Went here for our last night in Cortez...with the expectation of an amazing filet mignon. Unfortunately, there was no such item on the menu. But, I saw another steak that sounded just as appetizing, the beed brichole...but after my colleague and I ordered it we were told it was not available and was going to be taken off the menu sice it was not ordered frequently. So...I "settled" for the lasagna. The lasagna was really tasty...well seasoned, not too spicy, and had enough cheese and enough meat. The service was good, the atmosphere average...overall good place to eat. Would return if in the mood for lasagna but would go to Shiloh's for a steak.
(4)
Jamie W.
I guess I shouldn't expect much for remote southwestern Colorado. I love Italian food and had to stop in. The menu was solid and the pasta was good. The service was average. The house Chianti was a little below average and the pours were very small.
(3)
Deborah E.
We were going cross country and stopped for the night in Cortez, CO. The desk clerk at the hotel suggested Nero's. I am so glad she did. It was DELICIOUS! I had the meatball sub, my daughter had the lasagna and my husband had the chicken marsala. I have not had a better meatball sub outside New York. The bread crust and meatballs were wonderful! My daughter loved her lasagna. However, my husband was just meh about his chicken marsala. The presentation was great and they used local ingredients. I would highly recommend this place if you are in the area. It is pricey, but well worth it!
(5)
Ian W.
After a day of visiting the Aztec Ruins and Mesa Verde, we stopped at Nero's for a much needed Italian dinner. The casual atmosphere here is nice and cozy (literally sitting very close to the next table) like a Main Street bistro. The dining room is decorated with colorful and pretty Southwestern artwork and decorations. The menu offers a very appetizing but simple Italian menu including appetizers, soups, salads, pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, seafood, veal, children's menu, desserts and nightly specials. The prices here are reasonable. Dinner entrees come with soup or salad and bread. Beer and wine are available from the bar. Check out the menu at subee.com/neros/home.html First, I started out with a good hearty cup of Minestrone Soup and my friend started out with a decent mixed green salad, with oil & vinegar. For dinner, I had the Italian Stroganoff over Fettuccine, which was very good and tasty. My friend is very particular when it comes to pasta wanted "Spaghetti with Sausage." However, the menu didn't offer spaghetti, but instead linguine and penne with sausage, which he doesn't really care for. He looked puzzled, but I asked our waitress if he could substitute angel hair for linguine and that request was accepted, but for an additional charge of $2.00 more. My friend couldn't understand why the extra charge, but the waitress explained to him angel hair costs more than linguine and penne. Oky-dokey! He enjoyed the Angel Hair with Spicy Italian Sausage & Tomato Sauce and cleaned the dish. We skipped dessert. The service was attentive. Nero's was definitely a good choice for dinner in Cortez!
(4)
cindy b.
I went back here and it was a hot day, not ideal for Italian but I remembered that Quail. Instead I had leg of pork prepared Osso Bucco, something I'd not had before. It was very good, served with a rice risotto that was deep and rich, and a sprinkle of crisp julienned zuchinni... I also had a salad, a local wine, and for dessert a small (for me, just the right size after this dinner) Lime mousse. I like this restaurant, the same chef was working there, and I'd count it as a reliably good meal when on your way to and from all the sights of the area.
(4)
Karen D.
We had Thanksgiving dinner here. My dad is in a nursing home and couldn't travel to our house for dinner. First off, I'm very grateful for restaurants who stay open on a holiday and the staff who give up their holiday to serve other people. That said, the server who waited on us had no idea what the specials were. If you don't know, it's okay to write it down - but he didn't do that, either. They had no "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner - something an elderly person like my dad was really looking forward to. The specials they had were good and varied - sea bass, New York steak, and fettucini Alfredo. The soup (beef barley) was out of a can - mushy veggies and tasteless. The entrees were tasty, but nothing extra special, especially considering the price. Cortez has few places where you can get a good steak, and although Nero's is one of them, I'd choose Shiloh's instead.
(2)
Peter C.
If you want to arrive after 6pm on a winter weeknight, call ahead and make a reservation. They like to close early. We walked in at 6:30pm on our first attempted visit and were turned away. On our second attempt we called at 6:10pm and asked how late they would be open and were told not much longer, unless we made a reservation, so we did, for 6:20pm. Other than the rushed service, like they couldn't wait to get us out of there so they could close, the food was pretty decent. Not great. Not fabulous. But decent.
(3)
Paul P.
Excellent menu and cute patio. Thoroughly enjoyed both dishes that I had here; delicious homemade salad dressing. Was a bit taken back by the owner/manager who seemed kinda snippy or elitist with both me and the staff -- thank goodness the food is good.
(4)
Jed W.
Well, I'm not an Italian food fan, but Nero's hit the spot during our trip to Southwest Colorado. The waitress was just average, but the dinner was very good though on the higher end of the price scale for what you get. I had the Pesto past dish with chicken and it was probably the best I've had.
(3)
Natalie T.
