Abrusci's Fire & Vine — Restaurant in Lakewood

Traveling through Golden, CO we decided to explore the Italian restaurants in the area, because well...it's our favorite!. As we scrolled through the options we landed on the name Abrusci's. It's fun to say...go ahead, try it! Abrusci's!

We arrived to find a food truck emblazoned with the name "Pablito's" situated prominently in the parking lot, serving tacos and burritos. Curious about its presence in the parking lot of an Italian restaurant, we found and spoke to Michael, the Manager of that operation. He proudly shared that the trailer is owned by Abrusci's, and the revenue is used to fund benefits for the restaurant employees. WOW!! This innovation alone is 5-Star impressive!

And, it happens that Michael is a former restaurateur from Dallas, TX who was associated with several top brand restaurants for which I had shot food photography! What a small world!

Although tempted to snack from the food truck (smelled delicious!), we stayed with our original mission and entered Abrusci's. We were met by a friendly Hostess and she ushered us to a fireside table (Score another 5-Stars from my wife for that move!). Soon after, a polite and energetic server named Beckham arrived to welcome us, take our drink order, and offered details about the menu. (By the way, Beckham loves the UFC, and I believe he trains in that sport so I made it a point to behave).

Since it was mid-afternoon we chose to have garlic knots, Cesar salad, and a pizza. Yes, it's simple, however, if an Italian restaurant can get these basic offerings right, there is a high likelihood that more complex dishes would be worth a try. Well, Abrusci's did not disappoint. The meal was delivered hot, with a super fresh taste, and well-prepared. The food was flavorful, aromatic, and we knew from the first bite that we would be coming back for more meals in the near future.

Our visit was made absolutely perfect when Marvin Williams, the General Manager, came over to introduce himself, and he invested a few minutes to learn about us and make sure we were satisfied with our meal and the service. I am not sure what it's like to be Prince Harry and Meghan, however, I must say that our experience here certainly made us feel like royalty!

And speaking of leaving money on the table...tipping is a no-no here. We were informed that a service charge is added to each ticket to ensure every staff member earns a decent living wage. This helps to explain why everyone that we saw working here appeared happy, content, and excited to be of service.

In closing, these folks have a business model that favors the staff, which in turn creates a fantastic experience for their guests. If you are in the Lakewood area you probably already know what a gem you have in your backyard. And if you are anywhere else in the Denver metroplex and want to experience a great meal and even greater service, you owe it to yourself to...

Update. January 15, 2023 In response to my review I was contacted by the owner and we discussed in depth my concerns around how tipping and wages are allocated to the front and back staffs. Not that I am trying to tell restaurants how to run their organizations, it is I had concerns the total tip amount I wanted for the waiter was being split across so many people that it wasn't reflecting what I wanted to offer.

To clarify now, yes, the staff are sharing the 20% mandatory add-on to the bill, and that does actually include the waiter getting a percentage. So if I intended to tip 28% I should add the 8% to provide the waiter/bartender an extra bump.

But most importantly, I have learned and understand this restaurant's compensation model and it is the most equitable for the whole team. A dining experience isn't solely based on the waiter although they are the most visible part of the team to us. Making sure that the full staff is fairly recognized and compensated for their contribution to our dining experience really does need to be part of our dining mindset.

We will be returning soon for more of their really great meals!

Original review:

So here's the deal. From food and service the place is a solid 5-star. Also seems to be a very popular place despite awkward location and limited parking. Great Italian choices and for those alone we would go back. But here's a real concern.

We all realize that post-COVID restaurants are struggling to get things back to normal. And part of that is now showing up more often as a minimum tip of 20% or a special "kitchen" add-on of a few percent. However management has taken the desire to have a livable wage for his back room and kitchen staff by adding a fixed 20%. What's important is ..... this does NOT account for the wait staff!!

So, when the bill comes with 20% added, I was told most people don't add much more than 5% and many cases add nothing extra. This means your waiter/waitress is only getting 5% tip, or no tip AT ALL!

This is not right.

If the management wants to provide a living wage for the kitchen and other staff (and that is commendable) increase their hourly rates and raise prices. LEAVE the final tipping for your waitstaff.

Ps... I ended up tipping my waiter 20% also... so for my family's meal I tipped 40%.... Not something I will do again. Until this policy is changed we won't back. And this why...

Romantic little restaurant that littlerly pops up in a quite neighborhood. The people who live across the street must be huge cause I know if I lived there well let's just say pasta is my beastie and bead/deserts there our kids becoming beasties. If your looking for ROMANTIC ✅️ GOOD FOOD FOR A GREAT PRICE✅️ SERVICE....WELL ARE YOUNG LADY WAS AMAZING✅️(We were those people tonight I know 30mins till close and we poped in) but she had a smile on her face even re fixed my hubby's drink(still think he ordered it wrong) either way let us have the mess up which he took gladly(no coffee left behind). The food great portions and priced according. Mine was a little bland but something tells me it was my taste buds or our 30mins till close choice. Still good thoe. Hubby's pizza thoe....... oh.. .... my...... god...... yeah that's what sasauge is suppose to taste like not crammed in a tube. 2 drinks 14' pie , pasta and app plus desert(yes to go) we wouldn't do that. Bill....74 and change. Now here's what I loved. Me being an ex waitress knows the struggle of living on tips back in oh 2006. Was still at the 2$ mark. But here no tips just like over seas. It's added into ur bill. 1 for convenience. Hey who loves being full and doing math ? No one that's who. And 2 it makes sure no one gets the shaft from either bad service or bad customers. OH MY GOD I SAID IT. Yes bad customers there are more then I'd like to count of those out there. Here's the part I loved. They had a cute little note explaining the tipping or no need to and yes it's already on ur bill but if u wanted u could leave what they like to say "a little extra." Well full happy and ready to finish the drive up to win some moola 100$ down but taramasu in hand off we went. New Romantic restaurant to come back to now on the way up to lose money. Yes we have a pit stop on the way down so it only seems fitting. Ty for ur amazing restaurant. Side note thought this was worth mentioning. They seem to have like little tasting or this was a wine paring and 3 course meal(for this thursday) for 75$. U ask me that a he'll of a deal. 3 courses and they teach u about what wines would pair great with it. If I haven't decided to rip my knee cap basically off sat morning while leaving monarch.... well we would have been going next time thoe. Check...