The "Restaurant Kid" Litmus Test: Parisi Passes with Flying Colors On my first day in Denver, a childhood friend took me to lunch at Parisi, though he was admittedly a bit apprehensive. Having grown up with Italian heritage on both sides and parents who owned an Italian restaurant, I am notoriously hard to please when it comes to authentic cuisine. He was worried I'd be overcritical; instead, I was completely charmed. Located in a quaint, quiet neighborhood, Parisi offers the kind of authenticity that is rare to find. Here is why it earned a perfect score from a tough critic: The Main Course: The Tagliatelle Ragu was balanced and traditional--exactly what you want from a high-caliber kitchen. The "Woodfire" Factor: The aroma of the woodfire pizza oven hits you the moment you walk in. While we opted to eat inside rather than on the lovely patio, those scents alone convinced me that I have to return specifically for the pizza next time. The Grand Finale: I had to finish the meal with my favorite, Stracciatella gelato. It was the perfect creamy, artisanal end to a fantastic lunch. The service was seamless, the ambiance was inviting, and the food spoke for itself. If you're looking for a spot that feels like a true slice of Italy in the middle of Denver, this is it. I'll definitely be back to tackle that pizza menu! read more

Parisi - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Parisi Sotto, the return of the Firenze a Tavola space. I was quite sad the day that Firenze closed as I didn't get a chance to try them yet. So happy that the Parisi team decided to repurpose the basement space to Parisi Sotto. Recommend to make reservation in advance through online platforms. We celebrated a birthday and Phil aka Filippo aka Julio took care of us. He made great recommendations and brought us a house made tiramisu that was TDF. There are seasonal items highlighted on the menu in orange and those get rotated out seasonally (or maybe monthly, I forget). We had the seasonal bruschetta - bread is crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. They provide complimentary bread that had 3 options, one of which is the familiar bread from upstairs. We loved everything. We ordered the pici alla norcina - the thicker spaghetti with mushroom and sausage in a cream sauce, pappardelle alla chiantigiana - the ribbon pasta with slow-cooked beef tenderloain in a chianti wine and tomato sauce, and the arista al forno con patate - which is an over-roasted pork loin with herbs and vegetables, served with "patata duchessa mattonella" that was a baked mashed potatoes side. The portion for the pici was really good but the pappardelle and the oven-roasted pork were slightly smaller in portion size but overall really good flavor, the gravy on the pork was super tasty as well, went well with the extra bread. We ordered aperol spritz and a couple negronis, thought the cocktails were priced well. Finished off with a complimentary tiramisu due to the birthday celebration. Overall, super amazing experience, elevated Parisi style. We love this so much! read more

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My fiancé and I recently moved into the neighborhood and wanted to check out a local spot, so naturally, we ended up getting takeout from Parisi! The menu is extensive, so we called and asked the to pick a pasta with pesto and a pasta with red sauce. We also ordered a side of asparagus and a tiramisu for dessert. We ended up with the gnocchi pesto and the tagliatelle ragu. Both were really tasty! The asparagus was a miss, simply because it came with only 7 of them. I felt that it was an incredibly small portion. The tiramisu was good! All in all, save for the small side of asparagus, this place was pretty solid! I imagine we will be back soon! read more

Parisi - Side of asparagus - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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At Parisi, you ordered at the register & pay then you will get an assigned table then seated. Nice service. Ambiance is authentic Italian with Vino bar, gelato&Italian desserts sections. Open fire brick oven pizza. We tasted very great value pizza, homemade gnocchi & grilled chicken. The appetizer we chose the rice balls that varieties in one order and it was so lovely. Vanilla gelato also a great choices if you want plain & simple. I chose homemade gnocchi as my go to if you come visit. It is the best melt in your mouth & burst of flavors kind. Can't wait to go back. Amore Parisi! read more

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Very cute place. Reminded you of being in Paris. I had lasagna. It was good, but not that exciting as far as the spices in there. OK. Can't say much about service into order at a counter get seated and they bring you your food although they were very attentive on seeing if we needed anything Kids portions were very generous. My niece had spaghetti and meatballs, and actually ate almost all of it, which was amazing. read more

