Incredible food and service. Make a reservation for the music side to enjoy while dining. Drinks are stiff too always a plus.
(5)
Melissa W.
What a pleasant date night! I drive past Nonna's every day on my way to work and we decided to try it tonight! Nonna's has a cozy and intimate atmosphere with friendly and prompt service. We were lucky enough to come on a night with live music, and man! It made the experience complete! We started with the bruschetta for an appetizer; they smelled amazing from the minute they hit the table! The only addition we would have liked is balsamic vinegar. I ordered the Asparagus Ravioli. Wow! I loved every bite! I definitely do not like sauces with lemon, but this may have changed my mind! The ravioli were cooked perfectly and the sauce was light and coated the ravioli marvelously! My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp Scampi and was equally satisfied! I was also pleased to see the different wine flights and they are served in a 3-tier wine glass holder, making it easy to identify which wine is which! We thoroughly enjoyed our date night at Nonna's on a Friday night! Go! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Colette P.
Awesome food! Our waitress, Abbie, was great.
(5)
Catherine C.
The husband and I like to go here for occasional date nights. The food is great. Love the fried calamari!
(4)
Jeff S.
I've been wanting to come here for a long time. I have tried their signature sandwich at the Italian Festival and it's awesome, so the other night I finally made it here for dinner. We were sat immediately, it took a few minutes to be greeted and get water, but after that the attention was pretty good. I think the server was nervous or overwhelmed, because it was a little bumpy. Nevertheless he was friendly. We started with the stuffed Italian mushrooms which were excellent. The bread was also fresh and tasty, and I liked the marinara sauce, which had a slightly bitter taste that lent a very original flavor. For dinner we ordered the Chef's Special pizza, and that was the downside. I didn't know what to expect, but the lady wanted to try it so that's what we got. I'd recommend staying away from this, very bland crust, too much cheese, and soggy. Overall I was dissatisfied with this. It's also cut into squares, which is kind of a pet peeve of mine. My only other complaint was how small and cramped it was. We were placed at a 2x2 table in the back and I was uncomfortable throughout the whole meal. Looking around, there really isn't much room anywhere. I'd be willing to come back sometime and try something from the regular menu, and I'll surely order the mushrooms again if I go.
(3)
Coy P.
My wife and I have been to Nonna's three times now. The first time was for our 5th anniversary, and we were sat next to the piano player who was playing jazz all night. We loved the ambiance, as well as the food. The second time was to eat out with a couple friends, and again, Nonna's knocked it out of the park. The third time was for our 7th anniversary. Now, the wine is great, the Fried Zucchini was great, the salads were on par, and the main dishes were very good. I had the Chicken Florentine, and it was superb. The kicker for the night was the service though. Sean did an amazing job of making sure we were taken care of, but he also went above and beyond. After sitting down we briefly chatted about football since it was Sunday. He asked who my team was, and since they were playing at the time of our dinner, he found ways throughout to mention the score. My wife got quite the kick out of it, and I appreciated the cantor. Sean also put together the Tiramisu plate by writing in chocolate sauce "Happy 7th Anniversary". Seriously, this is how you get repeat customers. The check came with the current football score wrote in the top left, again, much to our humor. I can assure you that Sean will be seeing more of us, and Nonna's food and service is hard to beat.
(5)
Carrie L.
This review is for take out. I have been to this restaurant years ago and enjoyed it, so last night we ordered take out from Nonnas. It was mediocre at best. The pasta was overcooked and soggy. Odd for an Italian restaurant, usually pasta is cooked al dente. Perhaps it got soggy in transit? Still odd. I had veal piccata in a lemon butter sauce. The veal was grisly and looked like they took one piece and gave me half. The sauce was mostly cream and no flavor. The 2 pastas each came with salad and bread and were almost $50. Very disappointing.
(2)
Clinton C.
My partner and I checked out Nonna's after seeing it in the same strip mall as where he gets his haircut. Do not let this location fool you. 1.) The wait staff (Sean) was personable, knowledgeable, and a joy to interact with. He gave food recommendations, suggested we split a wedge salad (which he kindly put on two cold salad plates... nice touch), and never let our pops get empty. 2.) The food was wonderful. We had the OMG this-is-amazing calamari, the wedge salad with yummy Bleu Cheese crumbles, and veal and chicken marsala that ranked among the best we've ever had. 3.) The ambiance with live music in the background was also a treat. All in all, a five-star experience. We'll be back.
(5)
Kristin H.
I love this family-owned restaurant! I've been here probably 5 times in the last 6 months. The food is amazing...try the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, shrimp vodka pasta, lasagna... I could go on. The fish is delicious too! If you're in the mood for wine, try the malbec...I order this every time i go. At times when the restaurant is crowded, service can be slow. But stick around - it's worth it! If parking in front is full, pull around back - there is plenty of parking there.
(5)
Russ S.
We again visited Nonna's last night...and everything was spot-on. They really do have wonderful food; it's more a traditional family hearth and home type of Italian, not artistic/fusion modern representations of Italian that are so popular these days. Our server this visit was warm, friendly, prompt and knowledgeable (Mandi?). The busboy was always there immediately to clear plates and refill water, and all staff had smiles on their faces throughout our visit. Timing of everything was ideal. This is a local family-run place and deserves your patronage. Again, though, the wine list could use some tweaking. There are numerous very affordable bottles offered, but none of them very good. This does not detract from the excellence of the food, atmosphere and service for this updated rating, however. We'll definitely make this a regular neighborhood haunt...I'm already craving their stuffed mushroom appetizer again.
(5)
Rob M.
I went to Nonna's to use a Goupon. I've become a Groupon fanatic as of late. The atmosphere was nice and very Italian, except for the drop tile ceiling. It is in a strip mall after all. It had a very mom and pop family owned feel. The broadway genre of music, I think, is perfect for a small, romantic Italian restaurant, but the volume was so low you couldn't hear it. The service was mediocre, but I wasn't very put off, because everything else was very good. The food was awesome. We had mussels and calamari as appetizers. I happened to be sitting next to the young lady at the bar that came up with the recipe for the calamari. It was as good or better than Capital Grille's calamari. Different and delicious. The mussels were as good as any I've had in Denver. My friend had chicken marsala. It wasn't really sweet like a lot of marsalas. It was good and light. My chicken picata was the best I've ever had. Honestly, I don't order picata often, but I was impressed nonetheless. When I taste something that delicious I often "recreate" it at home. The picata and the calamari will be on the home menu soon... Overall four stars. With improved service standards put into place, I think Nonna's can be a top Denver Italian restaurant.
(4)
Richard B.
First time, and I've never felt more welcome! Sausage and peppers was tremendous.
(4)
Sharon K.
Yum! We live in the neighborhood so visit Nonna's probably once a month. It's a cosy slice of Italy in an easy-to-overlook strip mall. We consider it great food and a good value. All but 2 or 3 entrees are under $20 and are served with bread and a salad. The portions are always plentiful, the salad tasty and the parmesan bread is perfectly crunchy, warm and served with a side of marinara which I just love. My favorite is the parmesan crusted chicken. My man just celebrated his 45th birthday and Nonna's was his pick for a small dinner party of 10 people. Our reservation was waiting for us as requested...no easy feat considering the place was packed. All of our friends were new to Nonna's so we were quite curious to hear what they had to say about their new dining experience. It was a solid thumbs-up all around. Everyone agreed Nonna's would get a repeat performance. Abby was our most excellent server and never missed a beat...highly recommend her! Ok...that's it for us, just sharing the love for a good meal.
(5)
Katie D.
OMG...terrible service! We went on a Monday night, sat right away (not crowded at all). Took the waiter 15 minutes to get our drink order, 20 minutes for the bread to arrive, entrees were about an hour wait...for pasta???? The food was decent, but so not worth the aggrevation of the terrible service!
(1)
Julie D.
My husband and I were looking for a casual place with live music and thought of Nonna's. We sat at the bar and was greeted and served by Abby King. She was outgoing, friendly and knowledgeable about her wines. We sat next to some real friendly regulars, who were lots of fun to talk to. We tried a couple of apps (calamari and bruschetta ) and both were delicious. The calamari was prepared differnt than I ever had and was cooked perfectly. We look forward to heading back there and realize it would be the type of place to go alone, with the kids or another couple.
(5)
Danielle B.
The food is good. That being said, it is entirely WAY too overpriced. You excpect to pay good money for good Italian food, but I think they overestimate the value of what they serve. I had the Bolegnese, which was delicious and pretty spicy for $17, but after eating it, the portion size and taste was more like a $13 or $14 bolegnese. My husband is Italian and we know Italian food. Even the children's meals are overpriced ($7-$9) Who wants to spend $9 on a kids item that your child only eats a few bites of anyway (like my preschooler)? The atmosphere was pleasant. There was a musician in there singing which was nice. He took requests but did not know or have the music to the two songs I requested. The place was packed on a weeknight. Reservations recommended because the entryway is so thin and crowded with people that it is an uncomfortable wait. The service was slow. It took forever to see our waitress and to get anything. But the hostess and server were very nice.
(3)
David M.
Decor is a little over-the-top 80s with grapes vines in green and purple painted over an ochre colored wall, but it lends the place a retro-NJ-mob-like ambience. Kinda like you wouldn't be suprised to see Tony and Carmela sitting in the back with A.J. or Meadow on a Friday night. OK, enough of that. What about the food/drinks? I needed to find a place on Leetsdale for a birthday lunch with a sick friend and she can't travel that far. Nonna's was one of the few places in the area with a bar that fit the bill. The place is comfortable and the meal I got was good. Not great, but good. Had an arugula salad with a hefty piece of salmon cooked medium rare, just like I ordered. At $14.95 it wasn't a bargain, but the salad did come with a decent amount of chopped proscuitto blended in, which is an expensive addition. My suggestion: Serve a little smaller piece of salmon and cut the price by a couple of bucks. Actually, the best part of the meal was the glass of wine I ordered. Turns out they're a wine bar, too, serving over 20 different wines by the glass. Add to that fact that the wine pour was generous, verging on a full 6 oz, and I might have just talked myself into checking the place out over the weekend when they have live music. Bottom line, if you're in the neighborhood give 'em a try. I wouldn't make a special trip to go, but not bad, especially for a glass of wine and some live music for a cheesy retro date night with your babe.
(3)
Frankie V.
This is not a fancy Italian Restaurant. It is more like a local neighborhood place. The food was very good and the servings were large. They had a very varied menu in which everyone could find something that they liked. Even the salads and bread that came with the meals were done right. The wine menu was reasonable. The seating area was comfortable and relaxing.
(4)
Bonnie S.
Have been to Nonna's many times under the "old" and "new" owners (which aren't that new). Love them both. When asked where I want to go there is no hesitation, it's Nonna's and there is NEVER an alternative mentioned. We both love the place. It is NOT an Olive Garden, which I also happen to like. That is fine for after shopping or hard day at work. Nonna's is fine dining that is NOT overpriced. What you pay is solely dependent on what you order. Everyone is different. We prefer to go on a Fri. or Sat. and not just make a meal of it but a night of it. We look upon it as great dining and an evening of entertainment combined. Although we have gone for just an "in and out dinner on the go" which does not have to be expensive and yet great food. On Fri. and Sat. there is a light jazz trio and we plan our evening around them, a great meal, plan to stay the evening, and cab it both ways. It is our treat to ourselves and a wonderful evening. Let's talk about the present and menu specifics. On the appetizer menu we love the Italian Stuffed Mushrooms. They are to die for!!! When my vegetarian friend is in town, who travels extensively on business, (she loves going here), we order the Baked Parmesan Carciofo. Either one are a WOW! See the menu on their website. Entrees: I cannot be budged off the Beef Brasciole (beef pounded thin and stuffed with Italian sausage, something else that I think is cheese and Italian seasonings), baked in Marinara sauce and served with pasta and the best crisp tender vegetables on the side... (After the appetizer and salad, and I forgot to mention the bread - later, I take half of it home because there is so much. Don't mind doing that. I then have another gourmet meal two nights in a row without lifting a finger in the kitchen.) I have had the penne vodka shrimp and it was great, also. My other half says we could skip the appetizer and I say, "No way". We both have the gourmet meals the next evening and he agrees. Last Sat. he had the Baked Penne and Sausage and it was wonderful. He always changes up. Not me I'm stuck on Beef Brasciole. My best friend had the Asparagus Ravioli and she said it was great. She even turned down breakfast because she had been thinking about it and just wanted the leftovers for breakfast before I took her to the airport. There are also other vegetarian items on the menu that she can eat. Can't forget to mention the bread. My girlfriend and I are NOT bread eaters but my other half is. I am surprised that he got anything. Don't know what they have on it but it is WONDERFUL with or without the marinara sauce that they serve with it. We ordered a loaf to send home on the plane with my girlfriend. The staff (so friendly and accommodating from the hostess, to wait staff, to bartender), music, and food are just out of this world! Treat yourself! Don't you deserve it? Check out the menu on their website.
(5)
Peg T.
I want to love this place. The food is very good, although a little on the expensive side. The problem is the service. Usually friendly, but always painfully slow, no matter what time of day.
(2)
shay c.
I've heard this place has a cult-ish following with the wealthy crowd in Glendale, and I can attest to that after seeing all the expensive cars sitting outside. I get soooo frustrated that their food is so expensive (especially lunches). I wonder sometimes if they would experiment with cheaper lunch menus, if they would have more customers than the 1 person sitting in there every time I go in to order something. I would love to pay $7 for their lunch salad, not $13-$15. I would come back a LOT more frequently, too. Just seems like that would cater more towards the demographic in this area, too. The food is usually just ok or good but it varies every time. The bread is sometimes dripping in oil, sometimes dry and crispy. I give props to them as a local businesses for staying put for a handful of years through this nasty economy, but I just can't get past the prices. It drives me nutty!
(2)
Patrick Brandon M.
The ambiance is comfortable and enjoyable, the service quite sufficient, the food good. Everything is fine, really, except that the owner, after we had been there about an hour and fifteen minutes on a Friday night, rather rudely asked my party to leave by saying: "The place is getting full, but come back another time!" Some in my party didn't know whether he actually meant for us to leave. I cannot think he meant anything else. Why would an owner tell a table that the restaurant was getting crowded? We left hurriedly but politely. I have been there several times and would go back. But if I were pressured to leave again, I would sooner find another Italian restaurant committed to seated customers.
(3)
Brady K.
So in my world, if I were to give a restaurant two stars, it would most likely mean that I would never go back. Strangely, I've been to Nonna's three times and plan to go a fourth. More on this later. To start, Nonna's has a great atmosphere that gives you the feel of an old classic Italian restaurant. Every time we have gone, you can see a lot of people there and it gives me the impression that a lot of loyal locals like this place. As far as the food, I find that Nonna's has a problem with attention to detail and consistency. Today, I had the spaghetti and meatballs. Previously, I've had the osso bucco. In both situations, the meat was somewhat dry. The taste was there, but its those little things like making sure the bottom of the meatballs are not over cooked that tend to separate a memorable experience from an average one. I've been to a lot of italian restaurants from high end and low end. Regardless of the level of a restaurant, any Italian restaurant should take pride in their marinara and I just didn't feel that it had the depth that I've experienced and other restaurants. I ate everything on my plate, but that is primarily a reflection of the pig in me. My wife had the Mediterranean Baccalao and it was pretty awful for her. Fortunately for us, the manager noticed that she didn't finish her plate or ask for a box. He tried to pry her for some criticism, but she's too polite for that. Regardless, he didn't charge us for the fish or our dessert and declined to use our groupon. Because of that, we tipped generously despite the fact that service was very slow. Anyway, we will be back a fourth time.
(2)
Andrea P.
I had been eyeing Nonna's for awhile now, not like in the bushes stalking it, but like going to the Vet with the never ending bulldog woes right next to it and thinking to myself "Man I do love some Italian food!" Inside the place isn't really what you'd expect for the area, it's a bit more fancy than the strip-mall appearance on the outside. There was live music, friendly service (including the new owner - though they could be a bit more quick on the table greet and getting drinks/bread out, though in their defense I had "pre-gamed" before coming so maybe time was only a concept to me at that point) and the food was awesome! My one gripe is price, I found it a bit expensive, maybe it's not expensive and I only thought it should be cheaper given it's location, I'm not sure, that's hard to tell. Okay, so yes, it's expensive for the area...but you're getting high quality food and a good portion. Maybe not like a huge portion you'll be eating leftovers for a week kind but enough to walk away feeling satisfied. Plus I don't know what kind of crack they put in their salad dressing b/c it was sooooo good. It's a weird compliment, but once you have it you'll totally know what I mean.
