The first time we went to La Dolce Vita, I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going to like it. After trying different Italian restaurants from Boulder to Grand Junction, they were always missing "something". Either the sauce wasn't right, the service was too stuffy, the place had no ambiance, the bread tasted like cardboard . . . and on and on.
My search ended when we visited La Dolce Vita. I've tasted better Italian in my life, but not in Colorado, and not often. They had pasta e fagoli and bracoli, linguine with clam sauce that had real clams, and no pasty, heavy cream sauce to hide them.
The owner actually came to our table and thanked us for being there! Servers actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was music and laughter and nobody rushing you to leave.
I felt so at home I wanted to pitch a tent in the parking lot. Thanks, Ignazio...because of you, your restaurant and your staff, this New Yorker has finally (after 15 years) found that missing "something."
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