Il Fornaio
Denver Tech Center,8000 East Belleview Avenue, Ste G-10, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111
Il Fornaio Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Greenwood Village for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
Denver Tech Center,8000 East Belleview Avenue, Ste G-10
Greenwood Village, CO, 80111 - Phone (303) 221-8400
- Website https://ilfornaio.com/greenwoodvillage
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Rebecca R.
I took my niece and nephews for lunch here (ages 12,9,6) yesterday and sat outside. Our waiter was great and had so much patience with the kids. Whomever you were, thank you! He even had the kitchen make Mac and cheese for the 12 year old even though it wasn't on the menu. Kids can be picky like that. Two of the kids had French fries and said they were the best fries they ever had. I know it's an Italian restaurant but, the fries were on the kids' menu. My dish which was the noodle dish with the vodka cream sauce was just ok though. We'll be back because of the way you treat kids with that special touch. That does not go unnoticed.
(4)Thomas B.
Our favorite restaurant. Service is always exceptional, nice wine list and great food.
(5)Kent M.
We were both positive impression here tonite for dinner. Both fish stuff. Salmon and sea bass. Very good all and great service. Will def return.
(5)Pam M.
Beautiful restaurant, friendly and professional service and excellent food! Sufficient wine list. The location is convenient to I-25 and the Tech Center area. We will certainly return and highly recommend.
(4)Trae G.
Love this place the service is always amazing and the food taste so fresh. Took the wife here for the first time she loved the calamari said she can't eat it from anywhere else. Always worth a good place to eat when in the area.
(5)Jillian H.
Had lunch today at IL fornaio. The food was great and our server Emma was professional and friendly. We will be back soon!
(5)Nathan G.
Il Fornaio always delivers. Great food, service and atmosphere. I enjoy many business lunches and dinners here.
(5)Neil S.
Very good looking restaurant. Service was great. I had veal picata. Not great, not bad either. We had a sampling of desserts. Those were good. It was a bit overpriced. Prom week. I included our neighbors in photo.
(3)Melissa D.
Mediocre at best. None of the food tasted or even looked good. When the bread was the best part, that's when you know you're in trouble.
(2)Florence B.
The seafood was really good but the pizza disappointing for an Italian restaurant.. Good service but the place is noisy due to the open kitchen next to the tables.
(3)Ami B.
An opportunity missed...I live in close proximity to Il Fornaio, and have driven by Il Fornaio for 3+ years before stepping foot inside. We (husband and 2 kids) were looking to try someplace we hadn't dined at before, for a nicer meal. What a lovely dining experience, with great service, and wonderful food. My kids (ages 10 and 12) are pretty adventurous eaters and love dining out. They loved their meal, the friendly waiter, and the soda refills without even asking. I had the best piece of fish I have had in a long time. The timing of the service was perfect. We will definitely be back for another visit and I am already looking forward to it.
(4)Phillip G.
Exemplary service. Superior food quality. Immaculate presentations. Why does this place have a rating of less than four stars??? I ate here three times in about a week (thank you company expense accounts). Each time I was met with friendly bartenders and delectable delights. George, Milo, and John made each trip in a culinary delight. The regular menu is good, but go right to the last item on the specials menu for some of the best of the day. I was fortunate enough to enjoy grilled duck breast, veal chops smothered in asparagus and melted cheese, and mushroom risotto with grilled tenderloin (not all at once). The artistry of their presentation impressed me enough to come back repeatedly. Don't skip out on dessert either. The tiramisu is incredibly fluffy. The raspberry chocolate torte (or whatever its name is) was simply marvelous. Do not be mislead by the low ratings of others. Give it Il Fornaio a try and enjoy.
(5)Paul M.
Great place to go on a business lunch, close to the tech center and pretty quiet, especially if you go at 11:30am. The servers are really friendly and attentive and take care to make sure your drink is full often. The food is great, just don't get full on appetizers. The free bread is amazing and you'll find yourself eating 3 or 4 pieces if you aren't careful! Calamari is also a good starter. I am not a fan of the Caesar salad here, the dressing is tart, the parm flakes are huge and it comes with hard boiled eggs and 4 gigantic croutons. The pasta is great. I had the fettuccine alfredo with roasted boar meatballs and mushrooms. The pastas are nice and creamy and the presentation is great. I just can't read a damn thing on the menu because all titles are in Italian. The ones that are especially bad are on the print out that comes with the menu, cramped Italian writing in CURSIVE! Put just point to what you want to order ;) I will be going back.
(5)Roman G.
I ate here on a Sunday evening so the restaurant wasn't very full. Also, I've eaten at one before so I know the restaurants are casual even though their decor is very nice in all of their restaurants and would suggest more of a white table cloth restaurant. Service was good and food was good.
(3)Catherine P.
Service was great. Matt M took really good care of us. Hubby and I had pasta dishes that we enjoyed. Their ciabatta bread is fabulous! Not so much the bread with rosemary. Blach! Devil herb! We went on Mother's day and I was given a lovely bottle of pepperoncini oil as a gift. We will be back.
(4)Sherrine C.
Amazing food- every single bit of it was good. Great choice, I would and will do it again.
(5)Anthony K.
Wonderful ambiance, very good food, and a good wine list in this lovely restaurant in the deep suburbs of Denver, CO. Service was energetic, young, and attentive. Great bar scene, too. Wonderful house salad, delicious lasagna, hanger steak, seafood, and a crazy good dessert trolley. Eaten there three times when on business in Denver and will again.
(4)Jasmine G.
We has an excellent Easter brunch here. Everyone enjoyed their dish - it was so unbelievably delicious. The Russian waitress is so sweet and attentive. We really enjoyed our family dinner together. For a special occasion or nice dinner, I would absolutely recommend this restaurant. I haven't been here in a long time, and I forgot how exquisite the desert rack is. Also, the cappuccinos and lattes are gourmet and excellent. The interior is very upscale and ambience is wonderful, they also have a full bar in the front. It was nice and quiet, not too loud, the tables are nice and spaced out. A lot of people were indulging in Easter brunch. We were grateful for our wonderful family time together here this Sunday!
(5)Angelique F.
Loved it!! Recommend by fellow co-workers and glad they did!! We were lucky enough to have patio sitting near fireplace ....and it was fabulous. Our dinner did take longer then expected, but overall ambiance, food, and service was top notch!
(4)Chris S.
This place was awesome, where to begin. Let's start with the salad. I split it with a friend and don't remember the name of it, but it was delicious. The main dish was the lasagna, which was to die for. The noodles were cooked perfectly; the sauce was amazing; the cheese was great. Really, you can't get much better than that when it comes to lasagna. Then we had dessert - tiramisu. The mascarpone was so fluffy; the didn't just whip it, they beat the living crap out of it. I recommend this place for a good date night.
(5)Chad C.
This meal was a real shame. I must admit I failed to do my yelp research before making a reservation. If I had I would have seen the same problems I experienced. I like to focus strictly on the food, the service was fast, pleasant, etc. The real disappointment was the menu. There was a lot of emphasis placed on the region specific tasting menu and we jumped right on the opportunity to try a sample of 6 different items. Unfortunately just about all of them fell flat. The mushroom soup was average at best, a decent tasting broth but no real substance. Worse yet was the sausage risotto, which lacked any real flavor whatsoever. I'll add that it wasn't even cooked properly either. The cannelloni with béchamel sauce and gruyere cheese was almost offensive to the taste buds, it would have been worse if it had more flavor. I'll say that fortunately we did not leave hungry as the entrees were acceptable. Hard to mess up roasted duck and roasted salmon. Each were edible but neither were real memorable. Highlights of the meal were the bread and the only thing on the menu the chef didn't cook up, the double espresso ice cream float for dessert. In the end we spent close to $150 and I can't remember a more flat Italian meal. Value for the dollar was obviously not there but even if I had only spent $75 I still would not be returning to Il Fornaio.
