Tag Archives: Patsy’s Inn

Colorado Information

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant

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Revised June 3, 2011

I was in Patsy’s last night. I was in a need-to-be-in-Patsy’s mood so I drove to Patsy’s Italian Restaurant on Denver’s North-side. Years ago South-sider’s referred to the Northwest part of Denver as West Denver, but who’s counting. Huhh?

Entering the restaurant is like stepping into a time-machine back to the gay 20s. Uhh, not that one.

Enter the restaurant through Patsys bar area
Enter the restaurant through Patsy's bar area.
Photo from Patsy's

The excellent photo – originally from Patsy’s site and snipped – above, is from a site who’s authors weren’t that crazy about the food. At least they agree with me that the restaurant looks like an authentic movie set, it is…authentic. Better then a movie set, it’s the real thing.

The restaurant has been around since 1921 or something like that, and it looks like it. Patronizing Patsy’s is like eating and drinking in an antique – not an antique-store, an antique. And I like that. The bar is boot-leg cozy with an old varnished wooden surface behind a half-round arm-rest, spinner-stools with red-vinyl (?) tops and mirrored back-bar. Don’t know if it’s true, but I heard that the name came about – changed to Patsy’s – after WWll when Italians weren’t exactly on America’s A-list and, well, Patsy’s sounds Irish, so… I also heard that the original owner, Chubby Aiello, referred to Mussolini as “Hitler’s patsy” so the restaurant was therefore named Patsy’s – as a patriotic gesture… Like the Kennedy Assassination, Roswell, Osama and so on and so forth, we’ll never know, so ask someone if you have a need to know.

Patsy’s pipes in appropriate period/style background music. The music savvy tech-guy went to Hollywood High, so says he. He does have excellent and thoughtful play-lists.

About the food, I think “those chicks” are accustomed to a different set of taste sensations. I am completely satisfied when I dine on the big, fat, home-made noodles with Patsy’s garlicky, red-sauce, a couple of balls, bread, salad and a glass of a solid red. Deal me in baby. What – you were expecting a piece on military-artillery. Not going to happen here.

The word cozy comes up again when mentioning the restaurant booths. Easy-in, hard-out. Easing into the booths, your eyes catch a glimpse of the little shaded light on the wall behind the booth. It sooths. It isn’t an expletive high-school classroom with mind-scratching fluorescent lighting.

Patsys main dinning area Photo from Patsy's website
Patsy's main dinning area

“Patsy’s was named one of the 10 “Reasons to Return” to Denver by 10Best Inc.

And here she is…

Patsys Italian Restaurant
Patsy's Italian Restaurant

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 477-8910

Navajo Art District
Navajo Street Art District

Patsy’s is the anchor for about a half-dozen art galleries within a block or so. There’s even a little theater. The area is called The Navajo Street Art District.

First Fridays of each month feature the First Friday Art Walk: The galleries do an open-house with cheese and wine thing from around 5:00 PM until around 9:00 PM. Actually that would be tonight – June 3, 2011. The art ranges from primitive-barely-art art to sophisticated, luxurious oils. There is some avant-guard, edgy stuff. Be sure to check out D-Gallery on 36th and Navajo. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night in Denver. Do cocktails and dinner at Patsy’s then stroll the galleries for a couple of hours, and buy some art. Support your local artist. Even if he/she’s from Brooklyn, New York.

Patsy’s Official Website
Certified authentic by TrueItalianTable
Visit the main pages of LasVegasBuffetClub.Com

Colorado Information

Hottest dinner ticket in Denver: Patsy’s Inn on First Friday

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Patsy's Inn Credit: LasVegasBuffetClub, file photo
Patsy's Inn
Credit: LasVegasBuffetClub, file photo

I was doing Navajo street’s “First Fridays Art Walk” on, guess what, Friday night, and was drawn to *Patsy’s (Patsy’s Inn restaurant ) front door like the proverbial moth to a flame. Actually my first stop was going to be Patsy’s. The open door of Patsy’s was emenating energy not altogether unlike the exceptionally bright, (almost) full moon. Maybe it was more like a bonfire, which was burning, in the midst of the smaller campfires – lights from gallery windows. Whatever it was, it was an energy fest.