Parisi - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I haven't stopped thinking about FIOCCHETTI ALLA PERA since trying it last weekend. It's the perfect flavor of pear, cheesy pasta & balsamic. I'm so glad I tried it instead of sticking to my general pasta preferences. This is a new fave combo for me! We equally enjoyed the starters POLPETTINE & PEPERONI as well as PANZEROTTI. My husband loved his PORCHETTA but I was too full to taste. Would 10/10 recommend & I am already craving the food to return! If you're new to the restaurant like I was, don't let the line out the door intimidate you. It's a walk up order at the counter then be seated style upstairs fast casual restaurant. Downstairs is reservation only and more upscale so book ahead if this style of dining is your preference. We didn't know ahead of time & thankfully some regulars gave us the scoop. read more

This place!!! For sure is a must !!! Freaking delicious... I lived in Italy for a couple years and when I had their lasagna, let's just say I was transported back to Italy for sure .... Portion size, more than enough for 2. Salad, sooooo freaking good. They have a way of doing things here though. When you walk in, you order your food first and then they assign you a table. Different but fun! Staff was just so friendly. I wanted to eat everything but that just means I have to come back. The vibe was verrrry Italia !!! All I got to say is BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO !!!!! Grazie Molto read more

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Once you figure out what door to use and where to order.... The food is great! The arancini tasted like the oil was bad but the pesto pasta was delicious as well as the cannoli ! read more

Parisi - Arancini and pesto pasta - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Another great experience at Parisi. It was busy on a Sunday night, and we waited about 30 minutes to place our order and get a table. Once seated, they brought bread quickly. They seem to use extra pizza dough for the bread, and it is always fresh and great for dipping in extra sauce. On this visit, we ordered the pappardelle fra diavola special and the tagliatelle boscaiola. The pappardelle was fantastic, with a generous amount of seafood and perfectly cooked noodles. The tagliatelle was not great this time. We have ordered this in the past and it was delicious, but the sauce on this visit was extremely acidic and tasted off. We told our server, and they quickly offered to replace it for another dish. We decided on the carbonara, which was great. I believe they use cream, so it is not a true authentic carbonara, but it was still creamy and well-seasoned. For the price, this is a great option for Italian food in Denver! read more

Parisi - Tagliatelle boscaiola - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

One of my favorite lunch places in Denver. They have a huge variety of pasta options. Sertvice is fast but friendly. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. I always start with a salad and then a pasta. Their gnocchi is great. I never have room for dessert but their gelato looks good! read more

Popped in after a day of shopping nearby. Initially there was a line out the door. It moved pretty quickly until we were at the counter to place our order. Tried a few dishes. Penne with gorgonzola and walnuts was meh, side meatball was also just ok with the sauce being tasty but very thin. House salad had a nice variety but blood orange dressing was almost non-existent. Limoncello spritz was also just ok for $12. Raviolli de zucca was a hit as was the complimentary herb bread and delicious oil and balsamic. Food came out VERY quickly and service was there just to clear tables. Will be back again to try the pizza. read more

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Nice Italian food spot for lunch or casual dinner. We ordered at the front then find a seat. Staff comes by to give out waters, silverware, and plates, else service is pretty hands off. We ordered a large salad and pizza to share. It all tasted great. read more

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What a nice gem!! We randomly came across this place online and decided to go grab some lunch. Overall, service and ambiance is very casual and modern. The staff was very attentive and friendly! It is a little different than other Italian places as you go inside and order before sitting down. I personally do not mind it. Food is one of the best casual Italian places I have had here in Denver. The penne ragu bolognese was so delicious and felt very homey. I do not think you can go wrong with anything on their menu! read more

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Wow! My daughter took me here while I was in town visiting and I now know why it is one of her favorite places to go. The wait was minimal and we were able to sit outside ( party of 3). I had the butternut squash ravioli and it was absolutely one of the best pastas I have ever had. We had the mixed risotto for an appetizer and all of those were so good also. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The appetizer came out just shortly after we sat. Food came out fresh and hot. We also had the red and White House wine which were good. I can't wait to visit again. Ravioli will not be the same back in Ft Worth! read more