(2)Heather B.
I ate here with a medium-size party using their special menu. I enjoyed the salmon dish provided, but it was nothing special. Based on this experience, is an average restaurant with good atmosphere & service.
(3)Terry N.
Dead on Friday, cool river packed. Below average food service and flavor
(2)Alexandra K.
My boyfriend and I love coming to Il Fornaio. We came in the restaurant the other day and Our experience was wonderful. The hostess was friendly and our server (Emily) was knowledgeable about wine and food pairings. We had a great date night and will recommend it to our friends!
(5)Marnie S.
I was surprised to see 3.5 stars. We had dinner here the other night and the service was warm & welcoming, the food was better than average (I know some of the other reviewers found the food so-so). I'll be back and if I need to adjust my rating, I certainly will.
(4)Liz L.
We came with a bigger group for work we made reservations and the table was ready when we arrived. Atmosphere: it is nice-good ambiance-open kitchen all good in the hood The service: Our waiter was nice enough but he completely forgot about our appetizers and just went into our salads and soups. Then something I thought was odd on the actual restaurant floor another waiter screamed/shouted at our waiter? I couldn't tell what they were shouting about but our waiter rolled his eyes and kept on walking. The food: very, very mediocre I had the butternut squash soup that was disgusting no taste and nothing exciting I took 2 spoonfuls and pushed it away. I also had the caprese salad...the totamotes were so unbelieve able mushy I just ate the cheese and pushed the rest away....the waiter actually took this off the bill. The only highlights was dessert which we had a chocolate mousse creme with layered custard loveliness....delicious...delicious... I would reccomend just coming here for a dessert and a drink and go to dinner elsewhere...the atmosphere is nice but it doesn't make up for the poor so/so food...I came here to eat not to sit in a nice room.
(2)Ron P.
The food is fabulous! Matt our sever, is the best and we always go with a large group and he really does a great job for us. Rich the manager, is terrific! We go every month and we love the wine dinners that they have also.
(5)Nancy N.
Service and food - subpar. Used to be a good place to dine. Went with a client. Service was horrendous and slow. Restaurant wasn't even packed. Two of us were seated in a booth with 4 place settings and never did the waiter clear the two other settings. At the end of the meal, after we waited and waited, I actually had to ask for the dessert menu. I don't plan on going back. As for the food. It was just ok. Nothing great. This is the 2nd time I've been there in a year. I won't waste another dime there.
(1)Carol J.
We were the first time here at the recommendation of a friend. The atmosphere is nice. We were seated right away with our reservation. We waited quite a long time for water. We ordered drinks and an appetizer which did arrive in a good time frame however the rest of our meal we both felt neglected ...no water refills no checking on us etc. while the food was good we decided the service wasn't up to the expectation for the cost. Doubt we will return.
(3)Jon H.
I first became suspicious when our waiter had noticeable tomato stains on his white jacked and white shirt. Then came the greasy calamari appetizer followed by unimaginative, and overpriced entrees. The lasagna was a hearty portion but too meaty and in need of a nice, rich tomato sauce. The orders among the other guests were mixed up and one person sent their dish back saying, "It is is dry and flavorless." It was kindly taken off the tab. This was a special occasion, a birthday for a 84 year old, and this was the first visit for all of us. Such mediocrity for such a high price. Even the lady manager, who came to periodically check on us, seemed ill at ease and distracted. I did not have dessert, but the others did and ate them with few comments. I finished my meal with a dreadful cup of coffee. Just before we left, paying sixty dollars a person, someone mentioned that there was at one time an ill Fornaio in lowdo. It was long gone. I now know why.
(2)Joe C.
To start, I know what you are thinking: "There are some good reviews for this place. There are some bad ones but most are good. I'm sure it's worth a try at least once." Let me save you the trouble. It's not worth a try. Not even once. Forgive me for inadvertently borrowing the slogan from the current anti-meth campaign, but no other phrase seemed entirely fitting to describe the less than mediocre impression that Il Fornaio left with my wife and me. To their credit, our initial reaction was good. The building is beautiful both outside and inside (despite a rather strange floor plan and table layout). Unfortunately, our experience took a turn for the worst shortly after taking our seat. The service throughout wasn't the worst I'd ever had, but it was definitely less than exemplary. Our server just seemed disinterested in us, which is not what you expect or desire when visiting a place for the first time. Again, to their credit, he was more than accommodating when we asked to return one of the dishes and comped that plate without so much as a suggestion from us. More on the food in a moment, though. The next disappointment was the prices. When you walk in and see the decor and work attire, you expect high prices, but you also expect good food to match. Drinks were expensive as expected but probably still ran a couple dollars higher than most places. Expect $10-$12 for a glass of wine instead of $8-$10. Finally, the food. I'll just cut to the chase, we had the conchiglie alla pollo and cannelloni al forno. The sauce for the conchiglie seriously tasted like Chef Boyardee. I am not taking artistic license, I am not exaggerating. You should not ignore it or dismiss it. It really, truly tasted like Chef Boyardee. The cannelloni was not as bad as the conchiglie but the marinara portion certainly had the same canned taste. The chicken inside was flavorless as was the béchamel over the top. Tangent: béchamel is French... Anyway, the whole dish just tasted like spinach and flour. Moral of the story, Il Fornaio is not worth a try. Be confident in saying, "I can do better than Il Fornaio," and just go across the parking lot to Noodles & Company.
(1)Ambera S.
The environment was lovely, food was delicious, and hostesses were helpful. Our server on the other hand was terrible. Never introduced himself ( I later learned his name was Scott only after asking) he rushed us, never cleared empty wine glasses, did the opposite of selling the dishes, never asked how we liked the wine, never offered desert. Not what is expected of a restaurant of this caliber. Train your serving staff.
(3)Chris K.
Great atmosphere, and good food. Pasta is made from scratch, and the wine list is solid (some great by-the-glass selections as well). Service was also very good.
(4)Joseph L.
This place was great. The food and service was outstanding. We had 4 people in our party and all the food was great. Thank you to our server for making us feel welcome.
(5)Anne M.
What a special place... From the beautiful Tuscan decor and fresh flowers, top notch service and fabulous fresh flavors... We will be back!
(5)Kurt J.
It gives me no pleasure to flame local businesses that provide jobs to residents of my hometown, but here's the short and skinny: 1. The bread was the highlight of our meal 2. The entrees were bland, there were 4 of us who dined tonight and we had the same exact consensus. 3. The only way I can describe their desserts as "Fresh" would be fresh out of the freezer. The tiramisu was quite literally still frozen at the bottom. 4. Unjustifiably expensive. $125 pre-tip for 4 people with NO alcohol 5. VERY elegant décor and design. I imagine this is why the prices are so high, it sure as hell isn't the skimpy portions of bland sauces and noodles, or the Deep-Freeze Special desserts. I just learned today that this is a CHAIN restaurant. My first time at an Il Fornaio location was in Irvine, CA back in 2011 - and I had the same experience then. A group of friends invited me to go to this one (Denver Tech Center) and I figured I'd give it another shot, maybe the Irvine location was just having an off-day -- Alas, such was not the case. It would appear that these restaurants just plain suck, regardless when you go or in what part of the country.
(1)Veronica C.