This place had some amazing amazing food! We spent the entire day in Canyon De Chelly in Arizona and then made the long drive to Cortez, CO. With a party of 5 we were worried we would have to be eating out for pizza or fast food in this small town, so it was definitely a relief to find Nero's on Main street next to our hotel. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli in Alfredo sauce with a side of tomato bisque. The bisque was so perfect, not too hot and soo tasty with a little bit of olive oil and green sauce (pesto?) The rest of the people in our party had spaghetti, blakened salmon (very well cooked), and a garden salad. This was the best garden salad I had ever seen for $5.95. While some of the plates may have been slightly overpriced (not because of their quality but their quantity) the salad was a great deal. Especially the balsamic chile maple dressing. Yes, you heard me right, balsamic chile maple dressing. It was to die for. I tried to sneak it out in my purse but it didnt go over so well :/ The atmostphere was great. The food was fabulous. We wish we had stayed in Cortez another night so we could eat there again!
(5)
Ruth V.
Ah, Nero's, how I miss you. The *old* Nero's, that is -- before the original owner sold the business. This new incarnation looks the same but it ain't. Food is bland and tends to arrive overcooked. Sweet little touches, like homemade desserts and salad dressing in a chilled container on the side, no longer exist. Avoid the house wines (from Olathe, which is known for CORN...need I say more?) It's still, sadly, one of the better places to eat in Cortez...but it's extremely overpriced for what it has become - a mediocre Italian restaurant. Nero's is trading on reputation at this point. If you're a real foodie, go have some elk steak at Shiloh, or better yet, drive to Durango.
(3)
Carol B.
Wow! What a great find. This little place is at the end of Main Street and could be easy to miss, but find it if you are ever in Cortez. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and incredible food. We were impressed with every bite from start to finish. The house salad dressing was perfect on fresh greens. The quail was roasted just right and the mushroom ravioli the best I have ever had. And don't get me started on the homemade ice cream. I expected to be eating the same old diner type fare in Cortez, but I couldn't have been more wrong. And make sure to try some of the local Pinot Noir with your meal. I highly recommend Nero's!
(5)
M K.
The service was good and the place has character. The dining room was cozy and quaint. They didn't have a vegetarian soup which was slightly sad on a chilly evening. I had salad and the mushroom ravioli. Both were fine but nothing overly exciting. If you are really hungry, the ravioli may not be enough. My friend had the angel hair bolognese with minestrone soup. The soup was darker in color than any other minestrone I've ever seen. It's made with a beef base. The pasta dish was mediocre with lots of beef. The garlic bread was pretty good.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ron N.
Went here for our last night in Cortez...with the expectation of an amazing filet mignon. Unfortunately, there was no such item on the menu. But, I saw another steak that sounded just as appetizing, the beed brichole...but after my colleague and I ordered it we were told it was not available and was going to be taken off the menu sice it was not ordered frequently. So...I "settled" for the lasagna. The lasagna was really tasty...well seasoned, not too spicy, and had enough cheese and enough meat. The service was good, the atmosphere average...overall good place to eat. Would return if in the mood for lasagna but would go to Shiloh's for a steak.
(4)Jamie W.
I guess I shouldn't expect much for remote southwestern Colorado. I love Italian food and had to stop in. The menu was solid and the pasta was good. The service was average. The house Chianti was a little below average and the pours were very small.
(3)Deborah E.
We were going cross country and stopped for the night in Cortez, CO. The desk clerk at the hotel suggested Nero's. I am so glad she did. It was DELICIOUS! I had the meatball sub, my daughter had the lasagna and my husband had the chicken marsala. I have not had a better meatball sub outside New York. The bread crust and meatballs were wonderful! My daughter loved her lasagna. However, my husband was just meh about his chicken marsala. The presentation was great and they used local ingredients. I would highly recommend this place if you are in the area. It is pricey, but well worth it!
(5)Ian W.
After a day of visiting the Aztec Ruins and Mesa Verde, we stopped at Nero's for a much needed Italian dinner. The casual atmosphere here is nice and cozy (literally sitting very close to the next table) like a Main Street bistro. The dining room is decorated with colorful and pretty Southwestern artwork and decorations. The menu offers a very appetizing but simple Italian menu including appetizers, soups, salads, pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, seafood, veal, children's menu, desserts and nightly specials. The prices here are reasonable. Dinner entrees come with soup or salad and bread. Beer and wine are available from the bar. Check out the menu at subee.com/neros/home.html First, I started out with a good hearty cup of Minestrone Soup and my friend started out with a decent mixed green salad, with oil & vinegar. For dinner, I had the Italian Stroganoff over Fettuccine, which was very good and tasty. My friend is very particular when it comes to pasta wanted "Spaghetti with Sausage." However, the menu didn't offer spaghetti, but instead linguine and penne with sausage, which he doesn't really care for. He looked puzzled, but I asked our waitress if he could substitute angel hair for linguine and that request was accepted, but for an additional charge of $2.00 more. My friend couldn't understand why the extra charge, but the waitress explained to him angel hair costs more than linguine and penne. Oky-dokey! He enjoyed the Angel Hair with Spicy Italian Sausage & Tomato Sauce and cleaned the dish. We skipped dessert. The service was attentive. Nero's was definitely a good choice for dinner in Cortez!
