Luca D'Italia

After an amazing experience one week before at Mizuna we decided to try Luca D'Italia. When booking there was only a 9pm reservation which we accepted (same time we ate at Mizuna). The food was good, well presented and the service initially was excellent. Halfway through dinner we realized we would be the last table in the restaurant and noticed our service started to decline. Our server, though very knowledgeable, seemed tired and primarily focused on closing the evening. The staff congregated around the bar waiting for us to finish. When were done and walking out the door, someone actually cheered that we were leaving. When you spend $250.00 on dinner for two you expect more. We won't be returning.

If I could give no stars I would...Overall it was a much hyped about meal that left a horrible last in our mouths.

Pros:
Sommelier - he was wonderful and the wine he recommended was fabulous
Hostess  - kind, inviting and helpful

Cons:
Marginal food - nothing to write home about; food arrived at our table cold
Waitstaff was atrocious -  we waited nearly an hour for someone to come to our table and offer anything (water, bread, etc).  They never arrived, we had to flag another waitress down. When our waiter finally came begrudgingly to our table, he did not welcome us and only touched on the prix fixed meal, nothing else on the menu. With the prices, we were expected to pay, I expected a little flourish about the menu items - when pressed, he was short and unfriendly.

After we ordered, we barley saw him again. When he arrived for nearly the second time that evening with the dessert menu. He never checked on our food - if he had, he would have learned that our meals came out cold,  nor did he ever fill our water glasses. It was apparent that his attitude progressive got worse throughout the evening.

Overall, I will never return and caution others to do the same. It was special evening and all of us (there were four) were disappointed. We have had the opportunity to dine at many places and so dissatisfied with a meal or dining experience.

Chef Bonanno always seems to knock it out of the park at his restaurants and Luca is no exception.  I went with a group for a birthday, and the birthday girl used to work for the Bonanno empire and was friends with our server.  So needless to say we got the royal treatment and hooked up, big times.
We shared plate after plate and everything was delicious and inspired.  Fresh pasta, a wonderful appetizer that was a play on the flavors of an everything bagel, risotto with sea urchin, and too many to remember.  For my entree I had the scallops which was of course amazing.  The service there is impeccable as well.  The bill may set you back a bit, but it is definitely worth every penny.  It was easily the best meal I've had in Denver and definitely the perfect place to splurge on a romantic dinner.