(4)
Stephanie D.
Where's my Nonna? I miss the Old Nonna's when it was about taking care of the client, relationships and good food. The new owners don't know the first thing about customer service or building relationships. We went in tonight and yes after 4plus years we had a Gift Certificate so we spent about $50.00 more than we would normally spend to adhere to the many restrictions. But that wasn't enough when it came time to pay the Owner totally sweated us about using the G/C and made comments about losing money on us. BTW 2 people with a $25 G/C still spent $77.00 plus a $25.00 tip. Hardly losing money...plus we have told hundreds of people about the restaurant since it is in our hood and we know at least 20 couples that have started going there on our recommendation. In fact we had a holiday party there 2 years ago...not anymore...I'm done and I have over 1,000 people on my linkedIn and I plan to share my experience with everyone of them. I am so sad, as going to Nonna's was always a special treat and I don't know a lot of couples nowadays who can drop $100 on a Wednesday night on dinner. Shame on you Nonna...remember...you are still in a strip mall with limited parking you have a lot of negatives against you the only thing that made you successful was the amazing service and great food...don't tarnish your predecessor's legacy...hold yourself to the same excellence they did.
(2)
Stacy S.
Best Italian I have had in Denver so far! I have been there twice - once for lunch and once for dinner. Both times I have had exceptional service! It may be a bit 'more expensive,' but definitely well worth it -you're getting awesome food. Great atmosphere (with live music during dinner). I would highly recommend it!
(5)
Michelle C.
A friend recommended Nonna's awhile back. I was nearby so I decided to give it a shot despite the mixed reviews. I had the cheese ravioli and a wedge salad. The wedge was good, standard lettuce & dressing. It's pretty difficult to get salad wrong so I wasn't super impressed. After the first bite of ravioli, it was apparent that they do not make this product fresh. It tasted like those cheap prepackaged meals that you buy from the frozen section of the supermarket.. The pasta was rubbery and the sauce was very watery. I agree with the other reviewers who mentioned the pricing. I don't mind paying more for fresh ingredients and higher quality foods, but this experience fell way short of that. Service was good, and it's a nice place. This review really should be a 2.5 based on those 2 things, but the overpriced food from a freezer bag pretty much killed it for me. I could've gotten better food from a chain at half the price.
(2)
Maxine C.
I was at Nonna's about a year ago and was not impressed at all the owner sat at the bar and ignored every customer that walked in the door but the food was sooo good I gave it another chance and to my surprise there was new owners, what a difference it made. The service was amazing and the food was better then I rememberd, I love meat ball Monday and now my family and I eat there at least once a week, every thing on the menu is Yummie
(5)
David F.
Love this place as a perfect gem hidden away in a strip center on the corner of Monaco and Leetsdale of all places. Serious, the food and staff make this place because the housing project behind it are a little rough or so they look that way from the parking lot. Don't let that get to you though. We had not problem getting there, getting a table and after a few hours no concerns leaving.
(4)
Madeleine L.
The food and service were both amazing. The owner came over to make sure we were ok several times and give us a little back story. Well definitely be back.
(5)
Jaime N.
I love Nonnas! This family owned restaurant has such a great feel. I've been there numerous times and I love that they have various family pictures all over the tables and walls, it really makes you feel at home. The food is great! I am not an italian food connoisseur by any means, but I am always impressed with how good the food is! They have a good variety of salads and italian favorites like eggplant parmigiana and spaghetti and meatballs. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to go on a date (last night they had a live singer), anyone who wants a good bite to eat or anyone who wants to have a nice place to have a family meal.
(4)
Rosie G.
I have been visiting Nonna's for many years. Since the original Restaurant in South Easr Denver off Orchard ( I think). Until last night the experience had been wonderful. I dine with two separate groups of 8-10. We have always had wonderful service. While the food was still great, the waiter refused to give separate checks. We have AWAYS had separate checks. Claiming he was a son of Nonna's and the business has been sold and the new system is one check per table we went with the system. Then had to spend 30 minutes dividing up the amounts, tax, and service fee. We also did not appreciate being called "Honey", "Dear", Sweetie", etc by this waiter. It is a shame that we can no longer visit this great place. There are so many restaurants in the Denver. We have one other time been refused separate checks in about 25 years. The food is great.
(3)
Harry G.
What a great place!! The food was amazing, big portions and great taste. The drinks were made right and the live jazz was perfect. If you like real Italian you will love this place.
(5)
Beth M.
The service here was very friendly, and we seemed to be surrounded by people who were also on vacation- so everyone was happy. I ordered the veggie calzone which was HUGE, & my mom ordered the lasagna... She said it was stuffed with spicy sausage. The calzone was good, the bread/crust on it was great- crispy but with some chew and not too thick or thin. Since I was headed to the airport afterward, she went home with 2 decent sized meals. Of you go here, have no shame in sharing a meal or eating half and taking the other home for later- the portions ate very big. I think they probably have dessert, but I'd you're looking for something not on the menu... There's a donut store in the same strip.
(4)
Robert C.
We finally went to Nonna's to use a coupon we got from Restaurant.com and all I can say is....Why did we wait so long to use that coupon??? The restaurant is nicely decorated with family photos on the table tops and menus. The service was very fast and friendly even after they saw that we had a restaurant.com coupon! We started our meal with "Chandler's Sicilian Calamari", probably the tastiest Calamari we've ever had. My wife didn't seem to mind the capers and she usually hates capers! She had the Madd Pasta and I had the Brasciole, both dishes were very good. They were served piping hot and better than we expected. We finished the meal with a Canoli, the shell was nice a crisp and the stuffing wasn't too sweet. We are really looking forward to returning for another meal.
(5)
Blake H.
My wife and I have eaten here three times now. Each with different results. The brad they server you is wonderfully delicious. The menu is a bit pricey, but they are a small restaurant. They have pretty decent wine by the glass and a mostly full bar. The stuffed mushrooms appetizers are pretty tasty. The salads are ok, not great, but their homemade vinaigrette is the highlight of the salad. I've had the chicken Marsala, the angry pasta, and the white fish (i forgot it's fancy Italian name). The chicken Marsala tasted weird, not quite Marsala, more like a Marsala cream sauce that was brown? The Angry pasta was just that, angry and spicy. I love d it. The white fish was the best fish I've ever had at an Italian restaurant. Overall if you;re looking for a slightly over priced restaurant with pretty decent food, this is a good choice.
(4)
Kelly W.
We love Nonna's!!! We eat here once a week. Staff is mostly family I believe. Or at least they act like it. They always make you feel at home. Amazing food. Everything from pizza to pasta. You can not go wrong here. Crooner sings on the weekends ;)
(5)
Deborah H.
I recently dined at Nonna's Bistro. Fabulous experience. As I walked in, I could hear Frank Sinatra singing. The aroma stirred my appetite. I had their house Merlot, which was delicious. We asked to share an entree of their famous lasagna. Our server, Jessica, was very gracious and brought the lasagna already divided on individual plates. The homemade bread was dense and delicious. The tables are a collage of photos of actors and singers from the 50's and 60's. I felt like I had stepped back in time. This was a very relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. I would definitely recommend Nonna's.
(5)
Alisa N.
The place is a bit expensive ($8-10 for appetizer, 17-30 for entree), but well worth it. The atmosphere is nice with a band playing now and then. The food is always flavorful and the waiters are friendly and know what they're talking about and doing. Wonderful place.
(5)
S F.
After seeing Nonna's on the corner every time I was stuck in traffic at rush hour, I finally convinced my boyfriend it was time for a visit. Of course, our decision was made easier by a Restaurant.com coupon for $25 off our meal of $35 or more. As soon as we walked in the door, I had a feeling it would be a good night. The aromas coming from the kitchen were spectacular. Since it was a week night, there weren't that many people there, which I'm sure adds to our service experience. We were sat immediately and I started browsing the menu. I have this thing where I'll choose 2-3 entrees, and then get suggestions from the waitstaff. Our waitress recommended the shrimp vodka penne, and I went for it. We got our bread, which was a nice change from all the other restaurants in the area. It was served with a very flavorful marinara and wasn't too much to weigh us down before our meal. Our food came out steaming hot. The shrimp penne was perfect... a little bit of a spicy kick with a ton of flavor. Fantastic. My boyfriend got their cheese ravioli with alfredo (it comes with marinara on the menu, but they were very accommodating), and the pasta and cheeses were all fresh, definitely adding to the appeal. By the time we had finished our meals, it was impossible to have dessert.. we were stuffed. As far as the price, I don't mind that their entrees are $2-3 higher than some of the chain restaurants, because the food and service quality was top notch. This is a place I will go back to occasions that call for something special.... or when I have a craving for their delicious dishes!
(4)
Susan E.
Went last night for the 2nd time (Groupons) and was even more impressed the second time around. You can't go wrong with this place.....everything from the quality/taste of the food; the service; the atmosphere is top notch. We were even lucky enough to catch some live jazz there.....bonus! I had the special....butternut squash ravioli with a crab cake and I practically licked the plate clean! You certainly would never expect everything I just mentioned on the inside by looking at the outside, but just like the quote says...."don't judge a book by its cover." Bon appetite!
(5)
Jennifer M.
Not sure why Nonna's is getting bad reviews. My husband and I love this place, and we're picky foodies who eat in the best restaurants in the city. This is one of our "comfortable" places to have a quick meal in during the week when we want something reliable and tasty. The service has always been great - we say it's like eating at a friend's house. We were in this week and our server asked about our experience and thanked us for coming in. It was like she actually wanted to know if there were problems, unlike most servers who don't want to be hassled. I have always found the food to be tasty - I usually stick with the pastas. The wine flights are great. And they bring out delicious fresh-baked bread with homemade marinara sauce. Yummy. The tiramisu tasted like it was made that afternoon - so fresh - and the portion was just right. We always leave Nonna's happy and satisfied!
(4)
Marie G.
this is one of those locations that has been 15 different businesses and they all failed. My experience at Nonnas was just OK. the food was decent, but not at all memorable and the atmosphere is really dull. I wish them the best in this jinxed spot, but doubt I will return.
(3)
Chad T.
Never a bad experience. If u want fast Italian go to fazolis. This is how Italians eat.
(5)
Amy F.
What a tasty and unexpected surprise! We live near here and have driven by a million times. I've always wondered about this place b/c it's in an ugly strip mall on a not lovely corner, but something about it looked promising. We finally went in (2 adults and a 2 year old) b/c of a Groupon. The place was busy and happy on a Sunday night. Server was attentive without being annoying. The food was really tasty and the portions were nice for sharing, but not huge. Prices for the meat and fish dishes seem a bit high, but you do get great bread and a salad with your entree. The pasta prices are more reasonable and I'm sure the pizza would be a good deal if you went that route to save money. I'm excited to have a new place to go right near my house.
(5)
Arthur S.
Have been to Nonna's twice and really enjoyed both meals. Wednesday nights are half off of bottles of wine which is great. The service is great and the whole place has that family owned feel. i definitely recommend checking it out.
(4)
Mary Jo S.
Nonna's is in a little strip mall by GW High. (It is a date place for a lot of the students and they even have student specials). I liked Nonna's and was really suprised at their offerings as I did not expect much from this strip mall. Once inside, you are in a small Italian bistro; it is warm and decorated nicely. The service was good as well as our meal; although the husband's Madd pasta (a Chef's special) was a bit too spicy for him. However, what sets this place apart is the flight of wine for wine drinkers and the music......out of the blue a gentleman sitting at the bar begins to sing, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, it's amore'". I love it, a free floor show with your meal.
(4)
David C.
I went here a long time ago when it first opened (had to be at least six years ago, if not longer) and returned for another visit recently. I enjoyed my meal this time, and I'm sure I did long ago as well, though I don't remember what I ate back then. I was in the mood for a veggie calzone this time, which was quite large and very tasty. They put their good marinara inside as well as giving a side of it on the plate, so no sauce issues here. Others at the table got a variety of meals, ranging from clams/mussels to piccata to marsala to lasagna. The food is advertised as Chicago-style, but the pizzas are thin-crust, which is odd. People seemed to enjoy their entrees, but wow - $18 for chicken marsala? $19 for linguini and clams? Even cheese ravioli was $15. This is waaay too much for decent Italian food; like I said, I enjoyed my calzone, but nobody seemed to think their dish was the best in town. If I'm paying that much, it better be. Parking can be a challenge because the strip mall only has so many spots, so probably it's best to go at an off time or early in the week. They do have live jazz on the weekends which would be nice though, and they have expanded over the years to include a wine bar which is a good draw. But unless they bring the prices down several dollars, I can't see myself eating here when I know several other great places in town.
(3)
Jessica M.
This Italian bistro in the middle of a hard-scrabble strip mall has won a place on my heart. We went with a group of six, and each dish ordered looked so tasty that I wanted to face-plant into every one. The service was amazing from start to finish - our waiter was the owner's son, and he was quite a character without being one bit overbearing. I constantly did the "look, it's an airplane!" routine to try and steal HH's lasagna, resulting in my being stabbed with a fork. Ouch, but totally worth it. The dessert was this chocolate souffle thing - pretty good, but I'll get the tiramisu next time. Prices were about what you would expect for an Italian restaurant - 15.00 to 20.00 a pop per entree, but everything was homemade and, frankly, I would have paid more.
(4)
Leonard R.
Had one of the most repellant dishes I have eaten in a restaurant. There was so much mustard in a chicken dish, it was enough to make me want to puke (literally - mustard is an emetic). The manager / owner / whatever made the lame excuse "It's Nonna's recipe". Really - they should have comped it. The linguine vongole tasted good, but for $18 you think they could throw in a dozen mussel - stupidly overpriced. It seems in Denver the Italian restaurateurs think all they need to do is put trompe l'oeil on the walls.
(2)
James J.
This place is great. It's hard to find, but the food is phenomenal. Probably tied with Cherry Tomato for the best Italian food I've found in Denver. I
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Don't bother going here unless you are desperate for live music at night and just happen to be at Monaco and Leetsdale, and your car breaks down. The meal was really sub, subprime (like the mortgages). First, the prosecco lacked bubbles, yes, flat like stale champagne. The sausage appetizer was greasy, the chix florentine was oily and lacked any distinct taste, and the pasta was useless. Why this place is full often is beyond me, and the prices are pretty stiff considering the food is so subpar. And you don't have to drive far to get really good Italian food, just head on over to 3rd and Holly to Locanda del Borgo, neighborhoody place, small, always busy and real bubbly prosecco!
(1)
Kelli F.
Nonna's is my favorite neighborhood resturant. The service is great and the food is awesome!
(5)
Joseph I.
Was thinking this place would be average at best, took some advice from a good friends and was thoroughly impressed. The food alone would keep me coming back, but the service and atmosphere were great as well. I had the Baked Penne with sausage and my girlfriend had the Chicken Parm. For an appetizer we had the fried zucchini which was the best i have ever had. We both loved our entrees and dessert was delicious also. The only reason I didn't give it 5 out of 5 is because the menu is not that extravagant, but if you are looking for delicious little italy style itlaian, this is the spot!
(4)
Tovah K.
Number 1 Italian Restaurant in Denver!!! My boyfriend and I are both from NY and were disappointed when we moved to Denver because of the lack of great Italian food. Nonna's is amazing!!! We have been there a ton and have invited friends and family. Strange location but soooo worth it. The tomato sauce is mmmmmm sooo good. The bread and pasta dishes we love. Great wine, atmosphere, and on weekends nice mellow jazz. Staff is friendly and fast!!!
(5)
Mark H.
