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Gaetano's Restaurant

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3760 Tejon St. Denver CO 80211

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  • Italian, Pizza
    Mon-Thu 11pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 24 Hours
    $$ $$
    All Major Credit Cards, cash, ATM/Debit
  • Casual
    Kid Friendly, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Smoking, Takeout, Vegetarian Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible
    Dinner, Lunch
    Full bar
  • Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties
    Free, Lot Available
Description

Gaetano’s has a very colorful past. The Smaldone family founded the Italian-American restaurant in 1947, serving homemade pasta and meatballs doused in red sauce in the dining room while book-making and other less savory operations went on behind closed doors – which explained the bulletproof glass in the front of the joint. Ultimately, the family discontinued that portion of their operations, then sold Gaetano’s altogether to the Wynkoop Group, which, nearly a decade later and now partnered with Breckenridge Brewery, undertook a major renovation, knocking down walls and revamping the menu. When the changes were unveiled in the summer of 2012, they came as a shock to generations of north Denverites – but the new interior was actually a pleasant surprise, with big windows (not bulletproof) and comfortable booths by the bar. The menu updates were less successful. When in doubt, go with dishes flavored by the old-school Gaetano’s, including meatballs (offered both as an app and a side), lasagna and gnocchi. And for an offer that you – and the kitchen – really can’t refuse? Ask for the on-request-only pasta topped with sausage, green peppers and a very traditional red sauce.








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  • jan80123
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | Littleton, CO | 2 Reviews

    A friend and I ate at Gaetano's on Friday, December 21. The service was great. The food was middling to good. Our waitress graciously suggested that we share the whole-leaf Caesar salad, and half a salad was plenty. I ordered the eggplant, which turned out to be merely the glue that held together two sides of the somewhat oil-laden breading. The accompanying side of pasta was ordinary. No cheese was offered. I won't be ordering the eggplant again. The tiramisu was delicious and plenty for two people, despite the fact that is was light and airy. Disappointingly, the restaurant only offers three wines by the glass - a white blend from IMT and a red from IMT, and a prosecco. The selection of wines by the bottle was broad and reasonably priced, but it made no sense to order a bottle when one of us wanted white and the other wanted red.

    The noise level was off the charts, and grew worse when a group decided to wait for a table (the waiting area is inadequate and they drifted up the aisle close to our table). One of the party was braying like an ass, having apparently partaken liberally of pre-dinner drinks elsewhere. I was disappointed that the management did not ask her to lower her voice, because she was obviously bothering more than just me.

    I'll give Gaetano's another try, but I hope that the chef steps up the level of the pasta offerings. I also won't go on a Friday or Saturday night, due to the noise level.

  • tannaruzicka
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | Denver, CO | 307 Reviews

    Get their meatballs. They are to die for!

  • JaclynA
           (0)    (0) Flag

    | Los Angeles, CA | 73 Reviews

    To wash down those amazing calzones or shrimp scampi, you must order the Nero D'avola- it is a delicious Sicilian Red, honestly one of my favorite wines ever.

  • Loading More User Reviews
  • 2010 | Best Neighborhood Italian Restaurant

    It's worth hanging out at Gaetano's just to banter with the endearing kooks who belly up to the bar. There's the guy who insists on having his burger well-done and a half dozen "pats" of butter with his basket of white bread; the woman who orders shot after shot of Jack and never seems to slur or stumble; the old-timer who starts every sentence with "Remember when..." And his buddy who kicks his stool, a reminder that Gaetano's isn't that place anymore. But while the barflies definitely keep... More »

  • 2007 | Best Classic Cocktails

    Though now a member of the Wynkoop family of bars and restaurants, this old-time neighborhood Italian joint and former Mob bar still has a couple things going for it. First, the atmosphere (bulletproof front door, basement vault, Frank-and-Dino-at-the-Copa decor) and fifty-odd years of history at Gaetano's can't be bought, but must be earned. And second, the tenders working behind the comfortable, dark bar (perfect for daytime drinking) know how to assemble those classic cocktails that never... More »