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This is a long-standing favorite of mine. I decided to treat myself to lunch because I was between appointments. I haven't been in for about six months and whereas I still love it, I have to say the quality and service was not what I remembered. A more "casual fast food" feeling, with not the usual warmth of staff. I ordered the "special" soup, lentil and bean, Caesar salad, and a glass of Chianti. The food came quickly, but once it was served, a waitress clearing her tray at the garbage near me, gave it a few good, distracted thwacks and proceeded to hold it very high aloft, dripping whatever garbage she had just slammed into the bin over my table, my food, and my head. I avoided my soup, and ate about 1/4 of the salad as I wasn't sure how much garbage water/detritus went in. I called her over and explained what had happened and she just sort of scrunched her face, mumbled sorry and scurried off. Later when another person came to take away my uneaten food, I told her the quality wasn't great, and she made the "wah, wah" face and scurried off. I could have brought it up to the manager, but i hate doing that. I'd rather just maybe not go for lunch, or give it another shot another time. Really sad, $35 bucks is a lot for me now, and it was super disappointing. Paris has gone from being an experience to look forward to, to being a meh local place that maybe was just having a bad, indifferent, and snotty day? Going to finish my wine and finish being schmoopy and feeling like I just yelled at a beloved neighborhood kid to get off my lawn. read more

Excellent Italian food, delicious desserts, amazing service and free bread? What is not to love about this local Tennyson spot.

Incredible Food Held Back by an Unusable Website Let me start with the most important part: the food is genuinely outstanding. It's some of the best pasta, pizza on Tennyson. The Digital Disaster Unfortunately, the process of actually getting that amazing food via their online ordering system is an absolute nightmare. I felt like I was dragged back to the digital dark ages, navigating a website straight out of 2000. To the owners: You are creating brilliant food, but you are creating a horrible experience. Please, take a moment to put yourselves in your customers' shoes and try to place a simple to-go order. Please do your customers right and fix this technical flaw. read more

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We visited Parisi Sotto for a birthday dinner. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful, along with the service. We started off with the antipasto which was delicious. My husband had the steak and I went with the fennel salad. The flavors are simple and clean-- which really speaks to true Italian. If you're looking for a perfect date night, Parisi Sotto is a cozy, intimate spot. read more

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This place is perfect. Amazing pizza and apps. It's rustic and tastes high quality. I don't even mind the wait because I know i will be satisfied by the price and food. It's a perfect date night, casual dinner, or literally for whenever you actually want your food to be good. It's such a gem that if I won the lottery and this place went under I'd personally fund it to stay open. I drive 40 mins away to come whenever I can read more

Parisi - Margherita and mussels - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I have been a loyal customer of Parisi since the day they opened their small Italian market to their current location on Tennyson. I've probably eaten here 500 times, but last night was a shocking departure from the service I've known. We ordered at 5:22 PM. For the next 30+ minutes, we watched table after table - people who arrived long after us - receive their meals. I checked in twice and was told both times it would be "just a minute." By 5:54 PM, I was upset. I went to the counter to ask for a refund. I'll admit I was frustrated, and it showed. I was again told, this time more emphatically, that the food was "almost ready!" That was the third time. I said, "If it's almost ready, give me the refund and the food to go; it's the right thing to do!" At this point, the staff member walked away and came back a few minutes later with the manager, Genaro. Instead of an apology, or asking how he could help, or acknowledging the service issue - or even saying, "Hi, I'm Genaro" - he came out with a defensive attitude, stomping towards us, literally stomping towards us. He shoved the receipt toward me, pointing at the time and insisting that a 40-minute wait for three meals in a fast-casual setting is "normal." It is not. Parisi is not fine dining; waiting nearly 40 minutes for three chicken dishes in a fast-casual environment is not normal at all. I told him that. I also told him, "Look around, everyone in here came after us, and they all have plates in front of them." When I told him his dismissal of a nearly 30-year customer was insulting, he began yelling at me in front of the entire restaurant, first telling me to leave, then shouting that I was "banned for life." Banned for life! I should take them my picture so they can tape it next to their register: "This man is banned for life!" Looking back, I could have just sat and waited for the food to arrive; 40 minutes isn't a lifetime. But after being misled for 40 minutes, my patience had run out. To be treated with such vitriol and aggression by management - after nearly three decades of loyal support - is staggering. I admitted my frustration, but a manager's job is to fix a mistake, not bully a long-time patron to cover up for a slow kitchen. A deeply sad end to a Denver staple. read more