(4)cindy b.
I went back here and it was a hot day, not ideal for Italian but I remembered that Quail. Instead I had leg of pork prepared Osso Bucco, something I'd not had before. It was very good, served with a rice risotto that was deep and rich, and a sprinkle of crisp julienned zuchinni... I also had a salad, a local wine, and for dessert a small (for me, just the right size after this dinner) Lime mousse. I like this restaurant, the same chef was working there, and I'd count it as a reliably good meal when on your way to and from all the sights of the area.
(4)Karen D.
We had Thanksgiving dinner here. My dad is in a nursing home and couldn't travel to our house for dinner. First off, I'm very grateful for restaurants who stay open on a holiday and the staff who give up their holiday to serve other people. That said, the server who waited on us had no idea what the specials were. If you don't know, it's okay to write it down - but he didn't do that, either. They had no "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner - something an elderly person like my dad was really looking forward to. The specials they had were good and varied - sea bass, New York steak, and fettucini Alfredo. The soup (beef barley) was out of a can - mushy veggies and tasteless. The entrees were tasty, but nothing extra special, especially considering the price. Cortez has few places where you can get a good steak, and although Nero's is one of them, I'd choose Shiloh's instead.
(2)Peter C.
If you want to arrive after 6pm on a winter weeknight, call ahead and make a reservation. They like to close early. We walked in at 6:30pm on our first attempted visit and were turned away. On our second attempt we called at 6:10pm and asked how late they would be open and were told not much longer, unless we made a reservation, so we did, for 6:20pm. Other than the rushed service, like they couldn't wait to get us out of there so they could close, the food was pretty decent. Not great. Not fabulous. But decent.
(3)Paul P.
Excellent menu and cute patio. Thoroughly enjoyed both dishes that I had here; delicious homemade salad dressing. Was a bit taken back by the owner/manager who seemed kinda snippy or elitist with both me and the staff -- thank goodness the food is good.
(4)Jed W.
Well, I'm not an Italian food fan, but Nero's hit the spot during our trip to Southwest Colorado. The waitress was just average, but the dinner was very good though on the higher end of the price scale for what you get. I had the Pesto past dish with chicken and it was probably the best I've had.
(3)Natalie T.
This place had some amazing amazing food! We spent the entire day in Canyon De Chelly in Arizona and then made the long drive to Cortez, CO. With a party of 5 we were worried we would have to be eating out for pizza or fast food in this small town, so it was definitely a relief to find Nero's on Main street next to our hotel. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli in Alfredo sauce with a side of tomato bisque. The bisque was so perfect, not too hot and soo tasty with a little bit of olive oil and green sauce (pesto?) The rest of the people in our party had spaghetti, blakened salmon (very well cooked), and a garden salad. This was the best garden salad I had ever seen for $5.95. While some of the plates may have been slightly overpriced (not because of their quality but their quantity) the salad was a great deal. Especially the balsamic chile maple dressing. Yes, you heard me right, balsamic chile maple dressing. It was to die for. I tried to sneak it out in my purse but it didnt go over so well :/ The atmostphere was great. The food was fabulous. We wish we had stayed in Cortez another night so we could eat there again!
(5)Ruth V.
Ah, Nero's, how I miss you. The *old* Nero's, that is -- before the original owner sold the business. This new incarnation looks the same but it ain't. Food is bland and tends to arrive overcooked. Sweet little touches, like homemade desserts and salad dressing in a chilled container on the side, no longer exist. Avoid the house wines (from Olathe, which is known for CORN...need I say more?) It's still, sadly, one of the better places to eat in Cortez...but it's extremely overpriced for what it has become - a mediocre Italian restaurant. Nero's is trading on reputation at this point. If you're a real foodie, go have some elk steak at Shiloh, or better yet, drive to Durango.
(3)Carol B.
Wow! What a great find. This little place is at the end of Main Street and could be easy to miss, but find it if you are ever in Cortez. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and incredible food. We were impressed with every bite from start to finish. The house salad dressing was perfect on fresh greens. The quail was roasted just right and the mushroom ravioli the best I have ever had. And don't get me started on the homemade ice cream. I expected to be eating the same old diner type fare in Cortez, but I couldn't have been more wrong. And make sure to try some of the local Pinot Noir with your meal. I highly recommend Nero's!
(5)M K.
The service was good and the place has character. The dining room was cozy and quaint. They didn't have a vegetarian soup which was slightly sad on a chilly evening. I had salad and the mushroom ravioli. Both were fine but nothing overly exciting. If you are really hungry, the ravioli may not be enough. My friend had the angel hair bolognese with minestrone soup. The soup was darker in color than any other minestrone I've ever seen. It's made with a beef base. The pasta dish was mediocre with lots of beef. The garlic bread was pretty good.
(3)