In addition to the (half-dozen) open art galleries, there was a birthday party (or some other kind of party) going on at the restaurant, adding immensely to the overall ambience of the evening. The entire block was “happening.” Oh yea, the Bug Theater, across the street from Patsy’s was open for business: “Modern Muse Theatre Presents: “SPEED THE PLOW” by David Mamet.”

When I say “it was happening,” I don’t just mean activity, I’m talking classy people in a classy scene. I was at another place near 8th & Colorado Blvd. (which I won’t name) earlier in the evening. The crowd were a bunch of dead-brains with not enough collective imagination to have a bad idea! (I’ve got to write that place off…)

After Patsy’s I headed a block south to the D Gallery ( I received an email invite to their METRO RETRO show.) What a fine gallery. The food spread was tastefully executed – a veritable work of art. I also found two other delicious pieces d’art: artists Jim Petty and Marlene Feinholz each had, at least, one work that passed my threshold test….

*By the way, Patsy’s Inn is a long-time favorite, old-school, neighborhood, Italian restaurant that has been around since the 1920s.
PATSY’S INN Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
303-477-8910

Colorado Information

Old School! New School! Two Italian Restaurants In Denver: PATSY’S INN Italian Restaurant and PARISI Pizzeria, Deli and Trattoria.

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PATSY’S Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 477-8910

Patsy's Italian Restaurant
Patsy's Italian Restaurant-click to enlarge

“With a history that spans more than 80 years, Patsy’s Italian Restaurant is Denver’s oldest Italian restaurant. Founded in 1921 by the Aiello family, Patsy’s has undergone a few changes over the years but the heart and soul of tradition have remained the same.” read more from Patsy’s website…

This has been one of my favorite Denver restaurants for years. “It’s the restaurant stupid!” I mean the restaurant itself, the physical property: the dining room, the kitchen, the bar, the little shaded-lamps on the walls of the booths, the booths, the [1]two-way mirror behind the bar, the back-room behind the two-way mirror, the mural along one wall, and the fact that they haven’t changed a single, solitary-thing – as far as I know – in decades! These are the things that make Patsy’s, Patsy’s. The photos on the walls and bar have been there since the summer of 1921. O.K. I don’t really know that, but…

Imagine a Marty Scorsese film: Brooklin, NY (1959) “A quiet summer evening in a neighborhood restaurant – cut to a Ted Williams’ Louisville Slugger.” Somebody “whacks” somebody. Ba-Da-Bing! Ba-Da-Boom! The End! Fugedaboudit!

Patsy’s has been serving the same Italian food for years, from at least three different owners. And the food is authentic and tasty, if you like Southern-Italian cuisine. I happen to like it.

From Patsy’s menu:
“Pasta! Served with your choice of soup or salad and Patsy’s original spaghetti sauce”
Homemade Spaghetti – Patsy’s Specialty! ($9.50.) Check the menu on Patsy’s website for other pastas.

From the menu:
“House Favorites! Includes bread and your choice of soup or salad”
Baked Lasagna or Eggplant Lasagna – Sausage or lightly breaded baked eggplant, layered with pasta, Patsy’s original spaghetti sauce ricotta, romano and provolone. Topped with mozzarella ($13.00)

Putanesca – A spicy specialty of Trastevere. Tomatoes, capers, calamata olives and red pepper, with white wine and olive oil over fettucine ($11.00)
Topped with grilled chicken breast ($14.00)

Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan – Tender chicken breast rolled in seasoned bread crumbs, or seasoned baked eggplant. Topped with Patsy’s original spaghetti sauce, parmesan and mozzarella, with homemade spaghetti ($14.00) Check the menu on Patsy’s website for more entrees.

