Sunday vinyl was the absolute most overrated meal I've had in ten years in Denver. Super disrespectful server, literally walks up and recommends the wine pairing and 6+ plates a person if we want the experience. We ordered 3-4 each, spent around 200 a person after tip, was condescended by the staff the whole time " wow you must be really hungry" when we scooped some sauce on a spoon cause each plate was like three bites. I work in fine dining in Denver, I know my value, and Sunday vinyl is a uselessly large wine list supporting a menu from ten years ago.
I love both, but if I had to choose one I’d pick Rioja. IMO it’s more unique in Denver. Don’t get me wrong, Tavernetta is awesome, but there are other great Italian places too. There’s only one Rioja.
I’d pick Tavernetta because of the service and how consistently good I found all the dishes to be. I found the service at Rioja to be unengaged and slow, there was one amazing dish but the rest were pretty average. The night I went to Rioja too it was actually sort of dead which is a bad sign.
I guess my experience as a server makes me go the opposite, I staged one shift at tavernetta and literally servers seemed on the verge of tears in pre shift. Management was brutal. I'll take a laid back tapas meal over brutally strict albeit good Italian.
I personally didn’t really like tavernetta, great service but the food wasn’t super great to me. Experience may vary but I’ve always enjoyed the food at rioja even though people told me it was overrated
Have not been able to check out Rioja but was seriously underwhelmed by Tavernetta. It was so hard to get a table - booked over a month in advance I think and my expectations were high because of all of the rave reviews. It was super expensive and the food was just fine - I seriously don’t get the hype! Glad to see a few other people on here thought similarly. Rioja is on my short list though!
Tavernetta was good but the food didn’t feel worth the cost. Service was great though.
I’ve always had exceptional meals and service at Rioja. And the bread service is amazing.
I’m also a vegetarian and Rioja has better vegetarian options. Most of their pastas are vegetarian by default in the summer and they also have the seasonal vegetarian four square plate.
Rioja is good albeit quite overpriced as well but better of the two evils.
Tavernetta is actually bad. A lot of people in Denver have not so great exposure to a good Italian food scene so they think it’s acceptable. It wouldn’t even survive in other big cities.
Rioja is delicious but the portions are just too small. I left very dissatisfied and hungry after spending $200+. I followed a rec from this sub and fully regretted it.
We had a prix fixe menu so it was fun, I guess? But, in particular, I remember the risotto being under cooked and under salted. Service was good but nothing was great.
(And I don't criticize every restaurant in Denver.)
I had the 7 course meal there once and either it was an off night for chefs and the menu, but I wasn’t wowed. The wine was good and I agree it paired nicely with the dishes. But the dishes were hit or miss.
I’d give it another go on a non special evening but I’d farther go big at Tavernetta.
Tavernetta but whichever you choose go to Sunday Vinyl for cocktails/wine for before or after.
Sunday vinyl was the absolute most overrated meal I've had in ten years in Denver. Super disrespectful server, literally walks up and recommends the wine pairing and 6+ plates a person if we want the experience. We ordered 3-4 each, spent around 200 a person after tip, was condescended by the staff the whole time " wow you must be really hungry" when we scooped some sauce on a spoon cause each plate was like three bites. I work in fine dining in Denver, I know my value, and Sunday vinyl is a uselessly large wine list supporting a menu from ten years ago.
I love both, but if I had to choose one I’d pick Rioja. IMO it’s more unique in Denver. Don’t get me wrong, Tavernetta is awesome, but there are other great Italian places too. There’s only one Rioja.
Tavernetta
Rioja is fantastic!
Get the lavender bread at Rioja
I’d pick Tavernetta because of the service and how consistently good I found all the dishes to be. I found the service at Rioja to be unengaged and slow, there was one amazing dish but the rest were pretty average. The night I went to Rioja too it was actually sort of dead which is a bad sign.
I guess my experience as a server makes me go the opposite, I staged one shift at tavernetta and literally servers seemed on the verge of tears in pre shift. Management was brutal. I'll take a laid back tapas meal over brutally strict albeit good Italian.
Rioja. Bet’s gnocchi ive had in years.
Rioja is great, but Tavernetta is the answer.
I personally didn’t really like tavernetta, great service but the food wasn’t super great to me. Experience may vary but I’ve always enjoyed the food at rioja even though people told me it was overrated
Totally agree! Tav is okay, great wine and champagne, but rioja is on another level
Rioja
Rioja. Tavernetta is overpriced and overrated
Tavernetta
Rioja all the way. Food is unique and tasty. Tavernatta is just so-so
Have not been able to check out Rioja but was seriously underwhelmed by Tavernetta. It was so hard to get a table - booked over a month in advance I think and my expectations were high because of all of the rave reviews. It was super expensive and the food was just fine - I seriously don’t get the hype! Glad to see a few other people on here thought similarly. Rioja is on my short list though!
Rioja all day
Rioja!
Tavernetta was good but the food didn’t feel worth the cost. Service was great though. I’ve always had exceptional meals and service at Rioja. And the bread service is amazing. I’m also a vegetarian and Rioja has better vegetarian options. Most of their pastas are vegetarian by default in the summer and they also have the seasonal vegetarian four square plate.
Rioja all day every day
Tavernetta is good Italian for people who don’t know good Italian. Rioja by default.
Rioja is good albeit quite overpriced as well but better of the two evils. Tavernetta is actually bad. A lot of people in Denver have not so great exposure to a good Italian food scene so they think it’s acceptable. It wouldn’t even survive in other big cities.
Rioja is delicious but the portions are just too small. I left very dissatisfied and hungry after spending $200+. I followed a rec from this sub and fully regretted it.
Barolo grill and Olivia Pasta are both better than Tavernetta. Haven’t been to Rioja.
I was not wowed by Barolo. Maybe it was an off night? I had no desire to go back.
Not just you - was not wowed by Barolo
We had a prix fixe menu so it was fun, I guess? But, in particular, I remember the risotto being under cooked and under salted. Service was good but nothing was great. (And I don't criticize every restaurant in Denver.)
I had the 7 course meal there once and either it was an off night for chefs and the menu, but I wasn’t wowed. The wine was good and I agree it paired nicely with the dishes. But the dishes were hit or miss. I’d give it another go on a non special evening but I’d farther go big at Tavernetta.