Taking its name from Denver's founder, Gen. William Larimer, Larimer Street runs through the lower downtown area, referred to by locals as LoDo. Bracketed by Coors Field, home or the Colorado Rockies, and the Pepsi Center, LoDo is a historic district known for its nightlife. In addition to the three Italian restaurants along Larimer Street, more than 70 restaurants and bars are available.
Located in Writer Square, Cafe Colore provides its clientèle of students, tourists and business people with a selection of pastas, pizzas and calzones. Colores uses locally derived ingredients, such as gluten-free bread and pizza dough from Boulder's Gluten Free Bistro and has been acclaimed by Westword, Insite Magazine, and the Denver Post respectively for its pesto pizza, and heralded as the best sit-down pizzeria and establishment for alfresco dining. Happy hour specials are from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Cafe Colore
1512 Larimer St., R12
Denver, CO 80202
303-534-6844
cafecoloredenver.com
If you are looking for something a little more upscale and formal, Osteria Marco is a brother restaurant to owner Frank Bonanno's more established Luca d'Italia. In recognition of its grocery-store roots, the restaurant retains the butcher's cloth patterned awnings and, at the just above the entrance, you will see a large iron pig hovering above the doorway as a token of good luck and fortune. The menu begins with an array of cured and seasoned meats. From the house-crafted Bresola red wine cured beef to authentic imported Galloni Parma proscuitto, Osteria Marco is a treat for the meat connoisseur. In fact, each Sunday night features an entree of slow-roasted suckling pig. You can arrange reservations through the restaurant's website. Should you want to take in the scenery of downtown Denver, Osteria Marco offers a packaged picnic meal for enjoyment whereever you please.
Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer St.
Denver, CO 80202
303-534-5855
osteriamarco.com
Marquis Pizza is the place to go if you are pining for a slice of New York-style pizza served by the slice and cheap. This restaurant's specialty pizzas include the "Don't Call Me Whitey," which is topped with garlic and olive oil, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, basil and red pepper; the "Sticks & Weeds" is catered toward the vegetarian pizza lover and comes with mushrooms, onions, green peppers, spinach, tomatoes and garlic---topping substitutions are welcome. If vegetables aren't your closest friends consider "The Heart Attack." This monster is sure to get your heart beating with spicy pepperoni, sausage, bacon and canadian bacon, and, if that's not enough to convince you to bring an antacid, jalapenos. Delivery is free and the restaurant is open late.
Marquis Pizza
2009 Larimer St.
Denver, CO 80205
303-292-2829
marquispizza.com