Really mediocre pizza served with a side of surliness. Pizza crust is floppy and quite unappealing. Best thing was the gelato All flavors were bland. Much prefer Marcos, Blue pan, and homegrown tap and dough read more

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I just got back from Italy and have been looking for a place in Denver whose food reminded me of it a little bit. I can't speak for the other menu items because I didn't try them all, but the PASTA, specifically the ravioli is OUTSTANDING. The bread at the table was fresh and I was overall just very very impressed. read more

Parisi - Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I love the upstairs Parisi's and the separate restaurant downstairs Parisi Soto. Both offer different dinning experiences. The upstairs is informal with very good food for the price; the best Cioppino Stew I've ever had. The downstairs is for those that would prefer a server in a more intimate setting (a lot less little kids) and so the menu is more elevated. Thanks for all you do, we love it! read more

I was invited to a celebration of life luncheon here today along with several friends. The entire lower level was reserved for the event. There was an open bar along with an incredible buffet which included chicken Parmesan, meatballs, Caesar salad, etc. There were several staff members serving guests along with a bartender who happened to know about the honoree's favorite cocktail and prepared it just as I remembered it. There were several tables which were arranged perfectly for accommodate groups of 4 to 8 comfortably. The dining room and bathroom were very clean. Although this was a somber occasion, Parisi's did an amazing job. read more

Parisi - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

So many good things! Delicious lasagna and gnocchi, lovely salads and delicious pizza! The flavors are authentic just like the way Nona used to cook! We appreciate the ample parking and friendly service. This is a casual spot where you order at the counter for food served at your table. This will be our go-to restaurant for great Italian in the future! read more

Really enjoy Parisi, you can get a quality plate of pasta for a good price. Every time I've been there's been a line out the door but it moves quickly. I like that they assign you a table when you order as opposed to having to try to find one after ordering and not knowing if you'll find one before your food is ready. I haven't had anything bad here on the menu. read more

Food was pretty good. Don't prefer standing in line to order. If you want something else, you need to wait in line again.

Food is always delicious here no matter what you order. Quality, quantity and service always good and dependable. Parking is a limited but worth the walk. read more

Pretty good food at a great price. Will definitely come back again. We could've just don't a pizza, the 14 inch was huge. The gelato was also great. read more

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I visited the upstairs portion of Parisi on a Sunday evening and there was a very short line. Our party of four ordered four entrees, which came extremely quickly. I did not realize the capri pizza did not have a cheese base but it was still very tasty! The table bread was delicious and I enjoyed the ambiance. My food was 4 stars because I wanted to try their basic options (plain pizza, pasta, panini) so I am excited to try some of their more specialties soon! read more

Might be my favorite Italian place in Denver!! Service is always super fast once you get through the line, which is usually long but worth the wait! I base an Italian spot on their vodka sauce and they have one of the best!! Such a fun spot to go! read more