I love a sauce-generous Fettuccine Alfredo. I come here for for my FA fix. Whether it's on the menu or not, they always make it for me - consistently delicious. Okay red wine by the glass offerings, but not exceptional. A restaurant in this class should offer one heavy-hitter-wow by the glass.
(4)Andrew N.
Food was good, but our server interrupted our conversation to correct someone at our table in the middle of a friendly debate. Due to this, I honestly don't remember anything else from the meal.
(2)David H.
A well designed, comfortable restaurant in an upscale Southeast Denver neighborhood. The server took care of our party exceptionally well without being cloying or overbearing. The food--I had risotto, my companion had Chilean sea bass--was well prepared and delicious. Il Fornaio isn't inexpensive, but it's an excellent value.
(4)Pamela C.
No stars!!! My guy and I were out for the night & chose this restaurant based on a friend's recommendation. After being told there was a 25 minute wait, we headed to the bar to order drinks and peruse the menu. We sat for 10 minutes without a single acknowledgement from the two bartenders despite five open bar seats. We walked out and will NEVER go back. Appalling customer service! BTW, we're both former chefs: I graduated from the CIA and he, The French Culinary Institute. We know good food and appreciate a solid front-of-the-house experience, as well. FAIL!!
(1)Ta L.
Il Fornaio is always a great place for business luncheon. Staff is very professional and when I suggested that they offer a Veal Marsala for lunch, he suggested that the chef can make one for me right away. It was excellent. To have that kind of flexibility is terrific and clients are impressed also. Will be back as soon as I can.
(5)Kara H.
My family and I came here for my mom's birthday, which also happened to fall during Denver Restaurant Week. A party of four, we had a reservation and got seated promptly when we arrived at the restaurant. I always love it when restaurants manage to do that. The restaurant is beautiful, but the service and menu were just okay. Our waiter had this phony dramatic Italian accent thing going on, like he was driving a gondola in Venice or something. Some people might appreciate this but it annoyed me. We ordered our drinks, then an appetizer before deciding on what to have for dinner. Two of us elected to follow the 5280 menu, while the other two ordered off the regular menu. Off the 5280 menu, I got the spinach ravioli and they were okay. Nothing life changing but there was nothing wrong with them either. My sister's penne alla vodka was again, alright, but my mom's Conchiglie al Pollo ( "shell pasta, chicken breast, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, pecorino cheese, roasted garlic and trebbiano wine") was really just noodles and broccoli. You could have made it at home and it wasn't even that good,especially for $17. My dad's cannelloni off the 5280 menu was probably the best. Dessert was alright, they brought out a piece of tiramisu for my mom's birthday with a candle, which was a nice touch. The food was okay, nothing special but nothing horrifying either. Just meh. The service also, was just mediocre. We sat pretty much the whole dinner with our table covered in empty plates, while I could literally watch our server stand at the front desk flirting with the hostess. Service was slow, accentuated by our server's lack of attention. It was a Saturday night but our reservation was at 8:00 and the restaurant was markedly cleared by the time we sat down, so I can't use business as an excuse. With tip (20% because my dad is a nice guy) it was $216 for four, with two of our meals being the $52.80 deal. This just wasn't worth the money.
(2)Carly B.
Went here for a work-related lunch and I'm glad I wasn't paying. I'm actually surprised I had never been to Il Fornaio even though it's so close to the office. Definitely a welcome change from McCormick and Cool River, although maybe I'll order something different next time. To start, their bread was very good (lots of crusty heels) and came with fruity olive oil and vinegar for dipping. At this point, I decided not to overdo it, and opted for soup and salad. The minestrone was $4 for a cup and the caprese salad was $9 so surely the soup must be awesome and the salad must be huge? Not so. The minestrone was akin to the leftover vegetable soup I had back in the work fridge, but much mushier. And seriously, $4? I think the soup I made at home (with preserved from our garden or organic veggies) was $4 total to make like ten servings. And this soup had pretty cheap fillers like cabbage and potatoes. Salad was my main course and consisted of three smaller tomato slices and three half mozz balls (the size that's similar to a golf ball). Sooo....I was still hungry so I had to go to Starbucks afterwards for a snack. Some others had some delicious looking pasta entrees and one coworker had a great looking piece of salmon, so I would probably order something different next time. However, I have been to Il Fornaio in both Broomfield and Vegas and don't remember it being so spendy/mediocre, but maybe this DTC spot preys on the expense accounters.
(2)Iqra H.
I am seriously questioning the people who gave this place 4 or 5 stars. Either they dont get out much, or just dont know what good Italian food is!?? I remember coming here a couple years ago, and the food quality was much better than my most recent experience. I came here a week ago with a group of friends from a Meet-Up group. The dining area and ambiance is nice. But that is to be expected from a place in DTC charging these kind of prices. But when they charge these kind of prices, I expect some great quality food and something to remember. The only thing I remember is the over-priced, mediocre salad, the bland pasta dish, and feeling of regret that I should have picked somewhere better! Wow, does their food suck! This is NOT Italian food. And senving bread before the meal does not make it Italian either! I have been to Italy, and although I am not asking for authentic Italian food, atleast come somewhat close. This is just a very poorly revised version of Italian food designed to please the palate of the ill informed. All they've done is given Italian names to dishes that are NOT Italian. Just because you see a fancy name does not mean the food is sophisticated. I literally was offended that they would pass this garbage of food off as Italian. Do people enjoy paying high prices for crap food thinking they are getting a taste of Italy? There are much much better Italian restaurants in Denver that actually know what they are doing. Go spend your money there instead! I will NEVER be returning to this place again!
(2)David T.
Lovely lunch for two, outdoors in the attractive garden, with today's white wine special, a good choice. Starters: Terrific beet salad and soup du jour (squash/potato). She: Squash ravioli, ordered in a smaller portion, which is a nice option; He: Veal in a Marsala sauce (flavor was typical for this dish...) with roasted potatoes (yum) and steamed veggies - quite nice. Dessert: some kind of custard, nicely flavored, with authentic espresso. Service: excellent, knowledgeable, unobtrusive and timely. Recommended - reminded me of the continent. Spendy but - We'll go back.
(4)Eamonn M.
Awesome! Food was great. The salmon plate with potatoes, greens and carrots very delicious. And my brother had a ravioli plate, too very choice. But what topped our nice fine dining experience in the DTC area were two things; 1st and foremost, the service, George you made our American Italian restaurant experience top notch, thanks again! 2nd, George's exquisite wine knowledge and selection. We were gonna get some bottle of red for bout $35, didn't have in stock but after his selection, we paid a bit more and got the Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni red wine. We have been to Italy this year, had our way on fine wines but once more this place and the great service out did themselves. We shall be back sooner than later!!
(5)Cielo G.
A high-end atmosphere doesn't constitute charging high prices for fair food. Yet, they do it. Maggiano's is better; go there. Waitress was some old grandma who didn't fit the scene of the establishment. She did OK, on par with what the food was. Decent beet salad, but the whole wheat pasta dish with tomato sauce needs help. Pasta was overcooked, and the proclaimed arugula and garlic were nonexistent. I asked for a substitution; it didn't happen. Tables are too close together. I don't want to listen to my neighbors.
(2)Mai N.
Love the food here!!!! Recommend their great Italian dishes. Pasta! Yummy. Will be coming back to try it for dinner.
(4)Amanda D.