Saw a couple recent mediocre reviews, so I just wanted to put a plug in for this place. My wife and I have been going to Nonna's on and off since it opened...albiet infrequently...but I can't think of a time the food or the service has been sub-par. We've been going there a little more often lately (including tonight), usually when I'm craving the Veal Parmigiana or my wife wants the Madd Pasta...which we've found to be consistently good. Hard to find good Veal Parm in Denver. Nonna's isn't cheap, but not out of line compared with other small family-owned Italian restaurants in the area. The atmosphere is classy, but I've never felt uncomfortable going there casual. Sometimes the service is a little slow, or the food takes a while...but tonight we were in and out in an hour. The servers have always been friendly and outgoing, and committed to making sure we have a good experience. Would recommend Nonnas if you're looking for a new place to try.
(5)
Joe F.
This and the Cherry Tomato are hands down the best italian in Denver. I'm from NY and have had my fair share of good Italian.
Great Italian food with a great atmosphere (despite being in a weird location). An authentic taste that is different from they typical italian chain restaurant.
(4)
Roberta L.
I was really disappointed when I left Nonna's which is different than when I walked in. The food was good. Southern Italy - spicer sauces - and we were one of 4 other tables there. But just as we started dinner - the restaurant filled up. Our waiter Michael became instantly freaked by the increase in tables and we were forgotten - we continued to try and get his attention for 15 minutes after we were finished with our dinner and then asked the manager (who is also his mom) to help us. The services went downhill from there with a quick drop off of the check, no more chatty banter. The check was not itemized and was $85 - we had chicken parm, cesar salads, 2 deserts, and 2 Pelegrinos. Totally overpriced, and I believe the bill was wrong, but I didn't have the time or patience to wait to get an itemized bill - we won't be back.
(1)
J R.
This little restaurant doesn't have the most auspicious exterior, but it is better than you'd expect for a strip mall! The service is friendly and welcoming, and the food was quite good! I like it - very relaxed and low key. Also, they had run out of the wine I wanted so they substituted a nicer one at no additional change, which was a nice touch.
(4)
Holly B.
Went to this place in a group of 5 for a friend's birthday. She & her husband were super into Nonna's (they had this restaurant cater their wedding). The food was good, but I found it pretty overpriced. Nonna charges what a restaurant in Lodo would charge, and considering their location in a strip mall on Leetsdale, I think it's a little much. So I take away two stars for overpricing. But the service was great, our waitress did not rush us at all, and was quite friendly. We went on a Sunday night, and there was only one other group in the restaurant, so I guess Sundays are not so busy there. My friends really enjoyed the "Flight" of wine- for a set price, they give you 3 mini glasses of wine from three different countries. Overall, good food and service, but too expensive.
(3)
yelper s.
Went with my husband the other night, after driving by many times. Prices seemed a little bit steep, but entrees came with a nice salad, and delicious garlic bread with a side of marinara, which evened things out. Generous pours of a wide assortment of wines by the glass, too. We were pleasantly surprised by the food -- it was really good! The service was the only hiccup. It wasn't horrific, but it wasn't good. We were seated promptly, and the service was OK -- not great, not warm, but serviceable, like good (not over the top friendly) service at a Chili's. Our plates were removed quickly -- sometimes too quickly. The worst was at the end -- we were using a Restaurant.com certificate for part of our bill. We handed over the check folder with the Restaurant.com certificate and our debit card. My husband was holding in his hand a $10 bill that we planned to use for the tip (20% on the full amount, pre-certificate -- we always tip 20%, even though we both said later that we weren't sure our lackadaisical service really deserved 20%). When we got the check back to sign ... the waiter had added a 20% gratuity to the debit charge, without saying a word to us about it. I didn't see it in any written policies, either. We would have appreciated the chance to tip in cash, as we intended to do. And I've never had a restaurant automatically add 20% to a meal for a party of two (very low-maintenance party of two!). It really left a sour taste in our mouths -- if he hadn't done that, this would be a 4-5 star review, but I don't like feeling conned.
(3)
Kathy J.
Voted #1 Italian Restaurant in Denver. I love this place. Awesome food and a great staff. The owner makes you feel like very welcome. I have been there several times and never disappointed. Great food and conversation.
(5)
Patsy G.
We had recently moved to the area and decided to try Nonna's midweek. There was no wait and we walked right in and sat down, which is always a nice thing. The atmosphere was nice for a neighborhood restaurant. The wine is really overpriced by the glass considering they are not the best of selections. The Cesar salad was nicely served on a chilled plate but was very lemony in flavor. The pasta dish we ordered was penne with artichoke and sun dried tomatoes. The tomatoes were too large and flavorless and the sauce was thin and bland. The chicken was rubbery and overcooked. The dish was served so hot that it seemed to have been microwaved to get this hot as opposed to made to order. The chocolate cake was horrible and dry and we regretted splitting our dinner so we could order dessert!! As this was a mid week dinner we split the whole meal and even with a dessert the price was still over $50 for two people!! At this price there are better selections with better food and I will never return to Nonnas.
(1)
Nicole S.
The restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is surprisingly cozy and romantic. We visited for lunch and were amazed by the attentive service and high quality, authentic Italian cuisine. The asparagus ravioli featured the perfect blend of lightly steamed asparagus, lemon cream sauce, and fine cheeses. The baby clams in the linguine vongole were slightly over cooked, but the light, flavorful sauce more than made up for that. The waitress was also very nice and accommodated my request for additional marinara sauce to accompany my meal.The only drawback is the high-end price tag for the limited portions. Even so, this is a do-over for a special occasion.
(4)
Char L.
This was my first experience with Nonna's Bistro and the manager pretty much ruined it for me. I called at 8:30pm to place a to-go order and the manager said, "Well it's 8:30pm and we close at 9:00... Are you going to be here before 9:00??" I was a little shocked that he just said this, acting like I was a huge inconvenience to give them business and pick up food. I explained that I live 2 minutes down the street, and the manager said I could pick up in 15 minutes. I arrived exactly 15 minutes later and right when I walked through the door, the manager didn't even greet me or say hello when he saw me. He just said, "Are you the take-out order?" I said yes and he sighed and said, "...Well it's not quite ready yet". Wow...excuse me for considerably making sure to arrive before you close, even though there are still 4 tables in the restaurant. He should not be in customer service, let alone a manager. Now the food was okay... The Chicken Parmesan was actually pretty good, but the portions are small for what you pay for. It looked like our food was thrown into a plastic container. My boyfriend even said that he felt like "he was eating a TV dinner". I was excited to try this place, especially with how close it is to my house and with so many positive reviews, but the manager is chasing away business. Sadly I will not be back.
(2)
Kati B.
I got a groupon to Nonna's so that I could take my boyfriend here for his Bday. Yay for groupons! We started with the bruschetta and a few glasses of wine. The bruschetta was delicious!!! Super fresh and juicy tomatoes, fresh, salty mozzarella, sweet balsamic vinegar, olive oil..simple yet perfect. So many restaurants can't handle a basic bruschetta but Nonna's nailed it! I could've just eaten several orders of bruschetta for my dinner and been happy. The wine list was also nice - lots of reasonably priced wines by the glass/bottle - but I'm not a wine snob, so I'm easy to please! I ordered the ravioli special for dinner. It was butternut squash ravioli with an asparagus cream sauce, shaved parmesan and grilled shrimp. Since I don't eat seafood, I ordered the shrimp on the side so that my boyfriend could eat them, and our server was happy to oblige. The BF ordered the chicken florentine. While we were waiting for our meals, we had small dinner salads and their garlic bread, which is served with a good marinara sauce for dipping. My BF liked his chicken florentine - the portion was huge, plenty of pasta and chicken and some sauteed veggies on the side. I thought my ravioli special was just ok. The cream sauce was good, but the ravioli were a little too sweet and the taste didn't go well with the sauce. And I'm a BIG fan of butternut squash ravioli, so I was a little disappointed. I just thought it would have been better if the squash filling was more savory instead of sweet, but maybe that's just me! I know some people like their squash on the sweet side. However, the BF really enjoyed his extra grilled shrimp and I definitely finished my meal, so obviously the sweetness of the ravs didn't turn me off too much! For dessert, the birthday boy ordered some bread pudding. I was too full so I didn't really eat any - he said it was good, but would've been better with ice cream. Isn't everything better with ice cream? After our groupon, I think our bill was around $55 or $60 - not bad considering 3 glasses of wine, appetizer, 2 entrees and dessert! We liked this place - I would definitely give it another shot!!
(4)
Michael S.
We had a great early dinner after a matinee musical event nearby. Everything was great on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Not going to knock your socks off with nouvelle cuisine, but good solid food from the Bruschetta appetizers to the Penne and Sausage and the vegetarian dishes selected by one of our part. Highly likely to visit again.
(4)
Grant D.
I've dined here about half a dozen times over the last 7ish years. Each visit, my opinion has improved. Two big negatives come to mind quickly. The first is the parking. Holy crud is it terrible! They are located in a strip-mall, so there isn't much that can be done about it. Still, when I hear we will be going there, the parking is the first thing I think about. Second, what kind of Italian restaurant doesn't have an Alfredo dish on the menu? Granted, I do love me some good Alfredo sauce, but I also use it as a baseline for the quality of the restaurant. If they can't make a good Alfredo, odds are they can't do much good. The second point is what initially turned me off about this place. I'm happy to say that I sucked it up and got something else. Turned out, they do other stuff pretty good too! Oh yeah, they have plates that make me think I'm traveling aboard the Starship Enterprise. That's just silly, but perhaps it matters to someone. The menu is mildly varied, but every item I've tried to date has been excellent. Wine selection is about the same as their menu; mildly varied. But again, they have done a decent job of selecting wines that pair well with their offerings. I do wish they had beer on tap; I get it, wine goes with Italian, but still. Staff has always been very friendly. Maybe not the quickest or best organized around, but I've always felt welcome and have been treated well. It is dimly lit (bring reading glasses, if you need them) and generally comfortable. It is fairly quiet, so loud-talkers can be heard throughout the restaurant when they are in attendance. Only twice have I been annoyed by another diner. Not Nonna's fault. I finally tried the boring old spaghetti and meatballs on our last visit. Sad to say, I will probably order the same next time too. It was delicious, and I'm still not sure how something so plain and boring could taste so good! Be sure to grab a couple of appetizers too, as they are all excellent. Some of the best calamari I've had in Denver. Not exactly a high hurdle, but still very good calamari....tentacles and all!
(4)
Erin H.
Hello, my name is Erin, and I'm an addict. A coconut addict. You might wonder how on earth that is relevant to a review of an Italian restaurant. Well, it's because they offer this heavenly three layer coconut cake on their dessert menu. I had to resist ordering another piece to take home, because I knew I would end up eating it that night. I can't say I'll be able to resist visiting again, and again, and again to keep eating that cake. It was abso-freakin-lutely fantastic with coconut custard between the layers and frosting coated with coconut flakes. Yum. And, the other things we got for dinner were also delicious. This could end up being my new favorite Italian place in town and it's conveniently close to the office - yay! The cocktail list had a number of choices and all looked delicious. I went with something that I think had "dragonfly" in the name. It had St. Germain, pomegranate liquor, vodka (I think), and some other yummy stuff. Let's just say I was very happy with my choice. Unfortunately, it didn't look like there was ever a happy hour on all those tasty choices. For dinner I opted for their "homemade lasagna" which is the version with meat (they also have a vegetarian lasagna). Again, delicious. Big chunks of beef and sausage, just enough cheese, and tasty sauce. I thought I'd eat half because it was so big, but ended up having to use restraint not to eat it all and ended up only bringing a little section home as leftovers. Entrees come with a nice house salad and some delicious warm bread served with marinara. I also tried my friend's bolognese and the flavors were excellent. As others have mentioned, the price point is a bit on the high side for an Italian restaurant, but I think they are completely reasonable given what you get. Many places I've been may be a little cheaper, but the salad is separate. Or, it's cheaper, but doesn't taste quite a good. Nonna's was fantastic. And, even if everything else had sucked, I'd still be back... for that coconut cake.
(5)
Kim S.
I use to come to Nonnas all the time, and loved it. We moved out of state and moved back. We came here for the first time in several years, and it just wasn't the same. It doesn't have the same warm feel that it had before. The waiter wasn't that attentive and the food isn't quite as good as it use to be. It's just not the same.
(2)
Cristina W.
I've had this place recommended me by dozens of Denver natives. I thought it was very overpriced and not much more delicious or authentic than Olive Garden. In fact, I almost prefer Olive Garden over this place.
(2)
Julie P.
It's Monday! I am sooooo excited to have found this little gem. We wondered in and were informed that it was Meatball Mondays! It was a perfect meal. Delicious bread, salad, and an amazing marinara sauce accompanied by two perfect meatballs. My new Monday fave. Yummy! P.S. The atmosphere is so cozy and comfy! Come seeeeeeeee!
(4)
Denise G.
Don't go to this restaurant if you are expecting an Italian Beef. This is much more of an Italian Restaurant than a Chicago eatery. I wasn't expecting that when I walked in, but everyone I start to tell about it, ask about their Italian beef. All I wanted when I arrived, was some chicken parmigiana. That is exactly what I got. Sitting on a bed of spaghetti pasta and doused in mariana, I was in heaven. Great lunch, and I even had leftovers. My lunch buddy went with a personal pizza covered with homemade giardinara. Again, it isn't a Chicago style pizza. It was a typical thin crust type pizza. She seemed pretty happy with it except she was surprised there were green olives on it. Not sure if that is normal with giardinara, but I had to throw that out there. Great service. I am pretty sure it was the owner herself that helped us. The prices are a bit high for lunch portions, but I was still happy with my choice. Cute restaurant for a family dinner or have a glass of wine at the bar.
(4)
Danielle J.
I've driven past this place a 1,000 times and would have never gone in if a friend hadn't absolutely raved about it. The strip mall it is in and the exterior don't seem promising, but the inside was super cute and cozy, and the food and service was fantastic. Their calamari isn't just some fried pieces slapped on a plate with some mayo dipping like many places do, but was wonderfully fresh with capers, kalamata olives & feta on top. Their Italian dressing wasn't just a food services version either and was fantastic. Beautiful presentation and taste! Even though we didn't go with the special for our dinner, they have 1/2 price bottles of wine on Wednesdays and had a decent selection of wines. I think this place is a total gem!
(4)
Eric B.
We love Nonna's!
(5)
Kate F.
This was a really great find from Yelp!! Fantastic ambience was killer! Live jazz band.... Good wine. Delish food. My salmon was a little over cooked, but the calamari was divine. Patty, our server, was just lovely!!!
(4)
Desiree K.
It's been 7 months since I've been here, but I decided to give it one last try- and I'm glad I did! It was a great experience. . From the greeting, the service and the food! I'm glad I gave it another shot and will be back much sooner than later!
(4)
Taylor L.
Tried this place out last Sunday and loved it! Very cozy spot with amazing food. I can't wait to go back when they have live music playing :) oh and the bartender Sarah was very kind and pleasant !
(5)
Nick F.
Wow this place is a hidden gem-the first time you visit they make you feel as appreciated as an old friend. The food is great and service even better.
(5)
Lace M.
The Italian dressing is so delicious! The clam/mussel pasta was very flavorful. Unfortunately the service of the waitress was not very good & it was a pretty slow night.
If your as big of a foodie as I am, then you know that there is a special place in your heart that can actually tell when something was made with love. This is hands down my most favorite Italian food in the front range! The Stuffed Mushrooms, The Mussels, The Pecan Crusted Salmon, The Spaghetti and Meatballs, The Eggplant Parmesan, The Wedge Salad, I can't get enough! Love the intimate classy atmosphere, love the staff, the live jazzy music and the portions! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Andrew M.
This is my favorite Italian place. Every year, on our anniversary, my wife and I go here. Try the stuffed mushrooms, the carpaccio, the penne a la vodka, and the fettuccine alfredo. The service here is great. We have always been treated like royalty here.
(5)
Crystal S.
I went here a while ago for my Fiance's birthday. The food was delicious. The service was excellent, and the wine was very lovely. I remembered it a few nights ago and decided to go back. I had the chicken piccata which pairs amazingly with souvignon blanc wine. The server was really nice, not a long wait at all, and there was a guy playing the piano there. Great atmosphere, lovely food, lovely wine. I guarantee I'll go back next time I'm looking for good Italian. Bonus, try the Tirimisu!
(5)
Jan H.
