Panzano — Restaurant in Denver

Soup was great. Service in the bar area was the worst. Dateline mid-October 2023. My wife and I tried to have desert here after an early dinner at a nearby French restaurant (French 75) and a subsequent walk about downtown.

When we were offered dinner menus, we told the waitress that we were just there for desert (maybe that's what set it up).

It had been a an hour and a half or so since we had eaten so we thought we would have soup first. We ordered the house soup. The first issue showed up here; only one serving was brought out, though we had plainly ordered soup for the two of us. After informing the person who brought the soup, the staff worked diligently to get us that missing serving; they seemed genuinely concerned about the error (4-stars for their service).

After we were done with the soup, we were ready for that desert. As the waitress kept walking by, always without acknowledgment of our presence, I began to try harder and harder, without resorting to a wild flail, but no luck in getting her attention. During this time, my wife suggested we just forget desert and I wholeheartedly agreed. Finally an almost completely wild flail drew her to our table so I could request the check, pay and leave.

We had stopped here to finish off a good day but left disgusted. Not a good end for such a good day.

What was the waitress thinking? That we were too cheap for her service? Maybe she didn't like older people (we are mid 60's)? What?

For the restaurant's sake, here are some details that my help you identify the who (the staff that brought the second bowl of soup may remember). We were seated in the bar area with our backs to Champa Street, 2nd table (?) to the east of the door on that side. The waitress was a bit tall, mid 30's, fair haired and contemporary by her style (some tattoos and clothing).

About that soup... I'm not sure what it mind have been called but it was really good; a nice brothy soup. Just what I would have expected...

I really hate giving poor reviews, I would prefer to go review a place I like instead, but Panzano was a memorably bad experience and you should really avoid if you want Italian food. The staff were lovely, I was treated well and service was quick and attentive. I went for the Cavolini Di Bruxelles to start and it was dreadful. The portion was enormous, first of all. With both hands cupped it would have taken three trips to the bin to get rid of it all. Sadly the taste would still have lingered. Yes the little devils are supposed to be bitter, which is why a whole green apple was scattered across it, but it was burnt and greasy. I managed three mouthfuls and then put it to one side. I was asked if I wanted a box. A coffin would have been more appropriate. For the main course I had the Ricotta Ravioli which was ok. It was oddly sweet and the pasta felt old but it was nice enough as long as you don't judge it by the standard of "did it taste like Italian food?" because it manifestly did not. You can get better at the supermarket. The bill came, I spied the comments card and was ready to offer some feedback but was surprised they'd not asked about the starter I'd clearly ignored. I asked them to take it off the bill and they happily obliged but cannily removed the comment card when the bill came back. Odd approach. I heard the waiter feed back to the chefs and there was a little uncomfortable tension as I was sat at the counter facing them and they weren't impressed with me. A beer, an inedible starter and ravioli and they wanted 60 bucks. The place has a conceited air, as if they have a "Denver's finest 1998" award in the back and they've not tried since. My basic rule for eating out is could I have made a better meal myself? I'm not a great cook but you know what? I could do better and that just ain't right for an upscale place. Go get a taco instead, you'll feel...

My husband and I came here on our last night in Denver on a Tuesday. We made a reservation on OpenTable about an hour or so before we wanted to go with no trouble: there were lots of time options available. When we arrived, we saw that the restaurant was pretty empty. We cam at 6:15PM and there were a few tables filled but there was a huge back dining area available. The decor inside kind of made me think of old school Art Deco, which I suppose corresponds with the hotel it is attached to.

My husband and I started with the crostini appetizer and asked if we could substitute burrata on 2 because I am a vegetarian. Our server said this would be no problem at all. He also warned me that the olive tempenade that was coming would not be vegetarian (sardines in it). So thoughtful a nice! Overall our server was just outstanding. Very caring and thoughtful and a pleasure to have come to our table. They also serve you Italian bread, bread made with curry powder, and bread with parmesan. They were excellent!

I got the bucatini with pesto and mushrooms as my entire and my husband got the agnolotti with veal. My husband could not stop raving about his. He said it was one of the best pasta dishes he had ever had. He said the pasta was al dente and the filling was so delicious and he is not typically one to get veal but he just loved it. Mine was pretty good too although it was a little watery which was sort of odd. Still, the flavors were pretty good and the bucatini was cooked well.

The service was impeccable. Our server, as I said before was excellent. He checked in to see if we were doing well and joked a lot with is. He made this experience great! We were too stuffed for dessert so we passed. The prices are higher, but the quality of food is high so...