Was perusing Yelp for a Friday night restaurant and came across Il Fornaio. Upon further research, realized there was a location in New York, New York in Vegas, and that, more importantly, it's a sister restaurant to Canaletto in the Venetian! Instant winnah! Okay, to be fair, I've never actually tried Canaletto, but I've always wanted to... We weren't sure what the attire would be like so we (guilty as charged) came straight from the gym and slapped on some jeans. Oops. People were kinda dressy, and I will definitely make the effort to put on some heels next time we go. Prices are typical for an upper scale Italian restaurant (in the teens for most entrees). Had the penne vodka which was tasty. Service was attentive. Plan to return some day and try something new. Apparently they highlight a certain region of Italian cuisine each month for their list of specials. I'd love to go back when Firenze is featured!
(4)Emily J.
I have only been a handful of times but each time I have a great experience. The only reason they don't get 5 stars is because the service can be hit and miss at times. But the food is consistently good and the service is never downright horrible! I always seem to spend some time at the bar here waiting for my party to meet me and the bartenders are always courteous and conversational. I love their wine by the glass list and they have a few good sparklers as well. The food isn't anything very unique as far as the actual menu goes but it is always tasty and more than filling. I would suggest saving room for dessert, go with the apple crisp for sure! A good place to take out of towners or to entertain family or business clients.
(3)Tanya S.
We started off slow with almost 1/2 hour to get our drinks and it wasn't that busy. We started off frustrated and thought we had made a mistake coming here. I was unsure because of quite a few negative reviews of my fellow yelpers. We ended up with the carpaccio which was absolutely delicious with plenty of shaved cheese and a lemony olive oil drizzle. The star of this meal though was their fish special of the night....it was the grilled petrale sole dish with a lemon butter sauce. It was heaven for every bite. Take advantage of sitting on their patio on a summer evening....turned out great and even got a free dessert for the drink issue.
(4)Betty B.
We go here every year. The service and the food had gone way way down. It was such a shock. My whole family is changing their yearly celebration spot. It used to be worth the huge bill at the end, but now it's just overpriced crap.
(1)Misha M.
Not bad, but not great. We had a noon reservation and showed up at 12 on the dot only to be told that we had a few parties ahead of us that needed to be seated, but they would get to us shortly... What is the point of a reservation? Especially during lunch when a lot of people are still on the clock and can't take 2 hour breaks? The food wasn't bad, but nothing was memorable. Doubt I'll go when there are so many other options in DTC.
(3)Wanda C.
I came here for a birthday lunch that one of my (great) friends treated me to. My friend loves this place and once she learned I'd never been, this became the destination for our lunch. The details are fuzzy, but I recall ordering the Pennoni alla Vodka, which was scrumptious. For dessert, my friend and I shared Zabaione alla Gritti which was a chilled zabaione with fresh berries, Bellini sorbet, fresh whipped cream and amarena cherry . It was the perfect end to our meal, as it satisfied my desire for something sweet, but wasn't too heavy, since we both had to go back to work. Coming in for lunch, I wasn't sure what to expect, as the place always looked pretty fancy to me. The interior was beautiful and everything was first class, imo. I loved the cloth napkins and attentive service. Our server truly waited on us hand and foot. We had a great time and I only wish that my birthday celebration wasn't during work time, so I could have partaken of a glass of wine, but instead, sparkling water was the drink of the day. I would definitely return again.
(4)M R.
Molto Bene! Why don't more locals know about the one Il Fornaio that remains in the Denver metro? (The LoDo location closed years ago...but the DTC location is going strong!). I hosted a large dinner party on a Sunday evening and the service and quality were both outstanding! We'll be ditching Maggiano's and Macaroni Grill for this outstanding restaurant! The outstanding food and wine selection reminded me of Tuscany and Rome! Congratulations Il Fornaio! We actually bear-hugged the manager at the end of the evening!
(5)Lynne P.
Ate here for a company dinner so can't really judge the typical dinner experience. I enjoyed the salmon dish I was served, service was decent for a large party (50+). Nice decor and ambiance. This isn't somewhere I'd actively seek out to eat at as I'm not a huge Italian fan but if it was suggested, I wouldn't be opposed to trying again.
(3)Diane G.
We love love love this place... Food is outstanding, service is impeccable, happy hour menu is an amazing value. Milo and John are the best/nicest bar tenders in the whole city!
(5)Amirah R.
Great service and ambiance. Drinks were nice. I ordered salmon with roasted potatoes and green beans. It was good but needed a bit more flavors. Best part was the bread pudding. I would go back only for that.
(3)Cassandra F.
This is a very fancy Italian restaurant in the DTC. Excellent for business lunches. I got a panini with fries and a salad. Huge sandwich, saved half for later. Really good though. My companions meals looked good as well, fish and a salad. The waiter was excellent. Very attentive, and even came by to sweep the crumbs off of the table when we were done. Love this place and plan on going back.
(5)Gabrielle W.
I don't agree with the negative reviews on here. Il Fornaio in The Denver Tech Center is wonderful! Every time our family visits, we have consistently elegant experiences. A few years ago, maybe, it wasn't as good as it is now, but they've stepped up their game to a degree that certainly deserves a five star rating. The service is consistently en pointe. It is very apparent, Il Fornaio takes the time to educate their staff about the fine points of service, food, and beverage. My family loves it because our children are always treated like important guests as well. The staff is always willing to make menu suggestions for them and eager to joke with them. I was a waiter in fine dining restaurants for years, mostly Italian, and I find the food to be delicious, fresh, contemporary and well executed. I LOVE Il Fornaio's house made breads! The wine list is amazing as well. We are also big fans of the comfortable and classic Tuscan decor. My favorite thing, though is the way the managers play warm host to every table, floating through the restaurant, checking on everyone. It gives the feel that guests are important and honored at Il Fornaio. This is truly a breath of fresh air. While so many newer downtown restaurants act like they're doing you a favor by allowing you inside their establishment, Il Fornaio makes customers feel like special guests in a fine family home. This is a family favorite!
(5)Jamie M.
I adored this place! Wonderful ambiance, great service and incredible food! The food was so reminiscent of my Italian families cooking I felt like I was in my Nonnas kitchen! I only wish it weren't so pricey but it's well worth it for special occasions!
(4)Paula A.
My gracious boss took me for lunch yesterday to celebrate the Holidays. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. They also had a wonderful Moscato!
(5)Topaz A.
I like this place a lot for somewhat upscale Italian restaurant that is still casual enough to show up in jeans. Yes, it is a chain, but they still have good food. The fresh bread is excellent and the overall ambiance of the dining room is nice. It is much better than Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill or Brio, not even a comparison. I have had lamb, veal, salmon, and beef dishes and all were good. The wine selection is good too. I did have the osso buco last time I was there and it tasted a little over cooked and dry, not the best I have had but still decent. Overall the service is great too and the price is right on. The menu is big enough that just about anybody can find something to eat, even kids. I visit here about once a year and I will keep coming back. It is also a good place to bring clients for lunch or dinner.
(4)Michelle Z.
Saturday night out...shoulda gone to fast food. This food was terrible-if the chef can't cook a noodle, he ought to get out of the kitchen. The salad dressing was almost certainly bad as it had the most sour taste ever. We won't be retunring to IlFornaio.
(1)Michael C.
Wait staff left a lot to be desired. When you go into this place, you thing it's going to rock. You then read the menu and it talks about auhentic Italian, etc. OMG this is Cali-Italian and The Oive Garden is better. I'd rather eat sand paper than go to TheOlive Garden. If you are in DTC go to Chanti, Maggianos or Buca De Beppo.
(2)Eric C.
