La Dolce Vita
361 Village Square Ln, Castle Pines, CO, 80108
La Dolce Vita Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Castle Pines for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Castle Pines for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Castle Pines for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
361 Village Square Ln
Castle Pines, CO, 80108 - Phone (303) 663-3421
- Website https://www.ladolcevitacastlepines.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Brittany V.
The food was pretty good, but the prices? I am a bit baffled. I paid more for an Italian restaurant in a strip mall in Castle Pines than I would in downtown Denver. How does that happen exactly? For the appetizer, I had the bruschetta. I have to say, it was really good. The garlic knots? I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I found them to be bland, tasteless, forgettable. For my entree, I had tri colored tortellini in a cream sauce. It was definitely good, and I had leftovers to take home with me. For dessert, we split a cannoli and it was excellent. Overall, it was good, overpriced food.
(3)Kerry T.
My sister and I came with our parents and everything was great. Sat on the covered patio which had a great atmosphere. The appetizer special was excellent - portobello mushroom stuffed with seafood and veggies. We also had the spaghetti and meatballs, salmon, penne rustica and penne primavera - all delicious. We started with yummy garlic knots as well. Our server, Erin, was very attentive; we will come back and ask for her!
(5)d g.
Hidden but not forgotten. Want a wonderful hide away ristorante that will surprise you and make you wonder why you don't visit more often? This is it. Try it, it may turn out to be your favorite; it's now mine.
(4)Rachel R.
I am from California and was in Castle Pines to help my boyfriend's grandparents move out of state. My boyfriend's family recommended this place as they use to live in Castle Pines before. The customer service was excellent! Erin our waitress was amazing! The interior of the restaurant is quite beautiful and has a very nice atmosphere. We sat in the patio outside which was quiet and peaceful! The food was delicious! Erin recommended there Seafood pasta dish...pasta de Mare( forgot the name but it is their signature dish)...by far one of the best seafood pasta I have ever had!! The lasagna that my boyfriend ordered was delicious too! I wish this place was in San Diego near where I live! If I ever come to castle Pines again this will be the go to restaurant! Also they had a young lady sing during dinner and her voice was so beautiful and so nice to listen to during dinner! Hope to be back here some day!
(5)Tom W.
We stopped in this evening after the wife said "i'm hungry for Italian". Nothing good came to mind in good old Castle Rock so after a check on Yelp we were off to Castle Pines. Even though it was a Friday night and we were walkins we were seated immediatly and cordially greeted by our server Natalie. The smell of from the wood ovens was great, remaniscent of Berttucci's back east. We started with a basic antipasta, good, fresh but not stellar. I has Penne Rustica, the wife had Seafood Scampi an the liitle one ad the child's Penne Alfredo. The entres were hot, well made, tasty, ample and nicely presented. Service was excellent, the resturaunt cosy and comfortable , it felt like we were old friends and Natalue fawned on our daughter. The singer was entertaining and sang "Under the Sea" from The Liitle Mermaid for my daughter, who was enthralled. I would have preferred perhaps some roasted garlic with oil and balsamic on a good rustic Italian from the wood oven to the "garlic knots" which in my mind are a horrilble food gimmick but thats Colorado.... Bottom line its affordable and the best place for homestyle Italian eats we've found here and we'll be returning agian and maybe again...
(4)Sharon F.
We checked this place out on Yelp before heading there for dinner last evening. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent, the service was appropriately attentive and engaging, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. We especially enjoyed the music provided by Reagan L. As everyone has mentioned, the garlic knots are tasty treats and the two of us went through two baskets of them (we took a few home with our leftovers). I had a small Caesar salad, asparagus wrapped with cheese and prosciutto, and veal piccata which came with steamed fresh vegetables. The asparagus was a tad overcooked, but the steamed vegies on my plate were perfection! They may have been a little too generous with the capers on the piccata, but it was ok with me because I love them. My friend had the steamed artichoke and Fettuccine Alfredo. The flavors were wonderful! The only complaint she had was that the pasta was overcooked (she's an al dente fan) and the artichoke as well (although she raved about the beurre blanc sauce - and having tried it, I agree!). We brought home leftovers of almost everything, and this morning I made a frittata with the two wrapped asparagus I had left and one of the garlic knots torn into small pieces along with four eggs beaten with some milk. FABULOUS! You get what you pay for. The two of us also enjoyed a few glasses of wine (one for me, two for her) and desert (sorbet and a cannoli) and our total tab before tip was just under $100. It was worth it for a special occasion, and I will definitely think about La Dolce Vita when I am looking for a nice dinner out. I love that it is so close to us in Parker!
(4)Nichole W.
There are two things you need to know about La Dolce Vita. Garlic knots and bruschetta. And they have take out. Sorry, that's three things. I have no idea how anything else is or tastes, but man oh man, bruschetta to die for.
(4)Todd T.
Disappointing! The decor was great and we were expecting great things. I like me some Italian food. I grew up around Italian cooking and cook lots of Italian dishes. The server was borderline rude. He never once refilled our water or asked how the food was and the flies were disgusting. Flies all over the place. The food was bland.
