Barolo Grill was an awesome experience and among the best Italian food we've had anywhere. If Denver had a Michelin Guide, Barolo Grill would certainly merit a star. It exudes a natural warmth and sincerity that is often lacking in fine dining ventures. Barolo Grill's approach is technical and precise, with quality and knowledge shining through all aspects. The entire staff even takes annual trips to Italy to gather inspiration, and it shows. The food is incredible, well-conceived and nuanced without being overly engineered or gimmicky. Barolo Grill's wine list is an in-depth study in Italian wine with a plethora of quality choices. In the Covid era, it cannot go without saying that the restaurant did an excellent job taking precautions, while minimizing disruption to the dining experience. Highly recommend Barolo Grill and would most definitely revisit on any future trips to Denver!
Atmosphere
- Upscale while retaining a warm, rustic charm with the terracotta tiles, stucco walls and lots of windows.
- Appreciate that it felt like a nice outing but refrained from the stifling, uptight formality; very comfortable and relaxed.
- No real dress code, people showed up in all sorts of attire from dressy to jeans and sneakers. Felt relaxed, comfortable and welcoming to all guests.
Food
Though the food was refined and elegant, it was never lacking in substance. You could sense the care that was put into each dish, from conception to execution. Even the smallest nuance was carefully devised. So often, 'refined and elegant' translate to 'tiny and unsatisfying' but that is absolutely not the case at Barolo Grill. We were beyond satiated, and every dish exudes warmth and authenticity. At the time of our visit, both a 3-course ($69) and 5-course option ($89) were offered. We enjoyed:
-Soufflé di formaggio: Amazing dish, the flavors were so well balanced with apricot mostarda contrasting and elevating the cheese flavor. Texture of the souffle was divine, had a little heft but smooth as silk. A favorite, you must order this!
-Insalata di uova e tartufi: A fancy egg salad, the truffle was prominent but not overwhelming. Really enjoyed the texture of the six-minute egg, which was perfectly oozing yokey deliciousness.
-Risotto al mais: Salsa verde brightened this dish from becoming too heavy, a very thoughtful addition. The risotto was toothsome and corn not too sweet. Found the popcorn a bit unnecessary, but overall very enjoyable.
-Tagliatelle con salsiccia: Deep flavor that just felt right for the fall. The pasta was tender and sauce robust on flavor. Excellent!
-Anatra 360: A generous portion of duck, and quite hearty particularly with the addition of garlic potatoes. Though more rustic, there were plenty of interesting flavor elements, especially the contrasting use of kalamata olives. The duck was super tender and the braise made for deep, well-developed flavors.
-Agnello: Beautiful presentation and the lamb was cooked perfectly with great caramelization. Again, a very generous portion of protein. Of our mains, this was certainly the 'lighter' of the two, but that's not saying much.
-Panna Cotta: A classic, done with precision. The texture was refined and elegant.
-Torta di formaggio: Enjoyed the density of the cake, which was not too heavy, and the touch of sweetness courtesy of lavender honey.
Beverage
Barolo Grill's Grand Award from Wine Spectator is what attracted us to the restaurant in the first place; their wine list is out of this world. They truly live up to the award, and beyond the list itself, the staff are quite clearly well versed. At over 100 pages, there is something for every taste and budget. Aside from the extensive list, there are by-the-glass options, as well as wine pairings ($35 for 3-course, $55 for 5-course) described on the menu with each course.
We began with a glass of the Metodo Classico 'Millesimato' Contratto 2013 Piemonte ($18/gl), which was excellent. With our meal, the 2010 Scavino, Paolo 'Cannubi' ($305) was out of this world. Barolo Grill is a wine lover's restaurant!
Service
- Knowledgeable is an understatement by virtue of that fact that all staff travel to Italy as part of an annual, immersive experience. This differentiation shines through.
- Very professional and yet friendly and human. read more