Looks can be deceiving indeed - unfortunately, first impressions matter. The restaurant has a great interior high really high ceilings and nice deco. Was in CO for a business trip with a colleague and decided to eat there since I've been staying at the hotel nearby and always wondered about this place. It was a weekday with not that many customers (other than a party going on in the private room). After placing our oder, our waiter took over 15 minutes to get water to us and actually looked exasperated/peeved when we asked for it (he thought we were asking why our food was taking so long and completely forgot we didn't have drinks yet) I ordered the "Petto di Pollo al Peperoncino" which was supposed to be grilled chicken - it was overly cooked,dry inside and very tough. I'm pretty should I could make rope out of it if I were to tear it to strands. My colleague ordered the "Spiedini di Gamberoni alla Griglia", when it came, he realized after the 3rd bite that the shrimp was raw in the middle - and it was the same throughout the other remaining ones. We sent it back , instead of cooking a new set of shrimp (which is what I would expect for a dish priced @ $27), they reheated it and it was overcooked when it got back. He wasn't able to eat 90% of the contents on the dish - The waiter offered 'free' dessert but we politely declined - was just difficult to eat any dessert when we hardly were able to eat our dinner. Other than the bread which I thought was great, it appeared that this was a expensive mistake that we'll never make again at this place. My recommendation is to consider the other restaurants around this area as there are plenty.
(2)Karen G.
In love with their butternut squash Ravioli :) and their moscato. I have been here twice and i can't wait to go back.
(5)David M.
I took my girlfriend here for Valentine's because every restaurant Lodo was booked. - The food was great - The atmosphere was nice without being pretentious - The service was attentive without being annoying or pushy - Our water glasses were never empty (one of the little things I watch) - Even though it is a chain restaurant, it didn't feel like one - The prices were very reasonable - We tried a new wine that we liked so much that we'll be ordering some for our home stash. Bottom line: girlfriend was very happy, and so was I.
(5)Paul W.
Had a pleasant business lunch here last week. Cost-wise, it seemed a bit high for the food provided; however, the sausage filled ravioli I had was flavored nicely. I think there's better Italian out there, but if you are in/near DTC, it's a reasonable choice.
(3)Tony S.
Don't let the swanky digs fool you. This place is just an Olive Garden on steroids. Not worth it at all. Sloppy food.
(1)Brandon W.
I am in town on business and found this restaurant on Yelp. It was within walking distance of my hotel, so I suggested it to my co-workers. Little did we know we were in for a glorious feast. The meal started with some great bread with crispy crusts and nice olive oil and vinegar for dipping. We ordered several appetizers, but I have to say my favorite was the calamari. I'm not even a big calamari fan, but these were done perfectly and included the legs, which turned off some on the table but I thought were equally delicious. I opted for the tagliaterri (sp?) bolognese. This is home-made pasta and sauce at its finest. Absolutely fantastic. I heard others enjoying their meals including ravioli and tube pasta with a basil sauce. Dessert might well have been the highlight. In addition to the usual tiramisu and creme brule (with a chocolate coating over the top for a nice twist), my co-workers raved about the peach sorbet with the fruit marinated in champagne. Perhaps the best dessert for me was the salted caramel ice cream. We were seated in an area just off the main dining area, which offered a quiet and cozy atmosphere. The service was absolutely top-notch. I wish I could remember her name, but she was a sweet older Italian lady who was impeccable. If anyone is a fan of Italian food and in the area, I highly recommend this place. Save room for dessert!
(5)Jerri W.
Best I've found down south. Full, robust flavors!
(5)Dan N.
I expected more. Very nice restaurant with a comfortable environment, perfect for a business lunch. Or so I thought. Il Fornaio rests comfortably in an upscale Greenwood Village strip mall, sharing space with Cool River Cafe and The Original Pancake House. They try to hit you over the head with "authenticity." Our waitstaff all have thick accents. There was initially a bit of confusion as one waiter asked for our drinks, then another waitress stopped by to ask the same. We had the Bruschetta (sp?) to start. Light fare, with chilled, diced tomatos, seasoned, heaped on small toast points with garlic. A nice beginning. Also delivered to the table was a sampling of bread with olive oil & balsamic vinegar mixed in. Main course was the Lasagna. Nice taste, but the inside of the dish was tepid... Rather disappointed with the entree. Next time, I will opt for a pasta dish that is prepared when ordered. I'll reserve judgment on a 4th star until I return.
(3)Crystal C.
I am not a big fan of Italian food already... it just too much carbs for me. So I am biased. I have been to this Il Fornaio two times already and it is really nothing memorable. I had a simple pasta the first time -- not enough protein and taste was kind of bleh. The second time was slightly better but I don't remember what I had. The service is also seriously lacking. Waiter not coming around enough. Having to wait forever to order. All in all, I don't want to come back unless I have to. Bleh.
(2)Mike G.
Carefully prepared with fresh and genuine ingredients served by attentive wait staff-what more do you want from a DTC area restaurant. I thought the fish entres were especially notable.
(4)Suzy B.
Italian and food me are usually not on the best of terms. It's often heavier than what I'm in the mood for. However I am a big fan of bread dipped in a dish of olive oil with a little dollop of balsamic vinegar and it's possible I could live on caesar salads. Perhaps that first sentence was a lie. Il Fornaio, I like them. They are extremely close to my house which usually gives a restaurant a star just by default cause when I'm hungry I do not like to wait. I find the atmosphere charming. It's a little loud but most Italian restaurants are. The service is spectacular. They always treat you well. They are kind to my child too. It's not exactly the sort of place you think of as child friendly but they have children's menus and they have never been anything but very gracious to our 5 year old. I would have loved to come here as a kid because their mac and cheese is to die for. I don't even like mac and cheese but I would order this as a meal for myself if I didn't think they would laugh at me. They also serve a very sweet (and fancy) scoop of vanilla with a cherry and chocolate and cookie (actually I believe it's a pizzelle but whatever) for kids. I've always found the food fresh tasting and delicious. I can always find something on the menu not terribly heavy (read: not drowned in cheese). It's a nice and relaxing place to enjoy a meal. The only reason I give them 4 stars instead of 5 is that I feel like it's a tad pricey for what it is. It doesn't stop me from going there, but it stops me from eating there as often as I might.
(4)Marissa J.
Great food, great atmosphere, amazing service !!! My family and I dine here all the time. The food and staff keep us coming back. The cocktail menu is also great in addition to the very extensive wine options.
(5)Dan C.
A great italian venue. Good food and a great selection of vino. A little pricey but had a good ambience.
(5)Prudence D.
Il Fornaio makes my very favorite meal in the entire world (or at least they used to). Their bread, salads, soups, and pasta dishes are all excellent. I absolutely love their Gnocchi Al Formaggi and would eat it every week if I could afford it. Desserts are great, though we did have a Creme Brulee with butane spilled on the top once. Not the best experience ever which is the only reason I didn't give five stars. This location isn't as amazing as their downtown restaurant was, but alas, the downtown loc has closed leaving an empty place in my heart.
(4)Gina C.
We celebrated my Mother's 70th birthday here the other night. We were given a private dining room and we loved it! Our server, CHAD, was amazing. He was patient, kind, funny and provided GREAT service. We will go back!
(5)Kendra R.
Meh. Nice atmosphere, friendly wait staff and mediocre food. The GF meal my date requested was not gluten free. Out of a group 10, no one was impressed by the food. There are much better Italian restaurants, and more affordable options, to enjoy. If some recommends Il Fornaio, make another suggestion.
(2)BJ E.
I'm slightly torn with this. The service was impeccable, our waiter Greg was extremely knowledgeable, broke down all the fancy sounding Italian ingredients into manageable english so we actually knew what we were ordering. The bread they serve must be continually baking, it was exceptional and better than any other Italian restaurant I've been to and the bruschetta was equally amazing. From their I wasn't overly impressed though. Both of our pasta dishes just seemed bland, mine had an almost overpowering mushroom flavor to it that decimated any and all other flavors. My dining partners dinner was equally uninspiring. I can't say that this is a representation of the whole menu, just my experience.