So, hear me out... I'd definitely go back to this spot and order different dishes than what I ordered this round. The ambiance of the restaurant itself is very modern cafe and it makes you feel like you're out of country for a moment! I love that they offer sweets/baked goods up front and that you order at the counter and then you're seated for your meal. 1. There were no signs to lead you to the line and it being our first time here, we stood at the entrance for a while thinking no one wanted to greet us. But, once directed, I loved the set up to order at the counter and then be seated. 2. We ordered a large PARISI CAESAR, TAGLIATELLE BOSCAIOLA, and the NEW YORKESE sandwich (mild with olive spread). Once seated, the service was very on point and felt quick so you're not waiting for very long to eat! They also bring out complimentary bread and while we appreciated it, there was lack of flavor. Cold & dense. Nonetheless, I think the service and feel of the restaurant had us elevated in our Parisi atmosphere! The caesar salad was delightful! By far my favorite dish and the fact they make the dressing in-house with anchovies was wonderful. I would absolutely order this again and come back for it! The pasta dish (tagliatelle) was superrrr al dente to the point of it feeling like it needed more cook time and the sauce was noticeably salty. I'm a savory gal myself, but this sauce caught me off guard with the salt level. It just needed a bit less salt and a little more cook. The sandwich we ordered it mild for the olive spread, because olives are my single most favorite food item! But, it same out spicy and with the pickled veggies. This surprised me greatly at first bite, because I wasn't expecting the heat. Luckily, I do enjoy spicy food, but this wasn't what I ordered and I feel that if someone ordered mild, because they can't handle the spice, it would've been too much heat and by fluke. The bread was beautiful, the meats were flavorful and aplenty! I really appreciated that about the sandwich. I would like to order this again and triple confirm I'm getting mild with olives. I wouldn't order spicy (I didn't even order it though) again. On the way out, we grabbed a cannoli with cherries! The cream filling had little to no flavor and the exterior shell was overly sweetened and very hard to bite into. Again, not bad, but just needed a little less sugar and maybe a little more of that cheesy cream filling flavor? I think next time I'd be more interested in trying the gelato they had! Honestly, that front counter was very charming. I liked that it felt like a mini market! Overall, I'm feeling like I really would like to try this spot again. The restaurant felt lively and I would be happy to sit in the atmosphere and soak it in again. I'll order differently and try again sometime. read more

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Food: 3/5 Spaghetti Carbonara: Good portion and creamy. However, the sauce lacked flavor and depth. The highlight of the dish was the salty guanciale. Arancini Mixto: 3/5 Ground beef and cheese and mushroom and cheese. The flavor was okay, nothing special. The balls were really small. The sauce was okay. Gelato: 5/5 The gelato was the best food I had here! I got the stracciatella and lemon bar. It was creamy, rich, and had the perfect consistency. I got the 6 ounces with two scoops priced at $5. Service: 5/5 The cashier was very patient and kind as we asked questions about the menu. When my sister sent back her limoncello drink, the waitress didn't hesitate to retrieve her a new drink. Overall, the food is average and nothing special. Note: while the picture shows everyone's food, I only reviewed the spaghetti carbonara. read more

Parisi - From left to right: Insalata Pera Insalate Spaghetti Carbonara Pollo Al Mattone Teeny Panini - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Started with their homemade soup had carrots, potatoes cabbage, delicious then I had eggplant Parmesan, which I think is the best I ever had. It's nice and thick. That sauce is delicious. I just love this place every time I eat there. It's wonderful. The service is great. their staff is very friendly and helpful and efficient. I would recommend this to anybody. read more

Parisi is always a family favorite and our go to for a quick casual Italian meal. It does get busy and is very popular. However, the staff is always very friendly and on top of getting everyone seated. The fact that they bring bread to your table right away definitely curbs the hangry feelings right away. They have an excellent selection of Italian delights. I usually go with a pizza salad with chicken, But the calzone is a close runner up. The portions are very filling and I always leave feeling more than satisfied. They have a little Italian market area with Gelato if you're after any dry pasta or desserts. Also they offer a fine selection of Italian influenced alcoholic beverages. This place is best for smaller groups, as the seating is a bit limited. 6 people or less would be best. I could literally go here every day and never grow tired of it. read more