(1)Dave F.
The food was generally good, just overpriced. We did get a decent amount of food, but when you're in a strip mall in Castle Pines you shouldn't be paying more than we paid at Linger. We split the bruschetta, I had the lobster ravioli with a small caeser salad and a cannoli for dessert. The free garlic knots were not good. A little burnt and not even warm. Everything else was okay to good. Except for the cannoli. Which was up there with one I've had in Boston as the best I've ever had. I might have given this place 4 stars...until I saw the bill. 71 bucks before tip. I enjoyed it and I might come back for a cannoli but not for anything else.
(3)Julia Z.
So delicious! I would give 100 stars for atmosphere. Live singer was fantastic. Erin was the most fantastic server. New favorite.
(5)Gregory M.
Recommendation: An unexpected Italian delight hiding in a Castle Pines strip mall. Food: I've never had anything that I didn't like here and I've tried a number of dishes. The pasta always tastes fresh, the sauces are delicious and they use quality meat and seafood. My favorite Italian dish is Veal Parmigiana and they certainly do it justice. My only complaint is that sometimes the garlic knots are a little over done. I like mine to be soft and chewy, but that is a personal preference. Service: They have traditional table side service from the waitstaff and our waiters always seem to have some distinct personality that takes the service to the next level. The food comes out pretty fast and the garlic knots are very satisfying while you wait. Price: I'm not going to sugar coat it, the menu items are pretty pricey here. Dinner for 2 is right around $50 and if you bring the kids, it can be an expensive night out. Regardless, the food and ambiance keeps us coming back. Ambiance: The ambiance is the most surprising element of this Italian Restaurant. It's in a strip mall, so you don't expect much, but once you walk inside it's like you are in an Italian villa. Then you throw in a live singer on Friday and Saturday nights to serenade you during dinner and it really makes this place stand out. Yeah, the new singer isn't as good as Carole was, but she is still good enough to belt out requests from a list of classics for the guests. This is a great place for a date on a Friday or Saturday night or a special occasion dinner. We like to come here for Christmas Eve. Kids: They do have a kids menu that includes pizzas, pastas, and even Kraft Mac-N-Cheese for your picky eaters. All kids meals include a drink and ice cream. Plus kids eat FREE on Sunday!
(5)Robin B.
This is such a gem it's worth driving to. Don't be put off by the lackluster exterior, the inside is like stepping into the courtyard of an italian village. They have a nice covered and enclosed patio area too besides the two dining rooms. I have had the sole a few times, and it's preparation is spot-on with capers, olives, tomatoes all in a light lemon sauce. Came with orzo and asparagus. My husband really liked his blackened scallops and shrimp over spinach fettuccine. And don't get me started on those garlic knots - so melt-in-your-mouth delicious all warm and garlicy - make sure and dip them into some balsamic for a tasty treat. Saw a preparation of bananas foster that looks so yummy, the smell wafting to our table was almost irresistible! I always forget just how great all their dishes are, they have wonderful pizzas made in the tuscan style with thin crust fresh from their pizza oven. Really a great place for italian where you'll be treated like family after your first visit.
(4)Denae P.
We just moved to town and a few people said that they loved this restaurant. We decided to check it out and LOVED IT. The staff is friendly, the food is good and the atmosphere is wonderful. We will definitely be going back!
(4)Dayna B.
The service was great inside this cute little local gem. Garlic knots were really good and although we asked for some marinara sauce for dipping they didn't need it. We split three courses. First, the mussels which arrived quickly and were good, but the sauce had a slight lemon-ish aftertaste. Then we went for the creamy tomato basil soup that was again good, not out of this world.. but a solid soup that begged the remaining garlic knots to go for a swim. I obliged and enjoyed. Last, but not least we had carbonara with blackened shrimp. It was a suggested special request by our server. Again, good and we ate each bite. The blackening was the best part. We had hoped by splitting everything that we might have room for dessert, but that didn't happen. All in all it was a good meal (with a super nice server and great music playing in the background - Ray Charles, Etta James, etc) and probably one of the best you will find in Castle Pines -= short of the country club.
(3)Liz C.
I wish I felt the same way about the food as most of the other people on here. The decor inside the restaurant is awesome, a little cramped for my liking but still pretty cool. The food I have tried twice, both times got it to go. First time I tried the lasagna, which was several months ago and it was not very good. Then tonight I decided to give them one more shot and went for a classic, Chicken Alfredo, it also was not very good. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend eating here.
(2)Lars S.
I come for happy hour any time I can. IMHO BEST deal within 50 mi. * 1/2 price on all drinks except bottles of wine. * A fantastic $7,6,5 bar appetizers menu * Sun - Thur: 4:30 pm till CLOSE. * Fri - Sat: 4:40 till 6pm While I don't come as often as I used to for dinner, the food is awesome and I've never been disappointed. Keep in mind, if you want to take advantage of the happy hour deals, you have to sit/eat in the bar area.
(5)J W.