(3)Isibella A.
Il Fornaio is a taste sensation! I will admit that I have visited the Ill Fornaio here in Colorado and also it's sister restaurant in California. Despite being a chain Il Fornaio pulls off a uniqueness wherever it may be housed, the location here in Greenwhich village in no acception. High vaulted ceilings greet you as you enter along with incredibly friendly service from the staff. Both times I craved a very specific and delicious dish, the Conchiglie al Pollo is mouthwatering, composed of shell pasta, chicken breast, sundried tomatoes, pecorino cheese and roasted garlic with chicken. The Capellini al Pomodoro is also worth trying. I would highly encourage anyone to visit this restaurant, whether it is a family outing or a romantic intimate dinner, Ill fornaio provides the perfect backdrop for any occasion.
(5)Sara B.
This is what I would like to read when looking for a new restaurant to try...'not worth it' would be my statement to sum up this evenings dining experience at Il Fornaio. We live in the neighborhood and wanted an easy weeknight restaurant week reservation. Wednesday, 715pm reservation. Well, it was not at all what we wanted. We arrived hoping for a fabulous 5280 menu, however it was fine. We were greeted by the hostess telling us we will not be seated at the time we reserved. Mind you, I made this reservation 3 weeks earlier. We waited and watched in crowded waiting space as other frustrated people talked to the hostess as then about 10 minutes after our scheduled reservation we were seated...in the worst seats in the house. We were given a free drink/dessert coupon from the hostess for the wait for our table. Thanks. We were 1 table away from the back of the restaurant next to the restrooms. The experience gets worse. We were seated and waiting for over 30 minutes before our wine came. 10 minutes later our calamari arrived and was so cold we had to send it back. Calamari came back scorching hot-burned mouth and nearly 20 minutes went by with no salad course. My fiancée went to the manager as we were ready to leave at this point. Salads arrive and very very quickly the main course arrives from the managers hands. This is sad; but my ravioli was so cold I didn't want to eat it or complain about the temperature. The manager came over and he knew we were disappointed yet again and he sent back the ravioli to bring back a new piping hot plate. He watched as I tested it and approved. Our meal for 5280 was comped by the manager, but I kinda want the 2.3 hours of my life back. Not a neighborhood joint I ever want to go back to. I promise this is not coming from a person who complains often at restaurants, but come on...get the 5280 thing together.
(1)Sarah G.
Walking into II Fornaio the first thing I could smell was the food, and somehow even though I was experiencing altitude sickness (nauseousness) the food still was unexpectedly flattering to my senses. Proceeding through absorbing the setting, tone and overall decor of the restaurant which was cohesively collaborated with the holiday season warm, hospitable, and joyful. The lighting wasn't too dimly lit where you couldn't take pictures of the food then again it was day light. =D We were greeted by the host then given a choice as to where we desired to sit. We chose a booth that had the standard table setting with a white table cloth which had been set for 4 but immediately reduced to 2, we were handed our menus and he kindly wished us a fine dine and exited. Not to long later we were approached by another waiter in an all white chef outfit (not the chef) no hat IDK what it's called but yeah, there was a difference about this waiter even though he was just taking our drink orders, he showed a light exuberance one that showed he enjoyed his job, he wasn't a robot, he wasn't inexperienced, he had life and was confident with talking to us and taking our order (he practically knew what I was gonna order within the first pronunciation of it) which is a plus when dining especially while not feeling well. He then returned with bread and our drink orders, a little disappointed they didn't have any olive oil with the spiced herbs at the bottom to dip the bread in. If you've been to any great Italian that's what they'll give you. Or a really great Italian where they do it for you and it looks pretty too anyway, at the end of the day I asked for it and got what I wanted. Lol. Nothing really big to complain about. While waiting for our food I rounded about the restaurant taking pictures and the employees were glad to smile for them as I did let them know "Hey, I'm yelping mofo. SMIIILLLE!" lol. When the Cappelacci di Zucca and Free-Range Chicken Canneloni came out on a bubbling hot plate about 30 min later filling my nose with such an aroma my mouth was watering, I almost forgot to take a picture before I dug in. Fresh parmesan was sprinkled lightly on the top as requested. I dug in and immediately I knew that the pasta was freshly made the sauce was sparse but it was set so nicely into the pasta it didn't matter. The presentation of the dish was clean and looked ultimately easy to devour. All in all the quality was above average, the food was on satisfying medium-sized dishes, and the taste wasn't too complicated, pretty simple and organic tasting also! I don't eat meat but for all the meat eaters out there all the meat dishes are certified leaf organic. We weren't helped much during our meal but the waiter did check on us. I think he was just letting us enjoy our meal which I did. I had left overs and the waiter took my plate before asking for it to go and packed it in an aluminum deep dish to go box loved that! So fancy looking. Made my food feel special cradling it in the appropriate storage. Anyway, I left the restaurant with a complimentary calendar in my hand, altitude sickness gone, satisfied and still have left overs to enjoy it all again accept in my hotel room. QUICK TIP: They have cooking classes too!!!!
(4)Sarah M.
I am in love with Il Fornaio! Anytime my husband needs brownie points or we have a birthday or anniversary to celebrate, we try to come here! Delicious food always, great atmosphere, decent waiters, and always a romantic time. Some snobby people because of its location but they are easily ignored when focusing on my delicious plate or my darling husband!
(5)Jeremy Y.
Just took the wifey here for Valentine's Day. Nice atmosphere for a relatively big restaurant. A bit noisy, but nothing too difficult for conversation. Food was good. I had a veal & mushroom sauce dealio, and my wife had a dish of their home made squash ravioli. We both liked the other's dish better, naturally. The bread is fantastic, as they put a lot of emphasis on their bakery side. They actually had people yelling at each other in Italian in the kitchen, so it definitely had a more authentic feel than most Italian chains. Bottom line: Solid Italian fare. A step up, up and away from the somewhat tired Maggiano's type setup. A little less gigantic McItalian feel, and a little more intimate. Didn't feel like a chain restaurant.
(4)Kalpa S.
This is one my FAV italian restaurants!! my husband and I go here often. He loves the calamari fritters. I've tried every vegetarian option on the menu, and loved 'em all (yes that's possible) For appetizers, definitely try the polenta gorgonzola. This is really good (yes, even the carnivores love it too ;)) Their butternut squash ravioli is like plate of stuffed love. Hubby thinks their chicken is really moist, my friend loves the braised lamb. Their vodka cream sauce is velvet goodness. Dessert is a must order. I have tried all their desserts, and the tiramisu is DA BEST! If you're in the DTC area, and haven't tried Ilfornaio you're missing something!
(5)peter s.
Extremely suburban and very 'Meh'. Edible sure, but you can do better.
(2)Stan P.
Okay food, craptacular management, good service. If you are making a reservation make sure you ask for Allie.
(1)Cathy K.
Attended the Coppola Wine Dinner last night....Wine was excellent and food was terrific! I would highly recommend taking advantage of their wine dinners if you see them advertised in the future! Great value too!
(5)Ron E.
Amazing how a party of 8 can pay 50 bucks apiece for various pasta entrees that all looked and tasted the same: bland and uninteresting. Oh yeah, we each had one glass of okay wine and a cloying dessert. And did I mention the room was so dark the waiter had to slide floor lamps closer to the table so we could see? At least he was pleasant and attentive. Yuck.