I wish I could give Nonna's 10 stars. It's hard to describe the atmosphere - it's family owned and very friendly and upscale at the same time. I've met Nonna and several family members while dining here over the years. Everyone - family or not - is great and makes you feel at home. The menu is more than what you'd expect from a family owned Italian restaurant and I've never been anything but pleased with a meal. There are the standards (lasagna, chicken picatta, manicotti) and also more adventurous choices like Asparagus Ravioli and Pecan Crusted Salmon. There's enough variety to please anyone in your group - and it's all delicious. Nonna's is tucked away in a small shopping center at Leetsdale and Monaco. It's a local gem that's close to Cherry Creek but far enough away to have its own personality. This place is really not to be missed.
(5)
Meghan D.
Truly amazing! We were in from out of town and stumbled upon this place based on prior yelp reviews. When we arrived it was clean, cute, and just the right amount of busy (no wait, but not empty). My kids were a little nutty, so they brought over bread (really good!) and got their meals going quick. My son had gluten free pasta (he said it was good) and about 6 meatballs. My veal Marsala was a little over cooked/chewy but the sauce was the best I've had. Over all a great experience, attentive and helpful staff and great food. I would go back for sure.
(4)
Aaron J.
We had such a fun time. Abby the bartender is the best and the wine is always great. The food was super hot and fresh and the atmosphere is jazzy and fun for anyone.
(5)
Shanna K.
I came here based on a coupon, because I was looking for places around my new job. I walked in at noon on a Monday, and the place was basically empty -- not usually a good sign. I was a bit nervous. However, the service was great; the waitress was friendly, on top of things like keeping my iced tea filled, and was knowledgeable about the menu (including which items were vegetarian!). The food was good, although having lived in Philly and having a partner from NY, it definitely wasn't as good of an eggplant parm sub as it could have been. I'll have to take my partner back to try some other items and get his Italian feedback. All in all, a good place for a bite. It's a little pricey for what you get, but the laid back atmosphere and excellent service make up for that.
(4)
Stephanie S.
Went there on Thursday for my mother's 70th birthday. The food was amazing! I had chicken picatta- best I've had in all the years I've been away from NY. We enjoyed our meal immensely and the service was on point. My only disappointment was that when I made my reservation I told them it was a special birthday, my mom even had a corsage- well I guess since we didn't want dessert (cake was at home) they decided not to do anything. They could have had the piano player play Happy Birthday or brought her something small with a candle... Any acknowledgement would have been nice.
(5)
Cindy D.
My step father and I stop here periodically when out in that area. The food is terrific even comparable to some in Chicago area where I am from. Have only found three others can say that about in 32 years I have been out here and 1 is in Scottsdale ! Staff always friendly , restaurant is always clean with a great " homey" feel to it. Parking was only issue but when we were there last week server told us about parking in back. So now truly not a complaint can be made! Thanks all, look forward to next visit!
(5)
johanna d.
Nonna's was recommended to us by a couple of friends, but I always put off going there because of the underwhelming exterior and neon signs in the window. I do sometimes judge a book by the cover. However, in this case, I wish I had listened to my intuition and skipped this restaurant. For starters, the wine I ordered, a Seiano Rosso, was weak and disappointing, despite it having about 60% Sangiovese wine, one of my favorites. I sent it back for a Banfi Classico Chianti, which came in the world's smallest pour. Our server was very friendly and accommodating, but she messed up our order, brining us vegetable lasagna instead of eggplant parmesan. This is okay, except for the fact that we had to wait an additional 10 minutes for it to arrive, well after all the other food had been eaten and we were ready to leave. The eggplant Parmesan had a nice breading and was delicately fried, but the sauce was acidic and there were steamed vegetables served on the side. I found this strange, I mean, who serves steamed vegetables on top of eggplant Parmesan? Likewise, we had ordered manicotti with vegetables on the side, but like the eggplant,, the manicotti came topped with vegetables. Aargh. Despite the mix-ups being the server's mistake, the owner, Brian, did nothing to accommodate us, you know, like not charge us for the dish, or apologizing for the mishap, or some gesture that would engender good feelings in the customer. The house salads were made with not so fresh produce and the Italian dressing was acidic and biting. The manicotti was inexplicably served with a heavy white sauce and was dense and heavy and unlike any manicotti I have ever eaten. This is not a good thing. All in all, the food was heavy and unappealing, the sauces were uninspired, the atmosphere was uninviting ( note: for a real retro moment, check out the black toilets in the women's restroom), and the quality of the service, especially from the owner, Brian, was dismal. The only reason that I give this restaurant two stars is because the server seemed genuinely kind and willing to please. Apart from her, there is nothing positive that I can say about this restaurant.
(2)
Kevin A.
Great Italian restaurant in a very nondescript strip mall. We live in Parker and have no problem driving here for dinner. Salads and bread are delicious! My favorite is the Chicken Florentine, and my wife loves the Mad Pasta. This is one of our favorites. Wait staff is also very attentive.
About to start a 3 week cleanse, my boyfriend and I wanted go out with a bang, aka carbo load on comfort food on a Friday night. We decided to do take out not knowing about the live music and we're pleasantly surprised with this little gem. We ordered calamari and an entree each. The calamari was a little different. It's served fried with feta cheese, olives and capers. Very good! I had the carciofo con pollo because I can't say no to bow tie pasta or sun dried tomatoes. Very generous portion and comes with salad! It was wonderful. My boyfriend had the Madd Pasta. It had a little kick but could have been spicier. Highly recommend it, and based on other Yelper's reviews, we'll be dining there for some live music next time!
(5)
Eryn K.
This place is lovely. I came here last night to celebrate, and the ambiance was perfect, the food was seriously quality. there was live music, piano and singer, and they were incredibly kind, and the music itself was great. :) it was your classic fancy Italian restaurant, in a very unlikely location. this place was a great find, with impeccable service and INCREDIBLY fast bussing, so no lines or waiting, on a friday night, despite how pleasantly full it was. i'd recommend this to anyone looking to impress someone, or just go out for some great wine and food, and ambiance.
(5)
Kirk B.
Great service. Great food. Came in on a Sunday nite and it was a quiet nite. Perfect for having a relaxed meal and conversation. Had the eggplant parm and it was great. Crisp eggplant and just the right amount of cheese. Finished up with the coconut cake and it was the perfect ending. Owner even stopped by to see how things were going halfway thru the meal.
(5)
Julia L.
If you know Volare, and want it played over a true old school Italian dinner, go to Nonnas. Calamari was delicious. MADD pasta comes with a salad and was big enough to share, spicy, yummy and seasoned perfectly. Save room for dessert! Coconut cake was well just like my Nonna used to make:). The service was super friendly and all food courses were times perfectly.
(5)
Cubby R.
Greetings from downtown Denver. Although its a bit far from downtown, it's definitely worth the trip to southeast denver to eat here. I always get lasagne here cuz its simply the best. Tonite I tried the veal parmigiana. It was omg deliteful. Served with a small salad to begin with and bread and dipping marinara sauce. The entree was served over linguini with a small side of yellow squash asparagus carrots. Now I have 2 favorite items. Waitress Tarah was friendly efficient and kept my water full. Definitely will return here. Shorts and tee shirt are just fine. After all its summertime here in Colorado :)
(5)
Terry B.
One of the worst 'Italian' places I've ever been too. Everything was frozen, the parmigiana, the veal cutlet, etc. Sauce was not any better than something out of a jar. The wine glasses were small and should be used for water, not wine, overall, a horrible experience. Try Panzano, Venice, a sub shop, this place is not good.
(1)
Brandon B.
Been here 10+ times. Each has been absolutely fantastic. Definitely my favorite Italian place in Denver. Traditional favorites that are phenomenal. The best mussels I've had in a long time. Lasagna that is breathtaking. A chop salad that I would eat everyday if I could. I am not a fan of the crazy fusion buzz all over - prefer the home favorites and Nonna's delivers abundantly. Also comes with some of the best service in the business. Thanks Nonna's - see you soon.
(5)
Karen G.
Before I start my review I will say that I love the fact that this location is so close to us!! Now we that being said, i will state that for the price you pay you would expect better. Much better. I like their moscato here- and their oh so warm bread but unfortunately that's all I like about them. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 times and this last time was the last one for us. It was more like a reminder why not to go have dinner at this place. Appetizers were meh and the main dishes just lacking flavor. I felt like I was eating hard pasta with shrimp cream and lots of lemon juice. I would actually prefer to have a pene rosa from noddles and company or a red lobster pasta dish any day then the paste here.
(1)
debbi m.
When the previous owner had Nonna's this was a great please to eat! The new owners have zero ability to manage- problems with food,waiters having attitude-the proof is in the reviews- the new nonna's is great. Sadly this part of town will have to drive a bit south to get the food and class that this place started out with!!!
(1)
Nathan G.
I was here for a business lunch today. This is a great little spot with a really warm, homey interior that belies it's strip center exterior. I had the Italian beef sandwich. My lunch mate had the eggplant parm, it looked great. The anti-pasta is massive for $10! Great deal. Very cool place, I will be back.
(4)
S T.
Everything on the menu is good. Always get great service. Live jazz music was fantastic! The only complaint that I could have is that we always spend way too much money, but the food is worth it. I even get pizzas to go from here because they are delicious! I never order dessert, but the chocolate lava cake is amazing and worth the calories. I'd point out what to order for dinner, but I've never had anything that wasn't superb. Misleading because it is in a strip mall, but it is way nicer than usual strip mall places.
(5)
Roxanne S.
Best Italian in Denver. We come here for both our birthdays and our anniversary! The carpaccio, whatever is on special, and of course the tiramisu (we have to get two because its too fantastic to share. ..) does it every time. Five stars always!!
(5)
Claudia B.
Got invited to check out this place for a girls night dinner last week. I'm always up for trying new Italian restaurants so I was a definite "in" for the event. I was really happily surprised!! The place is small so there aren't many tables (we had to wait a little while even though we had reservations) but it's worth it. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms (which I didn't eat because I don't like mushrooms) and the Bruschetta to start. The Bruschetta was very delicious, I'd definitely order it again. Then I had the Shrimp Vodka pasta (with Penne pasta). As the name says...it's Shrimp, Penne Pasta, and a Vodka cream sauce (and sun dried tomatoes). Can you say DELICIOUS?! Plus I tried everyone else's dishes and loved every single one of them except one (which had mushroom sauce so no big surprise). Their wine list was reasonably priced and the Malbec is phenomenal. I didn't even try another wine after I had my first glass. I believe it's owned by a couple (or at least a man and woman) as we had what appeared to be the owners come by at separate times and just make sure we were having a fabulous time and enjoying everything. Great personal touch. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Vicki P.
I have never had a bad meal at Nonna's. Neither have the friends and family we've taken there for dinner. The food is wonderful and the service is attentive. I just wish the prices were more reasonable. Instead of Nonna's being a neighborhood trattoria that I would frequent, it's priced as a special occasion restaurant that I only visit once in a blue moon. It's truly unfortunate. There is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings if you're into the Rat Pack vibe. We have found that it is too loud for the space and we either avoid those times or ask to be seated as far away from the piano as possible so we can hold a conversation. Nonna's is a family owned business that has done well at this location for several years and will hopefully be around for several more. I will keep visiting as much as I can, even though it's not as often as I would like.
(3)
Greg N.
Great food and ambiance! The live music was especially soothing and complemented the meal. We went for the Chicken Picatta and Eggplant Parmesan. Both were amazing. If the front lot is full, there is additional parking in the rear of the building. Enjoy!
Went to Nonna's last night since I'd heard good things about it and had a Restaurant.com gift certificate to use. Started with the calamari - I hadn't read the description on the menu so I was expecting the same old, same old. When it came out it was covered with feta, tomatoes, olives and artichokes - it was FANTASTIC! I had the Madd Pasta - it was great; unfortunately my husband wasn't wowed by the chicken marsala but still ate the whole thing. The disappointment came at the end of the meal when we were informed they no longer accepted Restaurant.com gift certificates which was the primary reason we chose to dine there last night. It was the attitude of the manager (?) that bothered me...the least he could have done was comp my glass of wine since we ended up spending $25 more than we had anticipated.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
Really great place to go for a romantic date-night with the hubby. The food is wonderful, but a bit over-priced in my opinion. We still love it though!
(4)
Autumn E.
Way too expensive for the quality of food Not impressed with any of the dishes we had Great service, the staff couldn't have been nicer Nice lively atmosphere We tried Nonna's because we had guest in town and wanted an Italian place that wasn't too expensive, but not too casual either since they wanted to treat. We heard good things about Nonna's so we decided to chance it. Sadly we were disappointed. To start it was way more expensive than we thought pasta dishes start average at about $19. Which would have been fine if it matched the quality of the dish. Im not sure if three stars is appropriate, it wasn't 2 stars bad, but it wasn't 3 stars good either. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms, good but just packaged sausage and cheese nothing special. I tasted the bolognese, which was a ton of ground meats, not much pasta and sauce. And I had the penne vodka shrimp, sad to say mine was awful. The shrimp were hard and rubbery from being over cooked, and tasted like they were from a freezer bag. The pasta seemed like it was the basic spaghetti you get from the grocery. Sauce was nothing to write home about. The whole meal was kind of a bummer. I would really love the place if they revisted there pasta dishes, and added fresher quality ingredients and payed attention to the cooking times. If we do go back I would go with more of an entree like chicken marsala. A lot of regulars were drinking martinis which looked good.
(3)
Chey B.
Delizioso! I had the stuffed mushrooms and asparagus ravioli- both amazing. The blue cheese dressing was the best I've ever had. Our waitress was helpful, feisty fun and attentive. Live music was an entertaining touch.
(5)
Marissa B.
True hidden gem- I had my doubts when we pulled in and found this place next to a tanning salon but it ended up greatly exceeding my expectations! The calamari is a must. The bread pudding was divine.
(4)
Michelle A.
A bottle of ok red wine, minestrone soup, ok salad, stuffed mushrooms, lasagna, baked Ziti, and garlic bread. Great company on a cold snowy night and Utalian makes for a great evening. The service was not the best even though I waiter was friendly and knew us from waiting on our table a few other times. There was soup and pasta leftover. What a great lunch for the following day. However my husband ate my ziti so I had no lunch. Oh well I had leftover salad from my lunch. It is a quiet family owned restaurant that is a plus for me. It 's a nice place between two friends and their homes. The one downer is it is not cheap.
(4)
Adele R.
I want to love Nonna's, but they make it hard. So...they remain at a "like" status. They are very hit or miss. We have had some wonderful food and great customer service, and we've had some pretty terrible food and awful service. Last time we went, I had the special: crab cakes w/garlic ravioli. Blech. The crab cakes were all breading. And deep fried. Just dry and tasteless. I should know better than to get the special ("special" in restaurant world seems to mean: we are putting all our old food into one dish and trying to get rid of it). I love that they have live music, they have a fabulous wine list. I just wish they would be more consistent with the quality of both their food and service.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live, Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes 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.
Sarah H.
Incredible food and service. Make a reservation for the music side to enjoy while dining. Drinks are stiff too always a plus.
(5)Melissa W.
What a pleasant date night! I drive past Nonna's every day on my way to work and we decided to try it tonight! Nonna's has a cozy and intimate atmosphere with friendly and prompt service. We were lucky enough to come on a night with live music, and man! It made the experience complete! We started with the bruschetta for an appetizer; they smelled amazing from the minute they hit the table! The only addition we would have liked is balsamic vinegar. I ordered the Asparagus Ravioli. Wow! I loved every bite! I definitely do not like sauces with lemon, but this may have changed my mind! The ravioli were cooked perfectly and the sauce was light and coated the ravioli marvelously! My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp Scampi and was equally satisfied! I was also pleased to see the different wine flights and they are served in a 3-tier wine glass holder, making it easy to identify which wine is which! We thoroughly enjoyed our date night at Nonna's on a Friday night! Go! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Colette P.
Awesome food! Our waitress, Abbie, was great.
(5)Catherine C.
The husband and I like to go here for occasional date nights. The food is great. Love the fried calamari!
(4)Jeff S.
