When you live in a fairly small place like Castle Rock, it is easy to forget that size alone does not make up culture and sophistication.
Because Douglas County is so new and affluent, people from all over America (and the world) have moved here. It is pretty amazing what you can find here in a restaurant.
You can even go to the Big Apple. Just travel to La Dolce Vita in Castle Pines North. (Exit 186 of I-25) It is an authentic Italian New York-style restaurant like the great eateries found in the New York metro area. Damon Runyon became famous writing stories about this New York world with Guys and Dolls and other great tales.
To pull off making a Runyonesque place, you need great service, great food and it helps to have a gorgeous doll belting out "My kind of Town" as she serenades the whole joint. That's La Dolce Vita. Vita's owner, Sicilian born Ignazio Mulei, has had a number of restaurants over the years, both here and in the Big Apple. He has simply nailed it this time with La Dolce Vita.
Chef Ken Benton studied at the Universita di Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo, Piedmont Dist., Italy before coming aboard at La Dolce Vita. He made us Veal Marsala and Piatto di Mare when we visited. For a streaming video of Chef Benton making his signature Veal Marsala and Piatto di Mare, go to www.signaturedishesofcolorado.com. His formal training, including graduating from the Cook Street School of Fine Cooking, definitely has paid off for him and for La Dolce Vita as well.
If you want to go to Frank Sinatra's New York and still be in our community, you should go to La Dolce Vita. You don't need a subway token, just your car.
more