enjoying the conversation with friends. Thanks Roots for making my get together with my friend a better than expected event with your amazing...