I've been wanting to come here for a long time. I have tried their signature sandwich at the Italian Festival and it's awesome, so the other night I finally made it here for dinner. We were sat immediately, it took a few minutes to be greeted and get water, but after that the attention was pretty good. I think the server was nervous or overwhelmed, because it was a little bumpy. Nevertheless he was friendly. We started with the stuffed Italian mushrooms which were excellent. The bread was also fresh and tasty, and I liked the marinara sauce, which had a slightly bitter taste that lent a very original flavor. For dinner we ordered the Chef's Special pizza, and that was the downside. I didn't know what to expect, but the lady wanted to try it so that's what we got. I'd recommend staying away from this, very bland crust, too much cheese, and soggy. Overall I was dissatisfied with this. It's also cut into squares, which is kind of a pet peeve of mine. My only other complaint was how small and cramped it was. We were placed at a 2x2 table in the back and I was uncomfortable throughout the whole meal. Looking around, there really isn't much room anywhere. I'd be willing to come back sometime and try something from the regular menu, and I'll surely order the mushrooms again if I go.
(3)Coy P.
My wife and I have been to Nonna's three times now. The first time was for our 5th anniversary, and we were sat next to the piano player who was playing jazz all night. We loved the ambiance, as well as the food. The second time was to eat out with a couple friends, and again, Nonna's knocked it out of the park. The third time was for our 7th anniversary. Now, the wine is great, the Fried Zucchini was great, the salads were on par, and the main dishes were very good. I had the Chicken Florentine, and it was superb. The kicker for the night was the service though. Sean did an amazing job of making sure we were taken care of, but he also went above and beyond. After sitting down we briefly chatted about football since it was Sunday. He asked who my team was, and since they were playing at the time of our dinner, he found ways throughout to mention the score. My wife got quite the kick out of it, and I appreciated the cantor. Sean also put together the Tiramisu plate by writing in chocolate sauce "Happy 7th Anniversary". Seriously, this is how you get repeat customers. The check came with the current football score wrote in the top left, again, much to our humor. I can assure you that Sean will be seeing more of us, and Nonna's food and service is hard to beat.
(5)Carrie L.
This review is for take out. I have been to this restaurant years ago and enjoyed it, so last night we ordered take out from Nonnas. It was mediocre at best. The pasta was overcooked and soggy. Odd for an Italian restaurant, usually pasta is cooked al dente. Perhaps it got soggy in transit? Still odd. I had veal piccata in a lemon butter sauce. The veal was grisly and looked like they took one piece and gave me half. The sauce was mostly cream and no flavor. The 2 pastas each came with salad and bread and were almost $50. Very disappointing.
(2)Clinton C.
My partner and I checked out Nonna's after seeing it in the same strip mall as where he gets his haircut. Do not let this location fool you. 1.) The wait staff (Sean) was personable, knowledgeable, and a joy to interact with. He gave food recommendations, suggested we split a wedge salad (which he kindly put on two cold salad plates... nice touch), and never let our pops get empty. 2.) The food was wonderful. We had the OMG this-is-amazing calamari, the wedge salad with yummy Bleu Cheese crumbles, and veal and chicken marsala that ranked among the best we've ever had. 3.) The ambiance with live music in the background was also a treat. All in all, a five-star experience. We'll be back.
(5)Kristin H.
I love this family-owned restaurant! I've been here probably 5 times in the last 6 months. The food is amazing...try the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, shrimp vodka pasta, lasagna... I could go on. The fish is delicious too! If you're in the mood for wine, try the malbec...I order this every time i go. At times when the restaurant is crowded, service can be slow. But stick around - it's worth it! If parking in front is full, pull around back - there is plenty of parking there.
(5)Russ S.
We again visited Nonna's last night...and everything was spot-on. They really do have wonderful food; it's more a traditional family hearth and home type of Italian, not artistic/fusion modern representations of Italian that are so popular these days. Our server this visit was warm, friendly, prompt and knowledgeable (Mandi?). The busboy was always there immediately to clear plates and refill water, and all staff had smiles on their faces throughout our visit. Timing of everything was ideal. This is a local family-run place and deserves your patronage. Again, though, the wine list could use some tweaking. There are numerous very affordable bottles offered, but none of them very good. This does not detract from the excellence of the food, atmosphere and service for this updated rating, however. We'll definitely make this a regular neighborhood haunt...I'm already craving their stuffed mushroom appetizer again.
(5)Rob M.
I went to Nonna's to use a Goupon. I've become a Groupon fanatic as of late. The atmosphere was nice and very Italian, except for the drop tile ceiling. It is in a strip mall after all. It had a very mom and pop family owned feel. The broadway genre of music, I think, is perfect for a small, romantic Italian restaurant, but the volume was so low you couldn't hear it. The service was mediocre, but I wasn't very put off, because everything else was very good. The food was awesome. We had mussels and calamari as appetizers. I happened to be sitting next to the young lady at the bar that came up with the recipe for the calamari. It was as good or better than Capital Grille's calamari. Different and delicious. The mussels were as good as any I've had in Denver. My friend had chicken marsala. It wasn't really sweet like a lot of marsalas. It was good and light. My chicken picata was the best I've ever had. Honestly, I don't order picata often, but I was impressed nonetheless. When I taste something that delicious I often "recreate" it at home. The picata and the calamari will be on the home menu soon... Overall four stars. With improved service standards put into place, I think Nonna's can be a top Denver Italian restaurant.
(4)Richard B.
First time, and I've never felt more welcome! Sausage and peppers was tremendous.
(4)Sharon K.
Yum! We live in the neighborhood so visit Nonna's probably once a month. It's a cosy slice of Italy in an easy-to-overlook strip mall. We consider it great food and a good value. All but 2 or 3 entrees are under $20 and are served with bread and a salad. The portions are always plentiful, the salad tasty and the parmesan bread is perfectly crunchy, warm and served with a side of marinara which I just love. My favorite is the parmesan crusted chicken. My man just celebrated his 45th birthday and Nonna's was his pick for a small dinner party of 10 people. Our reservation was waiting for us as requested...no easy feat considering the place was packed. All of our friends were new to Nonna's so we were quite curious to hear what they had to say about their new dining experience. It was a solid thumbs-up all around. Everyone agreed Nonna's would get a repeat performance. Abby was our most excellent server and never missed a beat...highly recommend her! Ok...that's it for us, just sharing the love for a good meal.
(5)Katie D.
OMG...terrible service! We went on a Monday night, sat right away (not crowded at all). Took the waiter 15 minutes to get our drink order, 20 minutes for the bread to arrive, entrees were about an hour wait...for pasta???? The food was decent, but so not worth the aggrevation of the terrible service!
(1)Julie D.
My husband and I were looking for a casual place with live music and thought of Nonna's. We sat at the bar and was greeted and served by Abby King. She was outgoing, friendly and knowledgeable about her wines. We sat next to some real friendly regulars, who were lots of fun to talk to. We tried a couple of apps (calamari and bruschetta ) and both were delicious. The calamari was prepared differnt than I ever had and was cooked perfectly. We look forward to heading back there and realize it would be the type of place to go alone, with the kids or another couple.
(5)Danielle B.
The food is good. That being said, it is entirely WAY too overpriced. You excpect to pay good money for good Italian food, but I think they overestimate the value of what they serve. I had the Bolegnese, which was delicious and pretty spicy for $17, but after eating it, the portion size and taste was more like a $13 or $14 bolegnese. My husband is Italian and we know Italian food. Even the children's meals are overpriced ($7-$9) Who wants to spend $9 on a kids item that your child only eats a few bites of anyway (like my preschooler)? The atmosphere was pleasant. There was a musician in there singing which was nice. He took requests but did not know or have the music to the two songs I requested. The place was packed on a weeknight. Reservations recommended because the entryway is so thin and crowded with people that it is an uncomfortable wait. The service was slow. It took forever to see our waitress and to get anything. But the hostess and server were very nice.
(3)David M.
Decor is a little over-the-top 80s with grapes vines in green and purple painted over an ochre colored wall, but it lends the place a retro-NJ-mob-like ambience. Kinda like you wouldn't be suprised to see Tony and Carmela sitting in the back with A.J. or Meadow on a Friday night. OK, enough of that. What about the food/drinks? I needed to find a place on Leetsdale for a birthday lunch with a sick friend and she can't travel that far. Nonna's was one of the few places in the area with a bar that fit the bill. The place is comfortable and the meal I got was good. Not great, but good. Had an arugula salad with a hefty piece of salmon cooked medium rare, just like I ordered. At $14.95 it wasn't a bargain, but the salad did come with a decent amount of chopped proscuitto blended in, which is an expensive addition. My suggestion: Serve a little smaller piece of salmon and cut the price by a couple of bucks. Actually, the best part of the meal was the glass of wine I ordered. Turns out they're a wine bar, too, serving over 20 different wines by the glass. Add to that fact that the wine pour was generous, verging on a full 6 oz, and I might have just talked myself into checking the place out over the weekend when they have live music. Bottom line, if you're in the neighborhood give 'em a try. I wouldn't make a special trip to go, but not bad, especially for a glass of wine and some live music for a cheesy retro date night with your babe.
(3)Frankie V.
This is not a fancy Italian Restaurant. It is more like a local neighborhood place. The food was very good and the servings were large. They had a very varied menu in which everyone could find something that they liked. Even the salads and bread that came with the meals were done right. The wine menu was reasonable. The seating area was comfortable and relaxing.
(4)Bonnie S.
Have been to Nonna's many times under the "old" and "new" owners (which aren't that new). Love them both. When asked where I want to go there is no hesitation, it's Nonna's and there is NEVER an alternative mentioned. We both love the place. It is NOT an Olive Garden, which I also happen to like. That is fine for after shopping or hard day at work. Nonna's is fine dining that is NOT overpriced. What you pay is solely dependent on what you order. Everyone is different. We prefer to go on a Fri. or Sat. and not just make a meal of it but a night of it. We look upon it as great dining and an evening of entertainment combined. Although we have gone for just an "in and out dinner on the go" which does not have to be expensive and yet great food. On Fri. and Sat. there is a light jazz trio and we plan our evening around them, a great meal, plan to stay the evening, and cab it both ways. It is our treat to ourselves and a wonderful evening. Let's talk about the present and menu specifics. On the appetizer menu we love the Italian Stuffed Mushrooms. They are to die for!!! When my vegetarian friend is in town, who travels extensively on business, (she loves going here), we order the Baked Parmesan Carciofo. Either one are a WOW! See the menu on their website. Entrees: I cannot be budged off the Beef Brasciole (beef pounded thin and stuffed with Italian sausage, something else that I think is cheese and Italian seasonings), baked in Marinara sauce and served with pasta and the best crisp tender vegetables on the side... (After the appetizer and salad, and I forgot to mention the bread - later, I take half of it home because there is so much. Don't mind doing that. I then have another gourmet meal two nights in a row without lifting a finger in the kitchen.) I have had the penne vodka shrimp and it was great, also. My other half says we could skip the appetizer and I say, "No way". We both have the gourmet meals the next evening and he agrees. Last Sat. he had the Baked Penne and Sausage and it was wonderful. He always changes up. Not me I'm stuck on Beef Brasciole. My best friend had the Asparagus Ravioli and she said it was great. She even turned down breakfast because she had been thinking about it and just wanted the leftovers for breakfast before I took her to the airport. There are also other vegetarian items on the menu that she can eat. Can't forget to mention the bread. My girlfriend and I are NOT bread eaters but my other half is. I am surprised that he got anything. Don't know what they have on it but it is WONDERFUL with or without the marinara sauce that they serve with it. We ordered a loaf to send home on the plane with my girlfriend. The staff (so friendly and accommodating from the hostess, to wait staff, to bartender), music, and food are just out of this world! Treat yourself! Don't you deserve it? Check out the menu on their website.
(5)Peg T.
I want to love this place. The food is very good, although a little on the expensive side. The problem is the service. Usually friendly, but always painfully slow, no matter what time of day.
(2)shay c.
I've heard this place has a cult-ish following with the wealthy crowd in Glendale, and I can attest to that after seeing all the expensive cars sitting outside. I get soooo frustrated that their food is so expensive (especially lunches). I wonder sometimes if they would experiment with cheaper lunch menus, if they would have more customers than the 1 person sitting in there every time I go in to order something. I would love to pay $7 for their lunch salad, not $13-$15. I would come back a LOT more frequently, too. Just seems like that would cater more towards the demographic in this area, too. The food is usually just ok or good but it varies every time. The bread is sometimes dripping in oil, sometimes dry and crispy. I give props to them as a local businesses for staying put for a handful of years through this nasty economy, but I just can't get past the prices. It drives me nutty!
(2)Patrick Brandon M.
The ambiance is comfortable and enjoyable, the service quite sufficient, the food good. Everything is fine, really, except that the owner, after we had been there about an hour and fifteen minutes on a Friday night, rather rudely asked my party to leave by saying: "The place is getting full, but come back another time!" Some in my party didn't know whether he actually meant for us to leave. I cannot think he meant anything else. Why would an owner tell a table that the restaurant was getting crowded? We left hurriedly but politely. I have been there several times and would go back. But if I were pressured to leave again, I would sooner find another Italian restaurant committed to seated customers.
(3)Brady K.
So in my world, if I were to give a restaurant two stars, it would most likely mean that I would never go back. Strangely, I've been to Nonna's three times and plan to go a fourth. More on this later. To start, Nonna's has a great atmosphere that gives you the feel of an old classic Italian restaurant. Every time we have gone, you can see a lot of people there and it gives me the impression that a lot of loyal locals like this place. As far as the food, I find that Nonna's has a problem with attention to detail and consistency. Today, I had the spaghetti and meatballs. Previously, I've had the osso bucco. In both situations, the meat was somewhat dry. The taste was there, but its those little things like making sure the bottom of the meatballs are not over cooked that tend to separate a memorable experience from an average one. I've been to a lot of italian restaurants from high end and low end. Regardless of the level of a restaurant, any Italian restaurant should take pride in their marinara and I just didn't feel that it had the depth that I've experienced and other restaurants. I ate everything on my plate, but that is primarily a reflection of the pig in me. My wife had the Mediterranean Baccalao and it was pretty awful for her. Fortunately for us, the manager noticed that she didn't finish her plate or ask for a box. He tried to pry her for some criticism, but she's too polite for that. Regardless, he didn't charge us for the fish or our dessert and declined to use our groupon. Because of that, we tipped generously despite the fact that service was very slow. Anyway, we will be back a fourth time.
(2)Andrea P.
I had been eyeing Nonna's for awhile now, not like in the bushes stalking it, but like going to the Vet with the never ending bulldog woes right next to it and thinking to myself "Man I do love some Italian food!" Inside the place isn't really what you'd expect for the area, it's a bit more fancy than the strip-mall appearance on the outside. There was live music, friendly service (including the new owner - though they could be a bit more quick on the table greet and getting drinks/bread out, though in their defense I had "pre-gamed" before coming so maybe time was only a concept to me at that point) and the food was awesome! My one gripe is price, I found it a bit expensive, maybe it's not expensive and I only thought it should be cheaper given it's location, I'm not sure, that's hard to tell. Okay, so yes, it's expensive for the area...but you're getting high quality food and a good portion. Maybe not like a huge portion you'll be eating leftovers for a week kind but enough to walk away feeling satisfied. Plus I don't know what kind of crack they put in their salad dressing b/c it was sooooo good. It's a weird compliment, but once you have it you'll totally know what I mean.
(4)Stephanie D.
Where's my Nonna? I miss the Old Nonna's when it was about taking care of the client, relationships and good food. The new owners don't know the first thing about customer service or building relationships. We went in tonight and yes after 4plus years we had a Gift Certificate so we spent about $50.00 more than we would normally spend to adhere to the many restrictions. But that wasn't enough when it came time to pay the Owner totally sweated us about using the G/C and made comments about losing money on us. BTW 2 people with a $25 G/C still spent $77.00 plus a $25.00 tip. Hardly losing money...plus we have told hundreds of people about the restaurant since it is in our hood and we know at least 20 couples that have started going there on our recommendation. In fact we had a holiday party there 2 years ago...not anymore...I'm done and I have over 1,000 people on my linkedIn and I plan to share my experience with everyone of them. I am so sad, as going to Nonna's was always a special treat and I don't know a lot of couples nowadays who can drop $100 on a Wednesday night on dinner. Shame on you Nonna...remember...you are still in a strip mall with limited parking you have a lot of negatives against you the only thing that made you successful was the amazing service and great food...don't tarnish your predecessor's legacy...hold yourself to the same excellence they did.
