Find of the Month - May 2010
 

Prima
Teatro Hotel,
1106 14th St.
Denver, 80202
303-228-0770

Prima, the Italian restaurant of Kevin Taylor, is located in the Hotel Teatro. It is the less formal of his restaurants here and is open for all meals. The décor is terrific with a copper wash over pale-yellow paint, which gives great color to the textured walls. Black wood tables with chairs covered in chocolate-colored leather, blown-glass sconces, and modern lighting from the ceiling brighten the long room. The beautiful black granite bar remains the focal point while the balcony section offers more tables for dining, comfortably spaced for ease of conversation. The menu is modern Italian and features great foccacia, homemade pasta and very special desserts. Start with frito misto of calamari, shrimp and scallops with spicy tomato sauce, mussels, a salumi plate, duck crostini, and blue crab and pancetta cake. The Caesar is one of the tops anywhere or try the asparagus with speck salad. Wild mushroom soup with ruffled ricotta and squash bisque bring marvelous soups. For pastas, the homemade tagliatelle with braised veal ragu, spaghetti with tomatoes, a short rib ravioli, gnocchi, or the amazing soft egg filled ravioli with parmesan and truffle butter. Entrées include striped bass with artichokes, crispy red snapper, rare ahi tuna, and grilled salmon with gorgonzola mash. The fennel and chili marinated brick chicken with Yukon golds and haricot vert, garlic roasted pork loin with Tuscan fries, game hen, and strip make decisions impossible. Lunch includes panini and several salads. The tuna with hard-boiled egg and tapenade on toasted bread, the burger, and the grilled chicken salad with Caesar dressing are wonderful dishes. End with decadent desserts such as bittersweet chocolate hazelnut mousse with white chocolate sauce, nougat semifreddo, pine nut cake and milk chocolate sauce, cheesecake, and heavenly tiramisu. The wine list is excellent and service perfect. Close to the DCPA, this is a perfect choice before or after the theater. Spend the night at the incredible Hotel Teatro after an evening at Prima.