Also: Appetizers, Salads, Soups, Desserts, Sandwiches, Lunches, Wines and a Full Bar with a dozen stools

We were told that a relative of the original owner/family (The Aiellos) is the new owner and proprietor of Patsy’s Inn. Patsy’s has a huge parking lot on Navajo – 1/4 block north of the restaurant.

Access Patsy’s Official Website with menu, photos, directions and more…

Memo to Martin Scorsese and other Film Industry execs: You used Las Vegas’ Peppermill’s lounge in “Casino”and The Golden Gate’s, Bay City Diner in “Pay It Forward.” Give this place a try. Fugedaboudit!
[1] The “backing” behind the glass has been removed. The “two-way” mirror is now just clear glass. “I saw you looking at the glass.”
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PARISI Pizzeria, Deli and Trattoria
4401 Tennyson St.
Denver, Colorado 80212

Parisi
Parisi-click to enlarge

I was driving down Tennyson the other day and saw sidewalk tables and thought I saw a big white sign that read “Paris,” and underneath the sign, “Pizzeria.” I chortled and thought to myself: the French have joined in the *Denver Pizza Wars. Of course, the sign read: Parisi – the last i was obscured.

I made a mental note to return. Tonight I did. Parisi is a Tuscan-California-Modern-style, “hip and now” Pizzeria/Restaurant/Deli in an older north-west Denver neighborhood.

“You can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” Not that the old building is a sow’s ear, it’s just that Parisi did a remarkable job redoing the plain-jane building. The restaurant’s interior is fresh, shiny and new. Visual flavors of a Tuscan village are imparted by the architecture, as well as flavors of a modern Califormia restaurant.

Ordering food offers a twist: walk up to a counter, order and pay. One is issued a seat (by number,) one sits – someone brings your order to the table.

Lotsa-Pasta is on the menu: mostly Penne w/this or, Spaghetti w/that, Lasagna, Gnocchi etc. See all available pastas by clicking on Parisi’s website link (below.)

Specialty Pizzas (11″ and 14″) are available (from $8.99 to $15.99,) for example: Prosciutto and Funghi (prosciutto cotto and mushrooms) $10.99 / $14.99. (For you and me, that’s ‘shrooms & ham.)
Also: Calzones ($10.99,) Panini (6″ $5.99 – 10″ $7.49,) Focaccia ($7.99,) Salads, Daily Specials and more. Click Parisi’s link to view the full menu (below.)

There is a wood-oven and pizza prep “stage” with a few seats – watch the pizza assembly with a glass of wine (wine starts at about five bucks.) The Parisi on-site Deli has prepared foods, canned goods, cheeses, dry-pastas, and a small on-the-wall dining table with a few stools.

On our first visit, we ordered the Lasagne ($7.49,) and a dinner salad (1.99.) First blush revealed an unexpected sight: the plate of Lasagne had an orange tint. Whoa, it looked as though the Lasagna was topped with grated, yellow cheese. Whew! We inquired and found out the orange color was from grated carrots. Although not a large portion, and a bit overcooked the Lasagna was good, still a bit different. The nice mixed-greens / spinich, dinner salad was a deal at two bucks. I want to return to try the gnocchi, spaghetti and pizza. Overall the expierience was positive.

“firenza a tavola“ is a formal restaurant “secretely found down the stairwell adjacent to our ordering line.” Part wine-celler, part high-end, basement restaurant, “firenza a tavola“ is very warm and cozy, with a 2nd (small) bar.

On the menu: Zuppe e Insalate ($5-$10,) Antipasti Dalla Cucina ($9-$13,) Prosciutti ($8-$14,) Primi ($17-$20,) Secondi ($21-$32.)

For example: Cacciucco alla Livornese! Traditional seafood stew of Livorno made of slow simmered sea bass, mussels, scallops, shrimp and cuttlefish in an aromatic stew of shellfish stock, garlic, chili flakes, parsley and white wine, served with garlic rubbed ciabatta crostini ($21.)

Click here to see Parisi’s full menu…

(*Competition for Denver pizza business between some Greek-Americans and Italian-Americans.”)

Access the main web pages of LasVegasBuffetClub.Com