(2)Stacy S.
Best Italian I have had in Denver so far! I have been there twice - once for lunch and once for dinner. Both times I have had exceptional service! It may be a bit 'more expensive,' but definitely well worth it -you're getting awesome food. Great atmosphere (with live music during dinner). I would highly recommend it!
(5)Michelle C.
A friend recommended Nonna's awhile back. I was nearby so I decided to give it a shot despite the mixed reviews. I had the cheese ravioli and a wedge salad. The wedge was good, standard lettuce & dressing. It's pretty difficult to get salad wrong so I wasn't super impressed. After the first bite of ravioli, it was apparent that they do not make this product fresh. It tasted like those cheap prepackaged meals that you buy from the frozen section of the supermarket.. The pasta was rubbery and the sauce was very watery. I agree with the other reviewers who mentioned the pricing. I don't mind paying more for fresh ingredients and higher quality foods, but this experience fell way short of that. Service was good, and it's a nice place. This review really should be a 2.5 based on those 2 things, but the overpriced food from a freezer bag pretty much killed it for me. I could've gotten better food from a chain at half the price.
(2)Maxine C.
I was at Nonna's about a year ago and was not impressed at all the owner sat at the bar and ignored every customer that walked in the door but the food was sooo good I gave it another chance and to my surprise there was new owners, what a difference it made. The service was amazing and the food was better then I rememberd, I love meat ball Monday and now my family and I eat there at least once a week, every thing on the menu is Yummie
(5)David F.
Love this place as a perfect gem hidden away in a strip center on the corner of Monaco and Leetsdale of all places. Serious, the food and staff make this place because the housing project behind it are a little rough or so they look that way from the parking lot. Don't let that get to you though. We had not problem getting there, getting a table and after a few hours no concerns leaving.
(4)Madeleine L.
The food and service were both amazing. The owner came over to make sure we were ok several times and give us a little back story. Well definitely be back.
(5)Jaime N.
I love Nonnas! This family owned restaurant has such a great feel. I've been there numerous times and I love that they have various family pictures all over the tables and walls, it really makes you feel at home. The food is great! I am not an italian food connoisseur by any means, but I am always impressed with how good the food is! They have a good variety of salads and italian favorites like eggplant parmigiana and spaghetti and meatballs. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to go on a date (last night they had a live singer), anyone who wants a good bite to eat or anyone who wants to have a nice place to have a family meal.
(4)Rosie G.
I have been visiting Nonna's for many years. Since the original Restaurant in South Easr Denver off Orchard ( I think). Until last night the experience had been wonderful. I dine with two separate groups of 8-10. We have always had wonderful service. While the food was still great, the waiter refused to give separate checks. We have AWAYS had separate checks. Claiming he was a son of Nonna's and the business has been sold and the new system is one check per table we went with the system. Then had to spend 30 minutes dividing up the amounts, tax, and service fee. We also did not appreciate being called "Honey", "Dear", Sweetie", etc by this waiter. It is a shame that we can no longer visit this great place. There are so many restaurants in the Denver. We have one other time been refused separate checks in about 25 years. The food is great.
(3)Harry G.
What a great place!! The food was amazing, big portions and great taste. The drinks were made right and the live jazz was perfect. If you like real Italian you will love this place.
(5)Beth M.
The service here was very friendly, and we seemed to be surrounded by people who were also on vacation- so everyone was happy. I ordered the veggie calzone which was HUGE, & my mom ordered the lasagna... She said it was stuffed with spicy sausage. The calzone was good, the bread/crust on it was great- crispy but with some chew and not too thick or thin. Since I was headed to the airport afterward, she went home with 2 decent sized meals. Of you go here, have no shame in sharing a meal or eating half and taking the other home for later- the portions ate very big. I think they probably have dessert, but I'd you're looking for something not on the menu... There's a donut store in the same strip.
(4)Robert C.
We finally went to Nonna's to use a coupon we got from Restaurant.com and all I can say is....Why did we wait so long to use that coupon??? The restaurant is nicely decorated with family photos on the table tops and menus. The service was very fast and friendly even after they saw that we had a restaurant.com coupon! We started our meal with "Chandler's Sicilian Calamari", probably the tastiest Calamari we've ever had. My wife didn't seem to mind the capers and she usually hates capers! She had the Madd Pasta and I had the Brasciole, both dishes were very good. They were served piping hot and better than we expected. We finished the meal with a Canoli, the shell was nice a crisp and the stuffing wasn't too sweet. We are really looking forward to returning for another meal.
(5)Blake H.
My wife and I have eaten here three times now. Each with different results. The brad they server you is wonderfully delicious. The menu is a bit pricey, but they are a small restaurant. They have pretty decent wine by the glass and a mostly full bar. The stuffed mushrooms appetizers are pretty tasty. The salads are ok, not great, but their homemade vinaigrette is the highlight of the salad. I've had the chicken Marsala, the angry pasta, and the white fish (i forgot it's fancy Italian name). The chicken Marsala tasted weird, not quite Marsala, more like a Marsala cream sauce that was brown? The Angry pasta was just that, angry and spicy. I love d it. The white fish was the best fish I've ever had at an Italian restaurant. Overall if you;re looking for a slightly over priced restaurant with pretty decent food, this is a good choice.
(4)Kelly W.
We love Nonna's!!! We eat here once a week. Staff is mostly family I believe. Or at least they act like it. They always make you feel at home. Amazing food. Everything from pizza to pasta. You can not go wrong here. Crooner sings on the weekends ;)
(5)Deborah H.
I recently dined at Nonna's Bistro. Fabulous experience. As I walked in, I could hear Frank Sinatra singing. The aroma stirred my appetite. I had their house Merlot, which was delicious. We asked to share an entree of their famous lasagna. Our server, Jessica, was very gracious and brought the lasagna already divided on individual plates. The homemade bread was dense and delicious. The tables are a collage of photos of actors and singers from the 50's and 60's. I felt like I had stepped back in time. This was a very relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. I would definitely recommend Nonna's.
(5)Alisa N.
The place is a bit expensive ($8-10 for appetizer, 17-30 for entree), but well worth it. The atmosphere is nice with a band playing now and then. The food is always flavorful and the waiters are friendly and know what they're talking about and doing. Wonderful place.
(5)S F.
After seeing Nonna's on the corner every time I was stuck in traffic at rush hour, I finally convinced my boyfriend it was time for a visit. Of course, our decision was made easier by a Restaurant.com coupon for $25 off our meal of $35 or more. As soon as we walked in the door, I had a feeling it would be a good night. The aromas coming from the kitchen were spectacular. Since it was a week night, there weren't that many people there, which I'm sure adds to our service experience. We were sat immediately and I started browsing the menu. I have this thing where I'll choose 2-3 entrees, and then get suggestions from the waitstaff. Our waitress recommended the shrimp vodka penne, and I went for it. We got our bread, which was a nice change from all the other restaurants in the area. It was served with a very flavorful marinara and wasn't too much to weigh us down before our meal. Our food came out steaming hot. The shrimp penne was perfect... a little bit of a spicy kick with a ton of flavor. Fantastic. My boyfriend got their cheese ravioli with alfredo (it comes with marinara on the menu, but they were very accommodating), and the pasta and cheeses were all fresh, definitely adding to the appeal. By the time we had finished our meals, it was impossible to have dessert.. we were stuffed. As far as the price, I don't mind that their entrees are $2-3 higher than some of the chain restaurants, because the food and service quality was top notch. This is a place I will go back to occasions that call for something special.... or when I have a craving for their delicious dishes!
(4)Susan E.
Went last night for the 2nd time (Groupons) and was even more impressed the second time around. You can't go wrong with this place.....everything from the quality/taste of the food; the service; the atmosphere is top notch. We were even lucky enough to catch some live jazz there.....bonus! I had the special....butternut squash ravioli with a crab cake and I practically licked the plate clean! You certainly would never expect everything I just mentioned on the inside by looking at the outside, but just like the quote says...."don't judge a book by its cover." Bon appetite!
(5)Jennifer M.
Not sure why Nonna's is getting bad reviews. My husband and I love this place, and we're picky foodies who eat in the best restaurants in the city. This is one of our "comfortable" places to have a quick meal in during the week when we want something reliable and tasty. The service has always been great - we say it's like eating at a friend's house. We were in this week and our server asked about our experience and thanked us for coming in. It was like she actually wanted to know if there were problems, unlike most servers who don't want to be hassled. I have always found the food to be tasty - I usually stick with the pastas. The wine flights are great. And they bring out delicious fresh-baked bread with homemade marinara sauce. Yummy. The tiramisu tasted like it was made that afternoon - so fresh - and the portion was just right. We always leave Nonna's happy and satisfied!
(4)Marie G.
this is one of those locations that has been 15 different businesses and they all failed. My experience at Nonnas was just OK. the food was decent, but not at all memorable and the atmosphere is really dull. I wish them the best in this jinxed spot, but doubt I will return.
(3)Chad T.
Never a bad experience. If u want fast Italian go to fazolis. This is how Italians eat.
(5)Amy F.
What a tasty and unexpected surprise! We live near here and have driven by a million times. I've always wondered about this place b/c it's in an ugly strip mall on a not lovely corner, but something about it looked promising. We finally went in (2 adults and a 2 year old) b/c of a Groupon. The place was busy and happy on a Sunday night. Server was attentive without being annoying. The food was really tasty and the portions were nice for sharing, but not huge. Prices for the meat and fish dishes seem a bit high, but you do get great bread and a salad with your entree. The pasta prices are more reasonable and I'm sure the pizza would be a good deal if you went that route to save money. I'm excited to have a new place to go right near my house.
(5)Arthur S.
Have been to Nonna's twice and really enjoyed both meals. Wednesday nights are half off of bottles of wine which is great. The service is great and the whole place has that family owned feel. i definitely recommend checking it out.
(4)Mary Jo S.
Nonna's is in a little strip mall by GW High. (It is a date place for a lot of the students and they even have student specials). I liked Nonna's and was really suprised at their offerings as I did not expect much from this strip mall. Once inside, you are in a small Italian bistro; it is warm and decorated nicely. The service was good as well as our meal; although the husband's Madd pasta (a Chef's special) was a bit too spicy for him. However, what sets this place apart is the flight of wine for wine drinkers and the music......out of the blue a gentleman sitting at the bar begins to sing, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, it's amore'". I love it, a free floor show with your meal.
(4)David C.
I went here a long time ago when it first opened (had to be at least six years ago, if not longer) and returned for another visit recently. I enjoyed my meal this time, and I'm sure I did long ago as well, though I don't remember what I ate back then. I was in the mood for a veggie calzone this time, which was quite large and very tasty. They put their good marinara inside as well as giving a side of it on the plate, so no sauce issues here. Others at the table got a variety of meals, ranging from clams/mussels to piccata to marsala to lasagna. The food is advertised as Chicago-style, but the pizzas are thin-crust, which is odd. People seemed to enjoy their entrees, but wow - $18 for chicken marsala? $19 for linguini and clams? Even cheese ravioli was $15. This is waaay too much for decent Italian food; like I said, I enjoyed my calzone, but nobody seemed to think their dish was the best in town. If I'm paying that much, it better be. Parking can be a challenge because the strip mall only has so many spots, so probably it's best to go at an off time or early in the week. They do have live jazz on the weekends which would be nice though, and they have expanded over the years to include a wine bar which is a good draw. But unless they bring the prices down several dollars, I can't see myself eating here when I know several other great places in town.
(3)Jessica M.
This Italian bistro in the middle of a hard-scrabble strip mall has won a place on my heart. We went with a group of six, and each dish ordered looked so tasty that I wanted to face-plant into every one. The service was amazing from start to finish - our waiter was the owner's son, and he was quite a character without being one bit overbearing. I constantly did the "look, it's an airplane!" routine to try and steal HH's lasagna, resulting in my being stabbed with a fork. Ouch, but totally worth it. The dessert was this chocolate souffle thing - pretty good, but I'll get the tiramisu next time. Prices were about what you would expect for an Italian restaurant - 15.00 to 20.00 a pop per entree, but everything was homemade and, frankly, I would have paid more.
(4)Leonard R.
Had one of the most repellant dishes I have eaten in a restaurant. There was so much mustard in a chicken dish, it was enough to make me want to puke (literally - mustard is an emetic). The manager / owner / whatever made the lame excuse "It's Nonna's recipe". Really - they should have comped it. The linguine vongole tasted good, but for $18 you think they could throw in a dozen mussel - stupidly overpriced. It seems in Denver the Italian restaurateurs think all they need to do is put trompe l'oeil on the walls.
(2)James J.
This place is great. It's hard to find, but the food is phenomenal. Probably tied with Cherry Tomato for the best Italian food I've found in Denver. I
(4)Elizabeth D.
Don't bother going here unless you are desperate for live music at night and just happen to be at Monaco and Leetsdale, and your car breaks down. The meal was really sub, subprime (like the mortgages). First, the prosecco lacked bubbles, yes, flat like stale champagne. The sausage appetizer was greasy, the chix florentine was oily and lacked any distinct taste, and the pasta was useless. Why this place is full often is beyond me, and the prices are pretty stiff considering the food is so subpar. And you don't have to drive far to get really good Italian food, just head on over to 3rd and Holly to Locanda del Borgo, neighborhoody place, small, always busy and real bubbly prosecco!
(1)Kelli F.
Nonna's is my favorite neighborhood resturant. The service is great and the food is awesome!
(5)Joseph I.
Was thinking this place would be average at best, took some advice from a good friends and was thoroughly impressed. The food alone would keep me coming back, but the service and atmosphere were great as well. I had the Baked Penne with sausage and my girlfriend had the Chicken Parm. For an appetizer we had the fried zucchini which was the best i have ever had. We both loved our entrees and dessert was delicious also. The only reason I didn't give it 5 out of 5 is because the menu is not that extravagant, but if you are looking for delicious little italy style itlaian, this is the spot!
(4)Tovah K.
Number 1 Italian Restaurant in Denver!!! My boyfriend and I are both from NY and were disappointed when we moved to Denver because of the lack of great Italian food. Nonna's is amazing!!! We have been there a ton and have invited friends and family. Strange location but soooo worth it. The tomato sauce is mmmmmm sooo good. The bread and pasta dishes we love. Great wine, atmosphere, and on weekends nice mellow jazz. Staff is friendly and fast!!!
(5)Mark H.
Saw a couple recent mediocre reviews, so I just wanted to put a plug in for this place. My wife and I have been going to Nonna's on and off since it opened...albiet infrequently...but I can't think of a time the food or the service has been sub-par. We've been going there a little more often lately (including tonight), usually when I'm craving the Veal Parmigiana or my wife wants the Madd Pasta...which we've found to be consistently good. Hard to find good Veal Parm in Denver. Nonna's isn't cheap, but not out of line compared with other small family-owned Italian restaurants in the area. The atmosphere is classy, but I've never felt uncomfortable going there casual. Sometimes the service is a little slow, or the food takes a while...but tonight we were in and out in an hour. The servers have always been friendly and outgoing, and committed to making sure we have a good experience. Would recommend Nonnas if you're looking for a new place to try.
(5)Joe F.
This and the Cherry Tomato are hands down the best italian in Denver. I'm from NY and have had my fair share of good Italian.
(5)Jan B.
Now under new management, they have tweaked the seating arrangement in the bar and given the space more visual room and an airy feeling. Manager, Suzanne, is a delight. She engages every customer and makes them feel like they are in her own home. The special last night was incredible: mushroom ravioli layered with grilled chicken breast and asparagus and a balsamic vinegar glaze dribbled on top. Awesome! Please put that on the menu-- it is a delicious departure from more pedestrian Italian fare. The one hiccup to the evening was the entertainment. Singer Bob Harris was featured and his interpretation of jazz standards was shear torture. His voice does not have the range to do them justice. His music background is rock where sometimes a persons voice isn't as crucial but when you sing jazz, you need to rely on an excellent set of pipes. Tony Bennett, Sinatra, Michael Boublé, George Benson or Steve Tyrell--he ain't!!!! Nonna's can find better vocalists in Denver so we hope they will.
