Luca — Restaurant in Denver

TLDR: $250 for a delicious but extremely disappointing experience, certainly not worth the money and we will sadly not be returning even though we live on the block. My partner and I ordered the tasting menu at the recommendation of the server. Although we are both skinny people with little appetites, we were hungry and were assured that the tasting menu was a large quantity of food, and that we were welcome to have the leftovers from each round boxed up and brought home with us. Sounded great! The meal started well, and every course was delicious, although there was less food than expected. We had no trouble finishing each of the starting rounds. When they brought out the pasta course, we were surprised to see they only brought one small dish of pasta for us to share. Although delicious, the small shared plate was weird. After all, we ordered two tasting menus. Perhaps they were getting us used to the idea, because the main course (steak) was shared as well. This was very disappointing. The steak was small, and mostly gristle. I have many photos of my partners grossed out face as she had a mouth full of gristle and didn’t know how to dispose of it at the table. I told the server and their response was, “But how was everything else?” Again, disappointing. The server bussed the steak dish and then disappeared. We were upset and ready to leave with nobody to tell. 20 minutes later they reappeared with dessert we no longer wanted because we had been sitting in the sun, unattended, with no water refills, for 20 minutes. On that note, I wouldn’t recommend sitting outside in the summer. We were seated in direct sunlight, and the water served was warm, with no ice. Perfect addition of insult to injury. We left disappointed and with no leftovers. The bill was $234 after their 22% service fee, and they asked for gratuity on top of that. We live on the block and have been looking forward to a meal here for a long while, but the experience felt lacking, lazy, and far overpriced for what was delivered. Hopefully they make some changes, because everything except for the steak really was tasty and fresh. 5/10 experience overall, and we now have to live with eternal sadness and ideas of what could have been every...

Pleasantly surprised given my preconceived notions with other Bonanno Concepts. It was quality Italian food that reminded me of the North East restaurants I grew up going to.

Rating: 4.6 Interior: The restaurant sits on a busy corner that hosts multiple Bonanno Concepts. The interior is intimately lit and each table has a small oil lantern that provides a soothing ambiance and that ever so sweet smell. There is a window into the kitchen which provides a birds eye view of what’s being prepared. The tables were spaced apart nicely and the overall ambiance said Colorado meets your Italian grandmother’s house. Food: The food for the most part was great. When you sit down you’re provided with an amuse-bouche which was really pleasant - cheese, pickled green beans, and some crouton’d bread. We ordered the Burrata Focaccia, Cast Iron Mussels, Pappardelle Bolognese, and ended with the Butterscotch Bread Pudding. We really enjoyed just about every dish. The Burrata comes out looking like a mini pizza as opposed to actual focaccia, and has a sweet tomato jelly that really added the right level of sweetness to counterbalance the acidity of the cheese. The mussels were not spectacular, I don’t think I’d order them again - they lacked a good deep herb or wine flavor you find in most white sauce mussels, and were overtaken for a more buttery white sauce. The bolognese was primo - a tad too salty, but the pasta was al dente just like my Sicilian family members love it. I really enjoyed every bite but thought it could have used some fresh cheese and pepper added at the table to kick up the experience. Lastly the butterscotch bread pudding - I’ll remember this dish for quite some time. It was lovely, the interior was fluffy and moist with a nice hardened outside, it seemed like each was individually made almost like a muffin.

Come back? : I asked Frank for recommendations via Twitter, and he came through with a good list (minus the mussels). I haven’t tried them all, but I’d like to after this past trip - plus I get to enjoy that bread...

Luca...what can I say? My first impression was I loved, being a local, that the restaurant was off the beaten path, but accessible. Great parking options, away from hustle & bustle.... although still close to downtown. The outside was fun & playful with tons of curb appeal.

Then enamored with everything already, we were sat by friendly, warm Jessica, at the perfect table. (Considering we had my friends baby with us.) Next, Stephen, with complimentary Prosecco in tow, introduced himself and started my personal love affair with Luca. He poured while telling us about the menu & answering a few of our questions. His answers, real, concise and very believable. He told us about the amazing value of the Lobster Pizza and the fact the Wild Mushroom Fusilli had been on the menu for 18 years! We ordered a Cauliflower Caesar salad to split as an appetizer, the Bucatini Pomodoro, the Pizza & Mushroom Fusilli and NOTHING disappointed. The Fusilli was other worldly, I can’t wait to have it again.

Our drinks were brought out quickly by Quinn, also a complete delight. Everything we ordered was top notch, different and delizioso!! After being so full we needed to go boxes, but, enjoying the delectable cream sauce, Quinn was so perceptive, with Stephen near by, they both decided to send us out more Focaccia bread to lap up our amazing sauce.

We declined dessert to just be delighted by a small morsel tasting of a chocolate moose to make the experience unforgettable. The perfect ending to a pristine dining experience.

Although the ambiance, food and Quinn & Jessica were wonderful, I have to say bravo one more time for how amazing of a waiter Stephen was. As stupendous as the food was, Stephen is who made it an experience to want to come back for. I will bring all my friends to Luca for special nights & will only be seated with Stephen. Also, can’t wait to be picking up food from Luca to go, to enjoy at home! Luca, from me.......