(1)Alfredo G.
I'll have to disagree with John O. I do think the food, service, and aesthetics are good, but not for the price. I've been to a few Il Fornaio restaurants, including this one, and each time I've had better at the same or lower price. However, I'd consider this a "safety" restaurant. It's consistent enough and good enough that it might be worth overpaying in cases where you need a nice looking restaurant for certain occasions, such as business meetings or even a date. My fiance and many of my coworkers agree with me but my soon to be sister-in-law is crazy about Il Fornaio.
(3)Heather M.
Adore the cous cous, raisin and steak salad here!
(4)Ann M.
Our favorite Italian in south Denver. Specials are amazing and we are always able to customize with the chef. Pizza and flat bread is very good as well. Service is excellent.
(5)Carole B.
My family (6 adults) went to Il Fornaio for Christmas eve dinner. While the food was good, the service left much to be desired. We had 2 servers (tag team) for our table. It took the first server about 20 minutes to bring us 2 bottles of wine. Once the wine was poured, the other server took our orders. It then took upwards of an hour for us to get our entrees. We were too full to consider dessert so we asked for the bill. After another 15 minutes of waiting for them to take our credit cards, I hinted that we should just get up and pretend to leave (hey, gotta get their attention somehow). I'll add that it wasn't even busy that night. So 2 stars for this experience.
(2)D'Anne G.
The service started out great, but deteriorated during the course of our meal. We waited over 20 minutes to be asked about dessert once we were done with the main course. I think that like many restaurants I've been to recently for dinner that they are understaffed. In addition, I ordered the lasagna, which you would think would be good in an Italian restaurant. The whole entree was tasteless and the noodles were soggy. I should have sent it back, but didn't feel like having to wait another 20 minutes for a new dish.
(2)Clark H.
Great place for a solid Italian meal. The wine pours are generous and the price is right. I've been here 3 times and haven't been disappointed.
(4)Seth J.
Had dinner here on New Year's Eve for the second year in a row. Beautiful, nice atmosphere, delicious food. We had a funny Mexican server who was pretending to be an Italian. Great service. Good location: easy access and parking. Good place to go with a group of friends or family you can actually hear each other. No shouting needed.
(4)Lon W.
We've eaten at Il Fornaio a dozen times in the last few years. I've always been happy with the quality of the food. Service generally has been above average. I think you get a fair deal, value-wise, for the money. It can be a bit loud, so it might not be a great choice for a business event where you need to discuss things... but otherwise it's a reliable choice. Try out the happy hour deals for a great value.
(4)Jordan A.
Their pizza Christina is like crack. How can you go wrong with mushrooms, prosciutto, and truffle oil? My husband and I split the pizza and fill up on bread if we're still hungry. I couldn't care less about anything else on their menu. Though their gnocchi are supposedly good or something. The service is arrogant and likes to dilly dally. I've experienced it in all their other locations also, so lack of emphasis on training must be a corporate thing. Oh well, I treat them as a pizzeria joint, so it's not that important to me.
(3)Chelsea M.
My husband and I went here last night with my in-laws. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, but the service left something to be desired. We waited a really long time for our wine and appetizer to start. We then ordered a bottle of wine, of which they were "all out." When we ordered our meals, the were also "all out" of the meal that both my husband and father-in-law ordered. Would have been nice to have a heads up before we spent time looking over the menu. The wait for our dinner was ridiculous, and there was no apology from our waiter. The restaurant wasn't even that busy- it was a Sunday night. When it finally arrived, it was mediocre at best. I had the squash ravioli, which completely lacked any flavor. We ordered coffees with our dessert and the dessert arrived before the coffee, and when we asked about it, it was obvious that the waiter had entirely forgotten. We actually heard him swear under his breath as he walked away- then heard the espresso machine start up. Two of the coffees had spilled coffee all down the sides of the cup and onto the saucers. Overall, we were disappointed. The atmosphere is lovely, but certainly don't go if you have anywhere to be after dinner, or if you are really hungry. You'll be waiting for a long time!
(2)Maria B.
great service, great menu, great location, very romantic restaurant
(5)Dawn B.
Had a wonderful dinner out on the patio. Food was very good. Service a *bit* slow, but overall, a wonderful evening! The bread is outstanding - get some to go!
(4)Amanda D.
Great service and excellent food and wine! I went here last night for a menu tasting and the staff were very friendly and informative about the menu items. And they all pronounced the Italian dishes so well that I felt like I was in Italy! I think this would be a great place for date night or a celebration dinner.
(4)Scott W.
Il Fornaio is one of the best Italian restaurants in Denver. Located in the Denver Tech Center, it is a favorite of many that want a great lunch without having to drive downtown. The bread is baked in the restaurant and is great. (Easy to eat too much!) My favorite is Conchiglio al Pollo, but all the pastas are quite good. You can decide how heavy your meal will be. When they offer it, have their barley soup. It is fantastic. Go early for lunch or have reservations. For dinner, always have reservations.
(5)Suesan A.
The service was worst I have ever seen, talkative staff, food arrived for some of us 30 minutes apart, then it took 25 minutes to get Coffee, even something as simple as coffee and tea, the man forgot the tea. food quality was just BAD, Lasagna was frozen inside and burning plate on the out side. I will not go here unless I see better reviews.
(1)Dorothy N.
Thursday's service was pathetic. I felt like we were peasants in an high end country club. Really!
(1)CL S.
I won a gift certificate to this restaurant. While the restaurant was nice with friendly staff, I was not impressed with the food; I feel like I could have made something better at home. But, it was free, and I got to try a new restaurant. The Caesar salad was nothing special. The dressing was thick and did not have a strong flavor. The different cheeses on the salad were the best part and were what added flavor. The lettuce was fresh, but not served crisp or chilled. I thought that this salad was overpriced. The calzone was average. The ham and cheeses were good quality, but the tomato sauce wasn't very flavorful, and overall, the calzone needed some more seasonings. The dough was good; it was a more thin calzone, so I liked that it was not as heavy. I did not think the food from this restaurant was anything extraordinary. I'm glad that I used a gift card because I would have been bummed otherwise! If you're looking for a chain Italian restaurant, Maggiano's is way better. Otherwise, I'd say check out a local Italian place (like Pasquini's).
(2)A X.
This place is a semi-upscale italian chain restaurant. Think Cheese Cake Factory meets Maggiano's. It's just OK, nothing special.
(3)Dana M.
When I went it was very very empty. The food was wonderful. They make the most awesome margarita pizza. Not a fan of the accented staff. Overall it wasn't what I was expecting. It feels a lot fancier than it should. My boyfriend ordered the bolognese which he really liked too. They have generous portions.
(4)John O.
i think this is one of the best restaurants for the price i've been to in a while. wow. i was bordering on 4 stars, because i almost never give 5 star reviews, but this place was very nice. Since I had never been here before, we were given a "special" table and told were would be given a free appetizer and dessert......SWEET! my friend didn't drink wine, so i ordered wine by the glass (suit yourself!) the wine was i think a house wine, but very good. we were given bread and bruschetta as the appetizer. very fresh, from the tomato to basil to olive oil, etc. the main courses came, i ordered a chicken with pasta dish and my companion ordered raviolis. DELISH. piping hot off the stove, fresh, juicy, wow! i wish they had one of these were i live in long beach. i thought the prices were very reasonable for the portion of food you get and everything delivered to the other tables looked delicious as well. all the waiters wear white coats, and i thought the service was very good. for dessert we had the tiramisu and chocolate something or other (FREE). WOW. the dessert was amazing. i would definitely order next time i go. would i come here on my own dime? you bet. great decor, nice place, nice service. no complaints. go here if you're ever at the denver tech center. !