  • 2006 | BEST USE OF CHILES IN A
    NON-MEXICAN RESTAURANT

    Only in Denver will you find an Italian restaurant doing something interesting with New Mexican chiles, and only at Gaetano's will you find "Tasty Treats." This bizarrely Southwestern take on Italian stuffed peppers puts green chiles and ground sausage inside a pastry shell, and gross as that may sound, it's actually quite a tasty treat indeed. When the Wynkoop family of restaurants bought this venerable restaurant from the Smaldone family, the new owners were wise to keep the Tasty Treats,... More »

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People Who Like Gaetano's Restaurant

Main Menu
Prima (to Begin)
$7.00
Grilled Polenta
gratineed with fontina in tomato sauce
$8.00
Lemon Risotto
slow-cooked carnaroli, broccoli rabe, tarragon, grana padano
$8.00
Bruschetta
marinated heirloom cherry tomatoes over garlic-rubbed grilled bread
$8.00
Gorgonzola Flatbread
fingerling potatoes, sweet onions, roast tomatoes, rosemary, gorgonzola
$10.00
Fritto Misto
marinated calamari, shrimp and scallops with lemon, herbs and red sauce
$12.00
Pei Mussels
pound of mussels steamed in garlic, lemon with anchovies, herbs, grilled sourdough
$13.00
Antipasto Misto
assorted local artisan meats and cheeses, cured olives, grilled sourdough
Minestra E Insalata (to Entice)
$5.00
Minestrone
finished with pesto
$4.00
Mixed Lettuces
tomatoes, carrots, red wine vinegar, sicilian olive oil
$6.00
Gaetano’s Caesar
whole leaf romaine, garlic croutons and grana padano
$7.00
Ripe Tomato Salad
fresh mozzarella, torn basil, olive oil, sea salt
$12.00
Sirloin Steak Salad
roasted mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, gorgonzola and baby lettuces
Posto (to Continue)
$16.00
$19.00
Chicken Or Veal Parmigiana
breaded and finished with tomato sauce and mozzarella
$16.00
Pan-seared Lemon Fish
eggplant caponate, tomato risotto, aceto balsamico
$13.00
Lasagna
layers of ricotto, sausage, tomato sauce, fresh pasta and parmesan
$18.00
Grilled Salmon
wild mushroom-pancetta salad, braised lentils, agrumato
$18.00
Pork Chops
black olive-red wine puree, orange gremolata, buttered broccoli rabe, red potatoes
$20.00
Swordfish
marinated and grilled with shellfish, fennel and tomatoes
$21.00
New York Strip Steak
brown butter gnocchi, parsnips, mushroom pesto
Pasta (to Enjoy)
$12.00
Alfredo
butter, parmesan and black pepper over fettucine
$13.00
Wild Mushroom Ravioli
parmesan-porcini broth, oyster mushrooms, braised chard
$13.00
Spicy Sausage
eggplant, tomato, ricotta salata with penne
$14.00
Fried Eggplant
fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce over linguine
$14.00
Carbonara
pancetta, peas and parmesan finished with egg yolk over spaghetti
$15.00
Clams Aglio E Olio
baby clams, garlic, white wine, chile pepper, herbs and olive oil in linguini
$16.00
Bolognese
ragout of tomato, beef and pork with a touch of cream over rigatoni
Condividere (to Share)
$4.00
Herb Marinated Olives
$5.00
Risotto Croquettes, Green Olive Relish
$5.00
White Bean & Garlic Puree, Crostini
$8.00
Fonduta With Crusty Bread
$6.00
Polpette In Tomato Sauce
$6.00
Warm Tomato & Olive Foccacia
Accompagnamento (to Add)
$3.00
Meatball
$3.00
Italian Sausage
$4.00
Crispy Polenta
$5.00
Buttered Broccoli Rabe
$5.00
Roast Red Potatoes
$6.00
Pasta With Red Sauce
$7.00
Gnocchi With Brown Butter
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