Review: Cucino Colore in Denver Puts Contemporary Spin on Italian Cuisine

Cucina Colore is an Italian restaurant in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. It would best be described as an Italian restaurant with a contemporary décor and feel. The restaurant offers patio seating which is a wonderful option for a nice summer evening. The restaurant has several featured items available. A favorite is the Pan Seared Chicken. It is served with Evoo smashed fingerling potatoes, Broccoli Rabe, with a toasted garlic broth. The chicken is cooked to perfection and whatever spices are used to enhance the flavor are just right to be used with foul. Another person in our party decided to try the Herb Roasted Salmon, as she doesn't like chicken, and doesn't eat pork or red meat. The salmon was prepared just right. It was not overcooked, which happens with many salmon dishes.

In the area of drinks this restaurant has an extensive wine list. This was surprising for a more contemporary establishment. However, the wines available vary from your basic Chardonnay to Rieslings to some of the lesser known wines like Trebbianos, Corteses, and Pinot Bianco.

For vegetarians that chose to dine at Cucina Colore, there are several options. Believe it or not there is more available than just salads. Though the salads are quite tasty, other options include the Margherita Wood-Fired Pizza. For the pasta eater there is Fusilli Bucati Arrabiata, which is a spicy San Marzano tomato with Kalmata Olives and Ricotta Salata. Another wonderful dish is the Linguine served with a fresh tomato basil, pesto cream sauce, and toasted pine nuts. There is also the Penne Telefono with fried eggplant, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato, and basil. One of their signature vegetarian dishes is the Pastaless Lasagna. This dish is a layered mixture of breaded eggplant, spinach, ricotta cheese, smoked mozzarella, and plum tomatoes. This is a dish that even those that eat meat can truly sink their teeth into and enjoy.

The lunch menu's prices range from $3-$10 for starters (appetizers), $4-$13 for salads, and $10-$15 for entrees. The dinner menu's prices range from $3-$12 for starters (appetizers), $11-$28 for entrees, $7-$11 for salads, and $6.50 for all desserts on the menu.

Take out food is available. On a weekend night, without a reservation a party of four is looking at a wait time of about 30-45 minutes. For the kiddies, this really wouldn't be a place to take them. Nothing says that you can't. However, this is more of an adult-type eatery and many like the idea of not having the kiddos around while eating their meals.

The restaurant is located at 3041 East 3rd Ave., Cherry Creek North, Denver, Colorado 80206. Their phone number is 303.393.6917. Restaurant hours for lunch are Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am - 3:00pm. For dinner the restaurant hours are Monday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm. This establishment offers free parking and they take reservations through the Open Table website. However, reservations are not required. The dress code is business casual.

All in all this is a very good choice for an Italian restaurant that is outside of the norm. With its unique design and exquisite fare, one would love to return to Cucina Colore and the "mile high city" for a return visit.