I try to be very sparing with my updates. Typically, I write them only after a significant amount of time has gone by, and the establishment has either gone up or down a full star, in my estimation. For Panzano, I felt I owed it to several people (you know who your are) to do a more timely update. As previously mentioned, I was not impressed with most of my food during our 2013 RW meal. Service was fine. Perhaps the brightest spot of the evening, was the pre-dinner cocktail I had in the lounge. However, I had just missed happy hour, and $12 was a little steep, despite how good the drink was. After putting out my Panzano review, several people told me I needed to "check out their happy hour". And, after asking for suggestions on a Friday afternoon HH, Panzano was the name most mentioned. I am very glad that I listened to these recommendations.
I stopped into Panzano for HH at 2:31pm. Happy Hour on Friday (at least during RW) runs from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. By 3:12pm (give or take) I was in full agreement with those who touted the magnificence of the Panzano HH. The HH occurs, with slight time variations, 7 days a week in the lounge. Drink specials include $3 beers (all quality made in Colorado craft beers), $4 glasses of Wine, and $5 specialty cocktails (as well as $4, $5, and $6 plates of food). It is these cocktails, which are being sold for 1/2 or less of their normal price, that really pulled me down the alcohol rabbit-hole. Over the course of less than 90 minutes, I sampled several lovely libations. The "Pama Passion" (Absolute Ruby Red Grapefruit, Pama pomegranate liqueur and house made sweet and sour, served up with a squeeze of lime), the "R and R" (Breckenridge Vodka and Raspberry liqueur muddled with raspberries and rosemary, served on the rocks with a splash of soda), the "Ginger Kiss" (Stolichnaya vodka served over muddled orange with a splash of Canton Ginger Liqueur, simple syrup and soda), the "A Perfect Pear" (Grey Goose La Poire, Chase Elderflower Liqueur, house-made pear simple syrup and a squeeze of lemon), and the "Chizzled Lime Fizz" (Hanger One Kaffir Lime Vodka, fresh squeezed lime and simple syrup; served up and finished with a splash of Prosecco). On my previous visit, I had consumed an "Italian Rickey" (Tanqueray Gin, fresh squeezed lime juice and simple syrup finished with prosecco), and had also tasted Mary S.'s "Blackberry Smash" (10 Cane Rum with muddled Blackberries; topped with house made sweet and sour, and finished with a splash of soda). The drinks here, I must say, have several commonalities. They are expertly prepared, beautifully presented, have complex and mouth-watering flavor, and hit you like a sledge hammer encased in bubble-wrap. And at $5 each during HH, it is way, way, way, too easy to overindulge. But, since I was not driving, and I had secured later transportation, I threw caution to the winds and reveled in a brief and benevolent bender.
My primary bartender, Lance, was a magical master mixologist who was like a friendly tour guide on a cocktail safari. His later replacement, Jeff seemed similarly skillful. While enjoying my drinks, a woman named Leslie was seated at the bar to my left, enjoying HH wine and some small plates of food. The Gnocchi al Coniglio (Sautéed gnocchi with rabbit confit, leeks, shallots, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and Gorgonzola cheese) she had looked and smelled so good, that I instantly regretted not having ordered it on my earlier RW visit. Indeed, the rabbit looked so tasty, that despite dinner at Trillium being in the near future, I had to order the Coniglio Pizza (Rabbit confit, rosemary, olive oil, garlic, chili flake,gorgonzola, watercress and walnuts). It was one of the tastiest gourmet pizzas I have had in quite some time. And, although I shouldn't have, I could not resist Leslie's offer to share her Melanzane Fritte (Lightly breaded eggplant, pomodoro, fresh basil, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction). This was the second time in less than a month that I was blown away by an eggplant dish (something I traditionally have not been a fan of). It was crispy, tart, acidic, and an Italian appetizer of which to be proud.
So, Panzano, I hereby adjust my overall rating to 4 stars. I am willing to believe that what I ate at dinner during RW was not indicative of what to expect here. My experiences during HH will have me singing your praises, and will bring me back again soon. read more