Had a great dinner here Saturday night! My wife and I found a couple seats at their cozy bar and got to hang out with a very friendly and knowledgable bartender. We had drinks, a Caesar salad, pepperoni pizza, the tagliatelle boscaiola, and gelato for dessert. Salad was a classic Caesar. Pizza was great. While tasty, the pasta did miss the mark. The tagliatelle boscaiola description said that it was a porcini dish. Here are the ingredients listed on their menu/website: pancetta, porcini mushrooms, plum tomato sugo & cream. The mushrooms were clearly cremini/button and not porcini. We ordered the dish because we like porcini mushrooms, and were disappointed that the specific ingredient we were seeking was subbed for a much less expensive item without being reflected on the menu in description or price. Subbing porcini for cremini is like subbing halibut for tilapia - it changes the dish entirely. The tagliatelle boscaiola dish was tasty, but I felt tricked by the untruthful menu description. The gelato was fantastic and a great cap to the night. Overall, Parisi a really very nice Italian restaurant in Denver, and I would put it in my top 3 Italian restaurants in the city. If our pasta dish had arrived as advertised, it would have been a perfect 5 stars. Excited to dine in again and try a different pasta dish instead. read more

Parisi is a really cool casual-concept Italian restaurant located on Tennyson. This is an ideal weeknight spot for a casual date or to take the family! Upon entering, you grab a menu and decide what you'd like. Then you pay at the counter and they tell you which number table to sit at. Once seated, they immediately bring over bread and water. They are very kid-friendly and provide a coloring sheet, crayons, and have children's drink options like lemonade and fruit punch. The kids menu is available upon request. The entrees are very reasonably priced for the quality! My chicken Parmesan was $15 for two large cutlets of chicken with roasted potatoes and spicy broccolini. Next time, I'd like to try one of their pizzas because they looked amazing! Parisi also has a nice selection of gelato for dessert. read more

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A go to for Italian food when I'm in the Tennyson area after hearing about the delicious pasta from a cashier at another shop on Tennyson! You order at a counter and the food is brought out to you along with some delicious bread! I love this place for grabbing lunch and it can get pretty busy but the staff here is helpful with menu questions and also pretty quick to make sure you get your food. There is a variety of pastas, pizzas, salads and dishes to choose from and they're all priced pretty reasonably especially as everything is super fresh and delicious. The insalata caprese was fresh, crisp and exactly what I wanted especially with the inclusion of a giant mozzarella ball on top. I typically gravitate toward the pastas, which are priced between $12-16 per plate. This is cheaper than a lot of other italian places but I'd say the portion is more of a "lunch size". This isn't to say I don't manage to get about 2 meals out of the plate. Food always comes out fast and I've never had food that doesn't make me say "wow that's good" here. Next time, I want to check out the gelato and some of the imported food items they have available after my meal. A good option for food that I keep coming back to. read more

Parisi - Insalata Caprese - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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This is a cute neighborhood spot located in Tennyson on the main street. There's no reservation and sometimes a line at peak dinner hours. You order at the front and then wait for a table. Food was served fairly speedy. Food was on the lighter side of the flavor. The pasta was fine. However, I was impressed by the pork - it was so tender and flavorful with a side of smashed potatoes and veggies and beans. I strongly recommend this dish if you come here for dinner. The portion of this dish was big as well that I ended up taking home the leftovers. He has a cute ice cream and bar stalls on the side of the restaurant as well if you were feeling like getting a drink or dessert afterwards. read more

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The concept of buying your food before you get the physical food was interesting to me. I have only encountered that at a buffet before. I can safely say that this is not a buffet, but I wish it was because it was absolutely delicious. I got the Spaghetti Carbonara, and my GF got the Wild Boar pasta that was on special for the night. Our food came quick and it was hot and delicious. The Limoncello Spritz was great too. For our starter we got the breaded and fried Risotto balls are freaking perfect. I hate mushrooms but I would eat those for days straight. The marinara sauce is great too. Service is excellent and the people are really friendly. Dessert is great too, they have authentic italian gelato - this is where it becomes a small story time. Growing up in Germany we had an Italian family that would come up to Germany for the summer to sell their gelato. I loved the pistachio and my mom loved the hazelnut, chocolate, and strawberry. She recently passed away so I had to try her flavors. I was taken back to my childhood and the memory of walking in town with her eating some of that gelato. Parisi. Thank you for this. I will always come back, if not for pasta, it will be for the gelato. This place deserves the 5 stars. read more

Parisi - Spaghetti Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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