(4)Jeff N.
Great Italian food with a great atmosphere (despite being in a weird location). An authentic taste that is different from they typical italian chain restaurant.
(4)Roberta L.
I was really disappointed when I left Nonna's which is different than when I walked in. The food was good. Southern Italy - spicer sauces - and we were one of 4 other tables there. But just as we started dinner - the restaurant filled up. Our waiter Michael became instantly freaked by the increase in tables and we were forgotten - we continued to try and get his attention for 15 minutes after we were finished with our dinner and then asked the manager (who is also his mom) to help us. The services went downhill from there with a quick drop off of the check, no more chatty banter. The check was not itemized and was $85 - we had chicken parm, cesar salads, 2 deserts, and 2 Pelegrinos. Totally overpriced, and I believe the bill was wrong, but I didn't have the time or patience to wait to get an itemized bill - we won't be back.
(1)J R.
This little restaurant doesn't have the most auspicious exterior, but it is better than you'd expect for a strip mall! The service is friendly and welcoming, and the food was quite good! I like it - very relaxed and low key. Also, they had run out of the wine I wanted so they substituted a nicer one at no additional change, which was a nice touch.
(4)Holly B.
Went to this place in a group of 5 for a friend's birthday. She & her husband were super into Nonna's (they had this restaurant cater their wedding). The food was good, but I found it pretty overpriced. Nonna charges what a restaurant in Lodo would charge, and considering their location in a strip mall on Leetsdale, I think it's a little much. So I take away two stars for overpricing. But the service was great, our waitress did not rush us at all, and was quite friendly. We went on a Sunday night, and there was only one other group in the restaurant, so I guess Sundays are not so busy there. My friends really enjoyed the "Flight" of wine- for a set price, they give you 3 mini glasses of wine from three different countries. Overall, good food and service, but too expensive.
(3)yelper s.
Went with my husband the other night, after driving by many times. Prices seemed a little bit steep, but entrees came with a nice salad, and delicious garlic bread with a side of marinara, which evened things out. Generous pours of a wide assortment of wines by the glass, too. We were pleasantly surprised by the food -- it was really good! The service was the only hiccup. It wasn't horrific, but it wasn't good. We were seated promptly, and the service was OK -- not great, not warm, but serviceable, like good (not over the top friendly) service at a Chili's. Our plates were removed quickly -- sometimes too quickly. The worst was at the end -- we were using a Restaurant.com certificate for part of our bill. We handed over the check folder with the Restaurant.com certificate and our debit card. My husband was holding in his hand a $10 bill that we planned to use for the tip (20% on the full amount, pre-certificate -- we always tip 20%, even though we both said later that we weren't sure our lackadaisical service really deserved 20%). When we got the check back to sign ... the waiter had added a 20% gratuity to the debit charge, without saying a word to us about it. I didn't see it in any written policies, either. We would have appreciated the chance to tip in cash, as we intended to do. And I've never had a restaurant automatically add 20% to a meal for a party of two (very low-maintenance party of two!). It really left a sour taste in our mouths -- if he hadn't done that, this would be a 4-5 star review, but I don't like feeling conned.
(3)Kathy J.
Voted #1 Italian Restaurant in Denver. I love this place. Awesome food and a great staff. The owner makes you feel like very welcome. I have been there several times and never disappointed. Great food and conversation.
(5)Patsy G.
We had recently moved to the area and decided to try Nonna's midweek. There was no wait and we walked right in and sat down, which is always a nice thing. The atmosphere was nice for a neighborhood restaurant. The wine is really overpriced by the glass considering they are not the best of selections. The Cesar salad was nicely served on a chilled plate but was very lemony in flavor. The pasta dish we ordered was penne with artichoke and sun dried tomatoes. The tomatoes were too large and flavorless and the sauce was thin and bland. The chicken was rubbery and overcooked. The dish was served so hot that it seemed to have been microwaved to get this hot as opposed to made to order. The chocolate cake was horrible and dry and we regretted splitting our dinner so we could order dessert!! As this was a mid week dinner we split the whole meal and even with a dessert the price was still over $50 for two people!! At this price there are better selections with better food and I will never return to Nonnas.
(1)Nicole S.
The restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is surprisingly cozy and romantic. We visited for lunch and were amazed by the attentive service and high quality, authentic Italian cuisine. The asparagus ravioli featured the perfect blend of lightly steamed asparagus, lemon cream sauce, and fine cheeses. The baby clams in the linguine vongole were slightly over cooked, but the light, flavorful sauce more than made up for that. The waitress was also very nice and accommodated my request for additional marinara sauce to accompany my meal.The only drawback is the high-end price tag for the limited portions. Even so, this is a do-over for a special occasion.
(4)Char L.
This was my first experience with Nonna's Bistro and the manager pretty much ruined it for me. I called at 8:30pm to place a to-go order and the manager said, "Well it's 8:30pm and we close at 9:00... Are you going to be here before 9:00??" I was a little shocked that he just said this, acting like I was a huge inconvenience to give them business and pick up food. I explained that I live 2 minutes down the street, and the manager said I could pick up in 15 minutes. I arrived exactly 15 minutes later and right when I walked through the door, the manager didn't even greet me or say hello when he saw me. He just said, "Are you the take-out order?" I said yes and he sighed and said, "...Well it's not quite ready yet". Wow...excuse me for considerably making sure to arrive before you close, even though there are still 4 tables in the restaurant. He should not be in customer service, let alone a manager. Now the food was okay... The Chicken Parmesan was actually pretty good, but the portions are small for what you pay for. It looked like our food was thrown into a plastic container. My boyfriend even said that he felt like "he was eating a TV dinner". I was excited to try this place, especially with how close it is to my house and with so many positive reviews, but the manager is chasing away business. Sadly I will not be back.
(2)Kati B.
I got a groupon to Nonna's so that I could take my boyfriend here for his Bday. Yay for groupons! We started with the bruschetta and a few glasses of wine. The bruschetta was delicious!!! Super fresh and juicy tomatoes, fresh, salty mozzarella, sweet balsamic vinegar, olive oil..simple yet perfect. So many restaurants can't handle a basic bruschetta but Nonna's nailed it! I could've just eaten several orders of bruschetta for my dinner and been happy. The wine list was also nice - lots of reasonably priced wines by the glass/bottle - but I'm not a wine snob, so I'm easy to please! I ordered the ravioli special for dinner. It was butternut squash ravioli with an asparagus cream sauce, shaved parmesan and grilled shrimp. Since I don't eat seafood, I ordered the shrimp on the side so that my boyfriend could eat them, and our server was happy to oblige. The BF ordered the chicken florentine. While we were waiting for our meals, we had small dinner salads and their garlic bread, which is served with a good marinara sauce for dipping. My BF liked his chicken florentine - the portion was huge, plenty of pasta and chicken and some sauteed veggies on the side. I thought my ravioli special was just ok. The cream sauce was good, but the ravioli were a little too sweet and the taste didn't go well with the sauce. And I'm a BIG fan of butternut squash ravioli, so I was a little disappointed. I just thought it would have been better if the squash filling was more savory instead of sweet, but maybe that's just me! I know some people like their squash on the sweet side. However, the BF really enjoyed his extra grilled shrimp and I definitely finished my meal, so obviously the sweetness of the ravs didn't turn me off too much! For dessert, the birthday boy ordered some bread pudding. I was too full so I didn't really eat any - he said it was good, but would've been better with ice cream. Isn't everything better with ice cream? After our groupon, I think our bill was around $55 or $60 - not bad considering 3 glasses of wine, appetizer, 2 entrees and dessert! We liked this place - I would definitely give it another shot!!
(4)Michael S.
We had a great early dinner after a matinee musical event nearby. Everything was great on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Not going to knock your socks off with nouvelle cuisine, but good solid food from the Bruschetta appetizers to the Penne and Sausage and the vegetarian dishes selected by one of our part. Highly likely to visit again.
(4)Grant D.
I've dined here about half a dozen times over the last 7ish years. Each visit, my opinion has improved. Two big negatives come to mind quickly. The first is the parking. Holy crud is it terrible! They are located in a strip-mall, so there isn't much that can be done about it. Still, when I hear we will be going there, the parking is the first thing I think about. Second, what kind of Italian restaurant doesn't have an Alfredo dish on the menu? Granted, I do love me some good Alfredo sauce, but I also use it as a baseline for the quality of the restaurant. If they can't make a good Alfredo, odds are they can't do much good. The second point is what initially turned me off about this place. I'm happy to say that I sucked it up and got something else. Turned out, they do other stuff pretty good too! Oh yeah, they have plates that make me think I'm traveling aboard the Starship Enterprise. That's just silly, but perhaps it matters to someone. The menu is mildly varied, but every item I've tried to date has been excellent. Wine selection is about the same as their menu; mildly varied. But again, they have done a decent job of selecting wines that pair well with their offerings. I do wish they had beer on tap; I get it, wine goes with Italian, but still. Staff has always been very friendly. Maybe not the quickest or best organized around, but I've always felt welcome and have been treated well. It is dimly lit (bring reading glasses, if you need them) and generally comfortable. It is fairly quiet, so loud-talkers can be heard throughout the restaurant when they are in attendance. Only twice have I been annoyed by another diner. Not Nonna's fault. I finally tried the boring old spaghetti and meatballs on our last visit. Sad to say, I will probably order the same next time too. It was delicious, and I'm still not sure how something so plain and boring could taste so good! Be sure to grab a couple of appetizers too, as they are all excellent. Some of the best calamari I've had in Denver. Not exactly a high hurdle, but still very good calamari....tentacles and all!
(4)Erin H.
Hello, my name is Erin, and I'm an addict. A coconut addict. You might wonder how on earth that is relevant to a review of an Italian restaurant. Well, it's because they offer this heavenly three layer coconut cake on their dessert menu. I had to resist ordering another piece to take home, because I knew I would end up eating it that night. I can't say I'll be able to resist visiting again, and again, and again to keep eating that cake. It was abso-freakin-lutely fantastic with coconut custard between the layers and frosting coated with coconut flakes. Yum. And, the other things we got for dinner were also delicious. This could end up being my new favorite Italian place in town and it's conveniently close to the office - yay! The cocktail list had a number of choices and all looked delicious. I went with something that I think had "dragonfly" in the name. It had St. Germain, pomegranate liquor, vodka (I think), and some other yummy stuff. Let's just say I was very happy with my choice. Unfortunately, it didn't look like there was ever a happy hour on all those tasty choices. For dinner I opted for their "homemade lasagna" which is the version with meat (they also have a vegetarian lasagna). Again, delicious. Big chunks of beef and sausage, just enough cheese, and tasty sauce. I thought I'd eat half because it was so big, but ended up having to use restraint not to eat it all and ended up only bringing a little section home as leftovers. Entrees come with a nice house salad and some delicious warm bread served with marinara. I also tried my friend's bolognese and the flavors were excellent. As others have mentioned, the price point is a bit on the high side for an Italian restaurant, but I think they are completely reasonable given what you get. Many places I've been may be a little cheaper, but the salad is separate. Or, it's cheaper, but doesn't taste quite a good. Nonna's was fantastic. And, even if everything else had sucked, I'd still be back... for that coconut cake.
(5)Kim S.
I use to come to Nonnas all the time, and loved it. We moved out of state and moved back. We came here for the first time in several years, and it just wasn't the same. It doesn't have the same warm feel that it had before. The waiter wasn't that attentive and the food isn't quite as good as it use to be. It's just not the same.
(2)Cristina W.
I've had this place recommended me by dozens of Denver natives. I thought it was very overpriced and not much more delicious or authentic than Olive Garden. In fact, I almost prefer Olive Garden over this place.
(2)Julie P.
It's Monday! I am sooooo excited to have found this little gem. We wondered in and were informed that it was Meatball Mondays! It was a perfect meal. Delicious bread, salad, and an amazing marinara sauce accompanied by two perfect meatballs. My new Monday fave. Yummy! P.S. The atmosphere is so cozy and comfy! Come seeeeeeeee!
(4)Denise G.
Don't go to this restaurant if you are expecting an Italian Beef. This is much more of an Italian Restaurant than a Chicago eatery. I wasn't expecting that when I walked in, but everyone I start to tell about it, ask about their Italian beef. All I wanted when I arrived, was some chicken parmigiana. That is exactly what I got. Sitting on a bed of spaghetti pasta and doused in mariana, I was in heaven. Great lunch, and I even had leftovers. My lunch buddy went with a personal pizza covered with homemade giardinara. Again, it isn't a Chicago style pizza. It was a typical thin crust type pizza. She seemed pretty happy with it except she was surprised there were green olives on it. Not sure if that is normal with giardinara, but I had to throw that out there. Great service. I am pretty sure it was the owner herself that helped us. The prices are a bit high for lunch portions, but I was still happy with my choice. Cute restaurant for a family dinner or have a glass of wine at the bar.
(4)Danielle J.
I've driven past this place a 1,000 times and would have never gone in if a friend hadn't absolutely raved about it. The strip mall it is in and the exterior don't seem promising, but the inside was super cute and cozy, and the food and service was fantastic. Their calamari isn't just some fried pieces slapped on a plate with some mayo dipping like many places do, but was wonderfully fresh with capers, kalamata olives & feta on top. Their Italian dressing wasn't just a food services version either and was fantastic. Beautiful presentation and taste! Even though we didn't go with the special for our dinner, they have 1/2 price bottles of wine on Wednesdays and had a decent selection of wines. I think this place is a total gem!
(4)Eric B.
We love Nonna's!
(5)Kate F.
This was a really great find from Yelp!! Fantastic ambience was killer! Live jazz band.... Good wine. Delish food. My salmon was a little over cooked, but the calamari was divine. Patty, our server, was just lovely!!!
(4)Desiree K.
It's been 7 months since I've been here, but I decided to give it one last try- and I'm glad I did! It was a great experience. . From the greeting, the service and the food! I'm glad I gave it another shot and will be back much sooner than later!
(4)Taylor L.
Tried this place out last Sunday and loved it! Very cozy spot with amazing food. I can't wait to go back when they have live music playing :) oh and the bartender Sarah was very kind and pleasant !
(5)Nick F.
Wow this place is a hidden gem-the first time you visit they make you feel as appreciated as an old friend. The food is great and service even better.
(5)Lace M.
The Italian dressing is so delicious! The clam/mussel pasta was very flavorful. Unfortunately the service of the waitress was not very good & it was a pretty slow night.
(3)Jonathan B.
Took my first jump into a smaller Italian restaurant. I was first surprised by the location in a strip mall, however most importantly the ambiance of the restaurant. The proprietor certainly went beyond my expectations, in this area. However the the quality of the food, and the service went beyond what I had expected. I'd first have to say the wine was fantastic, and of course the main entrée is a gem for this location. Our dessert, was the topping on the cake was certainly the tops. The best recommendation I could make would encourage reservations on weekends, as they are busy.
(5)Imugi M.
If your as big of a foodie as I am, then you know that there is a special place in your heart that can actually tell when something was made with love. This is hands down my most favorite Italian food in the front range! The Stuffed Mushrooms, The Mussels, The Pecan Crusted Salmon, The Spaghetti and Meatballs, The Eggplant Parmesan, The Wedge Salad, I can't get enough! Love the intimate classy atmosphere, love the staff, the live jazzy music and the portions! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Andrew M.
This is my favorite Italian place. Every year, on our anniversary, my wife and I go here. Try the stuffed mushrooms, the carpaccio, the penne a la vodka, and the fettuccine alfredo. The service here is great. We have always been treated like royalty here.
(5)Crystal S.
I went here a while ago for my Fiance's birthday. The food was delicious. The service was excellent, and the wine was very lovely. I remembered it a few nights ago and decided to go back. I had the chicken piccata which pairs amazingly with souvignon blanc wine. The server was really nice, not a long wait at all, and there was a guy playing the piano there. Great atmosphere, lovely food, lovely wine. I guarantee I'll go back next time I'm looking for good Italian. Bonus, try the Tirimisu!
(5)Jan H.
