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| Calamari with a twist |
Cucina Colore, located in the heart of Cherry Creek, serves contemporary Italian cuisine. It is a bright, cheerful place with a wood burning-pizza oven and an open kitchen, which seems to be more popular these days. It has been there since 1994 and is getting busier by day. It is the perfect spot to have a drink with friends or have a romantic dinner date with a special someone. There is a patio that has eight to nine tables and can accommodate around eighteen to twenty people. On a beautiful summer day, I recommend getting a table outside where you can enjoy your food and people watch. The friendly and helpful staff makes the time there more pleasant. I love the fact that they are knowledgeable and not pushy. They make good suggestions and let you come to a decision. Nothing is shoved down your throat.
My friend Liz and I went there for dinner on a Monday evening. We did not have a reservation but were seated immediately, since there were no other guests waiting. The waitress came up to our table right away, and after introducing herself and going over the specials offered drinks to start our evening with. I like to try house wine everywhere I go; and I was surprised to find out that they did not offer house wine, so instead we both went with Pinot Grigio priced at $7.00 for a six-ounce glass. Megan, our waitress, also brought some bread accompanied with olive oil and spice mixture. The bread was soft and delicious, and the olive oil had just the right amount of salt and seasoning. It is definitely a healthier choice than bread and butter.
We started with the Fried Calamari which was perfectly cooked. The creamy sauce, garnishing the plate, was the perfect dip for the fried goodness. The Calamari costs $12.00 and is a bit overpriced for the amount of food you are getting. For our main course, we decided to share the Primavera Pizza. It has artichoke hearts, asparagus, basil pesto, and fontina; some of our favorite ingredients. Pizzas range from $15.00 to $17.00 and for additional $4.00 you can get a gluten- free crust. The pizza comes in one size, which is twelve inches.
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| Primavera Pizza |
I have dined at this restaurant several times before and have tried a number of their pizzas, all of which, I can say, tasted and looked flawless. I assume that the wood-fired oven plays an important role in the taste. We asked the server to bring the pizza after the appetizer was finished. We took our time with the calamari, talking about work and life, and when it was time for the entrée, we were left disappointed, although we tried hard not to show it. They made a huge mistake by leaving the delicious pizza in the oven for too long to keep it hot. And since the crust was so thin, it got overcooked to such an extent, that I thought I was eating dry toast. Liz assured me that, although it was a little too crispy, it was still delicious. Nobody’s perfect, therefore, I am willing to let this one slide.
Liz already knew that we had to have the dessert. Whenever I come to Cucina, I seem to rush through my food so I can get to the dessert. Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, you must try the Peach Bread Pudding. The bread pudding is served warm on a bed of sweet caramel sauce and is topped with home-made whipped cream. To make it more colorful and mouthwatering, there are fresh strawberries and blackberries neatly placed in the sauce. It costs $6.00 and is big enough to share with a special someone. Even if you don’t like Italian food, I urge you to visit this restaurant for the Peach Bread Pudding alone.
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| The Peach Bread Pudding |
Overall, our experience was delightful. I have never had issues with the service, and this time was no exception. Although the pizza was not cooked to perfection, it did not hinder my experience. I always enjoy the food and the cozy atmosphere, whether I am there for lunch or dinner. Next time you are in Cherry Creek, stop by this modern restaurant and enjoy delicious Italian food they have to offer.
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