Barolo Grill
$$$$ | Cherry Creek
This restaurant looks like a chic Italian farmhouse, with dried flowers in brass urns, hand-painted porcelain, and straw baskets everywhere. The food isn't pretentious in the least, however; it's more like Santa Monica meets San Stefano—bold yet classic, healthy yet flavorful. Duck braised with red wine; fresh pastas, including veal-stuffed agnolotti; and risotto with mixed wild mushrooms are all well made and fairly priced. The reasonably priced four-course tasting menu is the only option on Friday and Saturday, but it is a smart way to sample more of the kitchen's talents; adding the wine pairings ups the cost, but it improves the value. On weekdays, the à la carte menu is available on request, in addition to the prix-fixe menu.
