An escape to rustic Italy… even if it’s only for the night. Nestled in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, Spuntino offers a dining experience second to none. Quaint, yet full of ambiance and character, you walk in and quickly wish you would have brushed up on your Italian.

2011 was the start of something sweet and new when Spuntino opened its doors as a gelato shop and daytime café. A previous owner installed the gelato machine and when life hands you lemons…you make lemon gelato.
The current owners, Chef Cindhura Reddy (James Beard Award semi-finalist) and GM Elliot Strathmann took over the restaurant in 2014. They continued with the vision of creating a closely connected staff, scratch-made Italian dishes, and a “Sunday dinner with your family feeling” for every customer. It makes sense why diners have claimed Spuntino as one of their restaurant staples.
Intimately dine within the rustic feel of the space while watching the chef through the open kitchen prepare dishes you wish you had ordered. Take a seat at the bar and watch as the bartenders pour from an award-winning wine selection. And if you’re lucky enough to dine at the front table you’ll enjoy your dinner under twinkling lights as you watch people stroll by.

Not only was the ambience spectacular and the food delectable… the service was outstanding. Pro Tip::: Request to sit in Matthew’s section. I came for dinner and I left having an experience that all the sudden made me feel as if I could become a food blogger… hence why you are reading this now. But seriously, the way Matthew described each dish, offered suggestions on what to order, knew exactly what wine to serve me (I can be a wine snob) and even told us about the local farmers, whom he knew by name, that supply fresh ingredients for the restaurant. Now THAT is dedication and encompasses the family feel the owners are committed to providing.

We capped off the night with “one of the best espresso martinis in the city” according to Matthew, and I have to say I agree. As the experience was coming to an end, there was a piece of fresh bread still sitting on the table and my boyfriend and I joked that we did not want to pay 10 cents for a doggie bag, so he stuffed the bread in his shirt pocket… it was that good, y’all.

Spuntino is definitely my new go-to and a place I will happily recommend to other foodies and to anyone missing the feeling of home.
Looking for more Mile High City recommendations? Shoot me an email or check out my website for a local guide to Denver, Colorado.
katie.bates@compass.com // www.sellingcolorfulcolorado.com
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