(5)Tracy A.
Wow, this place has gone downhill. Took in-laws for a special night out. Service was great, as usual, and the place is beautiful. But our food was either too salty (pasta dishes) or too sweet (sauces on chicken dishes). And our dessert -- a chocolate cake with a "truffle" inside -- was inedible. The "truffle" tasted like bad medicine (not kidding).
(3)Nabeel A.
Il Fornaio was a familiar territory because I have had a few amazing lunches and dinners there, though not at this location but in Virginia where I live. Walking into this particular location in Denver was a refreshing experience. Our waitress was super friendly and all smiles. The food was delicious and I walked out with the same familiarity as I walked in with. The bread is amazing and they make it fresh everyday. If you havent been here, give them a try, you will be happy you did.
(4)Katelyn S.
This restaraunt is a great Italian place! I have a soy and gluten allergy and they are very accommodating. They have a gluten free menu and there is no soy in anything (except a few dessert items). The entire staff is attentive and friendly. My favorite server is Matt M, he is hilarious and so helpful! I highly recommend this place! They have the best gluten free pasta!
(5)Michelle S.
My husband and I come back to Il Fornaio for dinner again and again, and usually bring visiting friends or employees with us. In addition to the food being consistently terrific, the service is ALWAYS awesome. We are checked on by manager at least once (usually twice) and every server we've had is very attentive. I really enjoy the authenticity of the menu, and the special menus they rotate throughout the year, which are based on different regions of Italy. They provide a history of the region and the food there, and then offer multiple courses (which you can order as a "Taste of..." for a great price) from that region. They also have a passport you can get to memorialize ordering from each region. Keep up the great service and food, Il Fornaio -- we'll see you again soon!
(5)Hanh P.
Il Fornaio would get a 5 star from me, if it wasn't for the several times I've been here at lunch and had to wait 45 minutes for my food to come out. This is a big problem... because in the DTC, you need to have quick lunch meetings and haul back to work. It's never busy at lunch, so I'm not sure why there is such a long wait. The server never comes to inform us of why it's taking so long. I've honestly had to inhale my food. As for food... exquisite authentic Italian. I know this is a franchise, but it's still very authentic. The price is to be expected for well made Italian. Great happy hour pizza and wine. I have never had anything I didn't like here. The dinner menu is fantastic. You can always ask the server for advice if you need. I like that they give you cloth napkins even for lunch. My favs on the recent menu: carpaccio, calamari (this is not "typical" calamari), linguine mare chiaro (seafood linguini), grigliata di pesce misto. Overall, you'll have a great dining experience, might want to tell them to rush on lunch if you have to run. I love the ambience, it's quiet, romantic, classy Italian. The patio is very cute also. They also have several small rooms for private parties and meetings.
(4)Kristin M.
Prices here have gone up in the past few years (as many restaurants have), but service and food quality have been adjusted more than accordingly. If you are looking for authentic Italian food and five star service, look no further. The menu offers a good variety of salads, italian-style pizzas, unique pastas, items from the grill (rotisserie chicken, seafood, beef), and classics (lasagna, canneloni). Our lunch was fantastic. I tried the new CALMARATA CON PESTO ALLA PUGLIESE, which is large ring pasta with pesto, oven roasted tomatoes, buratta cheese and pine nuts. One word: heavenly. All my favorite ingredients in one dish. And why did I never think of putting burrata on pasta (it's usually found atop salads)? Brilliant and delicious. The others in my party had the INSALATA CESARINA (caesar salad) and FRADIVOLA PIZZA (mozzarella, italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, red onions, & spicy peperoncino oil. Both were very pleased with their meals. Caesar salad perfectly dressed and had a good balance of anchovy, not overly done as in the past. My other guest that had the pizza noted that this was one of the tastiest pizzas he's ever had. Cooked to perfection (crispy but not burnt) and an amazing blend of flavors. He is sold on Italian pizzas for life now. Hurrah, another one converted! :) All time favorite dishes include: RUSTICHELLA (a pizza-like appetizer with goat cheese, mozzarella, tomatoes, red onions, & kalamata olives), INSALATA DI BIETOLE (beet salad), and CAPPELACCI DI ZUCCA (butternut squash ravioli). And, of course, don't leave without having a piece of homemade TIRAMISU. The managers have really turned this place around. Service was much more friendly and attentive. Overall, everyone seems more happy. And I also noticed that the restaurant also is much cleaner than in the past - from the restrooms to the side stations and everywhere in between.
(5)Chris C.
The food was excellent, and the service was phenomenal. Our waiter Jessie helped my group of 9 decide on meals which everybody loved, and the dessert was absolutely wonderful. The pizza I had was great, and the steak was so delicious with this savory glaze. I never get tired of coming here.
(5)Stephanie M.
If you're looking for great ambiance, service, wine and Italian food, go here. The butternut squash is flawless.
(5)Connie W.
I usually celebrate my anniversary at Il Fornaio and the one here is on par with all of the others.
(3)Garrett h.
I went twice in three days. First of all, I wasn't expecting much, as I'd been to a couple Il Fornaio in other cities and was underwhelmed. But the wine choices here were excellent and well-kept, meaning they hadn't turned to vinegar. My modest ravioli supper the first night was good and interesting enough to return with a small group of 4 on a final night of our audio show at the Denver Marriott. Well, it was spectacularly good. Our waiter, a Nicaraguan, was very helpful, attentive, and informed. He steered us to the specials, which featured a 3-course Umbrian style meal for $39 that was outstanding. We also ordered appetizers which were excellent. Finally, the wine I chose, a Barbaresco, was out of stock, so our waiter recommended a Dolcetta d' Alba that turned out to be splendid too, with a silkier finish though somewhat darker and less complex. But the meal was spectacularly good. Three of us had the Umbrian 3-course--salciccia in lentils (very spicy), risotto, then rack of lamb. Fabuloso! One of us had dietary restrictions and our waiter and the chef worked wonders around his limitations, not only substituting, but producing dishes that were as well thought-out and complex as what was standard. Highly recommended.
(4)Jake L.
The thing I like about this place is that it tries very hard to be authentic Italian. There are dishes that you don't normally see on other Italian menus. Also, they frequently have special menus dedicated to one specific region in Italy. Generally this lasts for a couple of weeks. I can't say whether or not they have homemade pasta, but the food is great. The wine list is extensive and the service is classy. I highly recommend sitting outside in the summer on their patio. Start with the calamari as an appetizer. It's very tender and has a little bit of a bite to it. There's always a good risotto on the menu. Personally, I would skip dessert and just have a digestif, but that's me, and I'm not impressed with their dessert selections.
(4)nate s.
Very good,love the pizza there its a good place for authentic itailian food
(4)Haley M.
The hubby and I were looking forward to a nice dinner at Il Fornaio. We left feeling underwhelmed. First, the hostess was not the friendliest - when I said we had reservations for a later time but wanted to have a few drinks on the patio prior to eating she snapped back with "those are dining tables." Left me feeling a little uncomfortable but maybe I should've been clearer - we were going to dine after we had a few drinks. After we were seated, a bus boy brought us some yummy bread and asked if we'd like olive oil and balsamic. I asked him to hold off on the balsamic and requested fresh parm instead. Either he was confused or didn't like my request - we never got the parmesan. It took a good bit of time for me to get a second glass of wine after I asked for it. We shared a caesar salad which was alright. For the entrees, we got the Bolognese and the Lucana ravioli. Again, they were just ok. Not sure that we'll be back.
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