I wish I could give Nonna's 10 stars. It's hard to describe the atmosphere - it's family owned and very friendly and upscale at the same time. I've met Nonna and several family members while dining here over the years. Everyone - family or not - is great and makes you feel at home. The menu is more than what you'd expect from a family owned Italian restaurant and I've never been anything but pleased with a meal. There are the standards (lasagna, chicken picatta, manicotti) and also more adventurous choices like Asparagus Ravioli and Pecan Crusted Salmon. There's enough variety to please anyone in your group - and it's all delicious. Nonna's is tucked away in a small shopping center at Leetsdale and Monaco. It's a local gem that's close to Cherry Creek but far enough away to have its own personality. This place is really not to be missed.
(5)Meghan D.
Truly amazing! We were in from out of town and stumbled upon this place based on prior yelp reviews. When we arrived it was clean, cute, and just the right amount of busy (no wait, but not empty). My kids were a little nutty, so they brought over bread (really good!) and got their meals going quick. My son had gluten free pasta (he said it was good) and about 6 meatballs. My veal Marsala was a little over cooked/chewy but the sauce was the best I've had. Over all a great experience, attentive and helpful staff and great food. I would go back for sure.
(4)Aaron J.
We had such a fun time. Abby the bartender is the best and the wine is always great. The food was super hot and fresh and the atmosphere is jazzy and fun for anyone.
(5)Shanna K.
I came here based on a coupon, because I was looking for places around my new job. I walked in at noon on a Monday, and the place was basically empty -- not usually a good sign. I was a bit nervous. However, the service was great; the waitress was friendly, on top of things like keeping my iced tea filled, and was knowledgeable about the menu (including which items were vegetarian!). The food was good, although having lived in Philly and having a partner from NY, it definitely wasn't as good of an eggplant parm sub as it could have been. I'll have to take my partner back to try some other items and get his Italian feedback. All in all, a good place for a bite. It's a little pricey for what you get, but the laid back atmosphere and excellent service make up for that.
(4)Stephanie S.
Went there on Thursday for my mother's 70th birthday. The food was amazing! I had chicken picatta- best I've had in all the years I've been away from NY. We enjoyed our meal immensely and the service was on point. My only disappointment was that when I made my reservation I told them it was a special birthday, my mom even had a corsage- well I guess since we didn't want dessert (cake was at home) they decided not to do anything. They could have had the piano player play Happy Birthday or brought her something small with a candle... Any acknowledgement would have been nice.
(5)Cindy D.
My step father and I stop here periodically when out in that area. The food is terrific even comparable to some in Chicago area where I am from. Have only found three others can say that about in 32 years I have been out here and 1 is in Scottsdale ! Staff always friendly , restaurant is always clean with a great " homey" feel to it. Parking was only issue but when we were there last week server told us about parking in back. So now truly not a complaint can be made! Thanks all, look forward to next visit!
(5)johanna d.
Nonna's was recommended to us by a couple of friends, but I always put off going there because of the underwhelming exterior and neon signs in the window. I do sometimes judge a book by the cover. However, in this case, I wish I had listened to my intuition and skipped this restaurant. For starters, the wine I ordered, a Seiano Rosso, was weak and disappointing, despite it having about 60% Sangiovese wine, one of my favorites. I sent it back for a Banfi Classico Chianti, which came in the world's smallest pour. Our server was very friendly and accommodating, but she messed up our order, brining us vegetable lasagna instead of eggplant parmesan. This is okay, except for the fact that we had to wait an additional 10 minutes for it to arrive, well after all the other food had been eaten and we were ready to leave. The eggplant Parmesan had a nice breading and was delicately fried, but the sauce was acidic and there were steamed vegetables served on the side. I found this strange, I mean, who serves steamed vegetables on top of eggplant Parmesan? Likewise, we had ordered manicotti with vegetables on the side, but like the eggplant,, the manicotti came topped with vegetables. Aargh. Despite the mix-ups being the server's mistake, the owner, Brian, did nothing to accommodate us, you know, like not charge us for the dish, or apologizing for the mishap, or some gesture that would engender good feelings in the customer. The house salads were made with not so fresh produce and the Italian dressing was acidic and biting. The manicotti was inexplicably served with a heavy white sauce and was dense and heavy and unlike any manicotti I have ever eaten. This is not a good thing. All in all, the food was heavy and unappealing, the sauces were uninspired, the atmosphere was uninviting ( note: for a real retro moment, check out the black toilets in the women's restroom), and the quality of the service, especially from the owner, Brian, was dismal. The only reason that I give this restaurant two stars is because the server seemed genuinely kind and willing to please. Apart from her, there is nothing positive that I can say about this restaurant.
(2)Kevin A.
Great Italian restaurant in a very nondescript strip mall. We live in Parker and have no problem driving here for dinner. Salads and bread are delicious! My favorite is the Chicken Florentine, and my wife loves the Mad Pasta. This is one of our favorites. Wait staff is also very attentive.
(4)Damion W.
I called last minute on a Saturday night to see if they could accommodate a group of 13 in two hours, I knew this would be a stretch because the restaurant isn't large and it is a busy time. Needless to say, they were more than happy to accommodate. Brian, the manager, worked his magic and made it happen. My concerns: The service, it took 15+ minutes for us to get bread. At most Italian restaurants they have the bread ready to go as soon as you are ready to sit down. I think it may have been our server, there were several times where I think she may have been overwhelmed. She may have needed someone to give her a hand. I think the management team and the other servers noticed that and gave her a hand about halfway thru our meal. The good: the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. Everyone in the group enjoyed their meal, personally, I had spaghetti and meatballs, I wish the portion was a little bigger; nonetheless it was pretty damn good. My fiancé had the chicken parmesan, she enjoyed it, and my mom had the ribs, she won't stop talking about them! All in all, we can't wait to go back for a nice Italian meal.
(4)Genna G.
About to start a 3 week cleanse, my boyfriend and I wanted go out with a bang, aka carbo load on comfort food on a Friday night. We decided to do take out not knowing about the live music and we're pleasantly surprised with this little gem. We ordered calamari and an entree each. The calamari was a little different. It's served fried with feta cheese, olives and capers. Very good! I had the carciofo con pollo because I can't say no to bow tie pasta or sun dried tomatoes. Very generous portion and comes with salad! It was wonderful. My boyfriend had the Madd Pasta. It had a little kick but could have been spicier. Highly recommend it, and based on other Yelper's reviews, we'll be dining there for some live music next time!
(5)Eryn K.
This place is lovely. I came here last night to celebrate, and the ambiance was perfect, the food was seriously quality. there was live music, piano and singer, and they were incredibly kind, and the music itself was great. :) it was your classic fancy Italian restaurant, in a very unlikely location. this place was a great find, with impeccable service and INCREDIBLY fast bussing, so no lines or waiting, on a friday night, despite how pleasantly full it was. i'd recommend this to anyone looking to impress someone, or just go out for some great wine and food, and ambiance.
(5)Kirk B.
Great service. Great food. Came in on a Sunday nite and it was a quiet nite. Perfect for having a relaxed meal and conversation. Had the eggplant parm and it was great. Crisp eggplant and just the right amount of cheese. Finished up with the coconut cake and it was the perfect ending. Owner even stopped by to see how things were going halfway thru the meal.
(5)Julia L.
If you know Volare, and want it played over a true old school Italian dinner, go to Nonnas. Calamari was delicious. MADD pasta comes with a salad and was big enough to share, spicy, yummy and seasoned perfectly. Save room for dessert! Coconut cake was well just like my Nonna used to make:). The service was super friendly and all food courses were times perfectly.
(5)Cubby R.
Greetings from downtown Denver. Although its a bit far from downtown, it's definitely worth the trip to southeast denver to eat here. I always get lasagne here cuz its simply the best. Tonite I tried the veal parmigiana. It was omg deliteful. Served with a small salad to begin with and bread and dipping marinara sauce. The entree was served over linguini with a small side of yellow squash asparagus carrots. Now I have 2 favorite items. Waitress Tarah was friendly efficient and kept my water full. Definitely will return here. Shorts and tee shirt are just fine. After all its summertime here in Colorado :)
(5)Terry B.
One of the worst 'Italian' places I've ever been too. Everything was frozen, the parmigiana, the veal cutlet, etc. Sauce was not any better than something out of a jar. The wine glasses were small and should be used for water, not wine, overall, a horrible experience. Try Panzano, Venice, a sub shop, this place is not good.
(1)Brandon B.
Been here 10+ times. Each has been absolutely fantastic. Definitely my favorite Italian place in Denver. Traditional favorites that are phenomenal. The best mussels I've had in a long time. Lasagna that is breathtaking. A chop salad that I would eat everyday if I could. I am not a fan of the crazy fusion buzz all over - prefer the home favorites and Nonna's delivers abundantly. Also comes with some of the best service in the business. Thanks Nonna's - see you soon.
(5)Karen G.
Before I start my review I will say that I love the fact that this location is so close to us!! Now we that being said, i will state that for the price you pay you would expect better. Much better. I like their moscato here- and their oh so warm bread but unfortunately that's all I like about them. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 times and this last time was the last one for us. It was more like a reminder why not to go have dinner at this place. Appetizers were meh and the main dishes just lacking flavor. I felt like I was eating hard pasta with shrimp cream and lots of lemon juice. I would actually prefer to have a pene rosa from noddles and company or a red lobster pasta dish any day then the paste here.
(1)debbi m.
When the previous owner had Nonna's this was a great please to eat! The new owners have zero ability to manage- problems with food,waiters having attitude-the proof is in the reviews- the new nonna's is great. Sadly this part of town will have to drive a bit south to get the food and class that this place started out with!!!
(1)Nathan G.
I was here for a business lunch today. This is a great little spot with a really warm, homey interior that belies it's strip center exterior. I had the Italian beef sandwich. My lunch mate had the eggplant parm, it looked great. The anti-pasta is massive for $10! Great deal. Very cool place, I will be back.
(4)S T.
Everything on the menu is good. Always get great service. Live jazz music was fantastic! The only complaint that I could have is that we always spend way too much money, but the food is worth it. I even get pizzas to go from here because they are delicious! I never order dessert, but the chocolate lava cake is amazing and worth the calories. I'd point out what to order for dinner, but I've never had anything that wasn't superb. Misleading because it is in a strip mall, but it is way nicer than usual strip mall places.
(5)Roxanne S.
Best Italian in Denver. We come here for both our birthdays and our anniversary! The carpaccio, whatever is on special, and of course the tiramisu (we have to get two because its too fantastic to share. ..) does it every time. Five stars always!!
(5)Claudia B.
Got invited to check out this place for a girls night dinner last week. I'm always up for trying new Italian restaurants so I was a definite "in" for the event. I was really happily surprised!! The place is small so there aren't many tables (we had to wait a little while even though we had reservations) but it's worth it. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms (which I didn't eat because I don't like mushrooms) and the Bruschetta to start. The Bruschetta was very delicious, I'd definitely order it again. Then I had the Shrimp Vodka pasta (with Penne pasta). As the name says...it's Shrimp, Penne Pasta, and a Vodka cream sauce (and sun dried tomatoes). Can you say DELICIOUS?! Plus I tried everyone else's dishes and loved every single one of them except one (which had mushroom sauce so no big surprise). Their wine list was reasonably priced and the Malbec is phenomenal. I didn't even try another wine after I had my first glass. I believe it's owned by a couple (or at least a man and woman) as we had what appeared to be the owners come by at separate times and just make sure we were having a fabulous time and enjoying everything. Great personal touch. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Vicki P.
I have never had a bad meal at Nonna's. Neither have the friends and family we've taken there for dinner. The food is wonderful and the service is attentive. I just wish the prices were more reasonable. Instead of Nonna's being a neighborhood trattoria that I would frequent, it's priced as a special occasion restaurant that I only visit once in a blue moon. It's truly unfortunate. There is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings if you're into the Rat Pack vibe. We have found that it is too loud for the space and we either avoid those times or ask to be seated as far away from the piano as possible so we can hold a conversation. Nonna's is a family owned business that has done well at this location for several years and will hopefully be around for several more. I will keep visiting as much as I can, even though it's not as often as I would like.
(3)Greg N.
Great food and ambiance! The live music was especially soothing and complemented the meal. We went for the Chicken Picatta and Eggplant Parmesan. Both were amazing. If the front lot is full, there is additional parking in the rear of the building. Enjoy!
(5)Joe M.
This is a nice, family owned restaurant with very good food and service. The food is a little on the pricey side ($16-20) for an entrée, but very good. I recommend the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. The waitress insisted they were among the best things on the menu and she was right. Portions are huge, so resist the temptation to eat too much of the warm bread they bring. We went on a Friday night and they had live music which was very pleasant. Not too loud, yet easy to listen to and we were still able to converse. Overall, a very good experience.
(4)Shannon M.
Went to Nonna's last night since I'd heard good things about it and had a Restaurant.com gift certificate to use. Started with the calamari - I hadn't read the description on the menu so I was expecting the same old, same old. When it came out it was covered with feta, tomatoes, olives and artichokes - it was FANTASTIC! I had the Madd Pasta - it was great; unfortunately my husband wasn't wowed by the chicken marsala but still ate the whole thing. The disappointment came at the end of the meal when we were informed they no longer accepted Restaurant.com gift certificates which was the primary reason we chose to dine there last night. It was the attitude of the manager (?) that bothered me...the least he could have done was comp my glass of wine since we ended up spending $25 more than we had anticipated.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Really great place to go for a romantic date-night with the hubby. The food is wonderful, but a bit over-priced in my opinion. We still love it though!
(4)Autumn E.
Way too expensive for the quality of food Not impressed with any of the dishes we had Great service, the staff couldn't have been nicer Nice lively atmosphere We tried Nonna's because we had guest in town and wanted an Italian place that wasn't too expensive, but not too casual either since they wanted to treat. We heard good things about Nonna's so we decided to chance it. Sadly we were disappointed. To start it was way more expensive than we thought pasta dishes start average at about $19. Which would have been fine if it matched the quality of the dish. Im not sure if three stars is appropriate, it wasn't 2 stars bad, but it wasn't 3 stars good either. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms, good but just packaged sausage and cheese nothing special. I tasted the bolognese, which was a ton of ground meats, not much pasta and sauce. And I had the penne vodka shrimp, sad to say mine was awful. The shrimp were hard and rubbery from being over cooked, and tasted like they were from a freezer bag. The pasta seemed like it was the basic spaghetti you get from the grocery. Sauce was nothing to write home about. The whole meal was kind of a bummer. I would really love the place if they revisted there pasta dishes, and added fresher quality ingredients and payed attention to the cooking times. If we do go back I would go with more of an entree like chicken marsala. A lot of regulars were drinking martinis which looked good.
(3)Chey B.
Delizioso! I had the stuffed mushrooms and asparagus ravioli- both amazing. The blue cheese dressing was the best I've ever had. Our waitress was helpful, feisty fun and attentive. Live music was an entertaining touch.
(5)Marissa B.
True hidden gem- I had my doubts when we pulled in and found this place next to a tanning salon but it ended up greatly exceeding my expectations! The calamari is a must. The bread pudding was divine.
(4)Michelle A.
A bottle of ok red wine, minestrone soup, ok salad, stuffed mushrooms, lasagna, baked Ziti, and garlic bread. Great company on a cold snowy night and Utalian makes for a great evening. The service was not the best even though I waiter was friendly and knew us from waiting on our table a few other times. There was soup and pasta leftover. What a great lunch for the following day. However my husband ate my ziti so I had no lunch. Oh well I had leftover salad from my lunch. It is a quiet family owned restaurant that is a plus for me. It 's a nice place between two friends and their homes. The one downer is it is not cheap.
(4)Adele R.
I want to love Nonna's, but they make it hard. So...they remain at a "like" status. They are very hit or miss. We have had some wonderful food and great customer service, and we've had some pretty terrible food and awful service. Last time we went, I had the special: crab cakes w/garlic ravioli. Blech. The crab cakes were all breading. And deep fried. Just dry and tasteless. I should know better than to get the special ("special" in restaurant world seems to mean: we are putting all our old food into one dish and trying to get rid of it). I love that they have live music, they have a fabulous wine list. I just wish they would be more consistent with the quality of both their food and service.
(3)