My wife took me here on a Saturday for lunch, It's in a little strip mall so that was a little red flag to me. The inside is nice, it's has the Tuscan feel to it. I was really looking forward to trying some good gnocchi but it didn't end that way. it looked like there was only one water for the whole place. He was busing 6-10 table at a time. But the time he got to our no mention of special or recommendation just wanted the drink list. Ok, fine, no specials today I guess. While waiting for drinks I scanned the room. It was not the cleanest I have ever seen. It has some dust around the vents and cobwebs on the fixtures, plus a few bugs crawling around our table. Drinks came in 3-4minutes and we order. One order of Ravioli and one Shrimp scampi. My like liked the Ravioli but it was not her favorite. The Scampi was bad, The shrimp was dry and over cooked, the vegetables were watery with no taste (steamed too much?). To top it all off a table a women that had just sat down was treated a lot better and was even offered the daily special (gnocchi !!!). Would I return, no I don't think so, there are better places that treat you like a valued customer and does not play favorites
(3)Jimmy J.
I grabbed an order of calamari to go and my experience was what I'd expect (based on both my prior visits here and other writers' reviews). 1) the food was waiting when I arrived at the time they quoted 2) they threw in some unsolicited garlic knots (gratis) 3) the two people who handled my take out order were friendly, prompt, and seemed to appreciate my business Their calamari recipe is not my favorite, but it was tender, hot and flavorful (I just didn't like their breading).
(4)Christina E.
I loved this place on my first visit. It was Valentine's day, they seated us in the middle of the main dining room, and it was fabulous. The wine was flowing, the service was great, and the singer was a wonderful treat that we hadn't expected. Since then, La Dolce Vita hasn't quite lived up to that first impression. When we've gone back we always end up in the side room or patio, neither of which have the ambiance as the main dining room. The food and service has been good, but in my opinion, it doesn't really stand out as much as you'd expect from the price & the crowd.
(3)Karen M.
La Dolce Vita offers classic Italian in a pleasant Trattoria atmosphere with friendly servers and a very accommodating chef with a desire to make every meal pleasing to his guests. Whether you are craving classic veal Parmesan or a seafood scampi, rest assured, you won't be disappointed. Delicious yet unpretentious.
(4)Mary F.
This place is a fun Italian restaurant in an unexpected place. We happened to end up here late-ish (9 PM) on a Thursday night when everything else in the area was closed. We had just finished a broomball game and our team showed up in sweatpants and looking a little raggedy. We walked in to find cloth tablecloths and a restaurant that looked out of our league (in our current state). Sam, the maitre d' welcomed us in in the most friendly manner and immediately set up a table for 6. He suggested great items and chatted with us throughout the evening. It made the experience that much better. Since then we've been back a couple of times and each time discover something new and have the same great experience. Each time you get started with a free basket of fantastic garlic knots. We'd had the pizza which is FANTASTIC! The crust is the perfect level of breadiness. Their caesar salad is really good. It's a touch spicier than a normal caesar salad and that's what makes it special. A couple of friends from my group have been there other times and indicated their other classic Italian menu items are just as good. This is definitely a littler pricier than your run of the mill chain Italian restaurant, but it's worth it for the food, the ambiance and the great personalized service. They also offer print coupons so keep your eye out for those. I hear that during the week they also have a singing trio that goes table to table for your entertainment. If you find yourself in the area you should give this place a try.
(5)Shira Y.
OK Italian food but nothing to rave about so far. I am picky about my Italian food though. I do intend to return to try more dishes for a more well-rounded opinion. Super Italian atmosphere. Youll know what I mean hen you check it out.
(3)Tim K.
Very nice Italian Restaurant with good variety of food, excellent personal and even a singer who was very good. The menu has lots of interesting choices and if you don't see something that arouses you, you can ask them to add something or combine items. It seems they are there to please the customer and they do a good job of that. Atmosphere is very pleasant, quiet enough for conversation with tables far enough apart so you don't overhear others. Interesting decor, very eclectic. All in all, positive in every aspect.
(4)Lynda T.
Food was good, a little pricey. Service was excellent.
(3)Brandon G.
For the few Italian Restaurants we have in the Castle Rock area, taking a trip up north a few minutes is worth the wait. La Dolce Vita has some okay tasting Italian food. It's not the best I've had but it is a nice place to visit and still have a great dinner. The waiting service is very friendly, they have the waiters as well as people that sorta just fill drinks and what not for you throughout your visit. I really like their bread, it really compliments the salads and entrees. Seating was a little uncomfortable, as some of the tables don't really feel like they should be in the spot they are actually in. Not all the tables are like this, just the one we were sat at, as we were right next to the entrance to another room and so you felt kind of weird. They also have a complimentary vocalist who goes by your table during your visit and hands you a sheet of songs she knows and can sing during your visit. I found this pretty nice, but wasn't necessary to enjoy your meal. Over all I recommend this restaurant if you are thinking for a more semi-formal dining experience.
(3)Kendra R.
Where does an Italian family go to celebrate a birthday? Out of all the places in Denver, my 100% Italian Pops in law chooses La Dolce Vita. With the icy parking lot and cold December temps, I'm very grateful they have complimentary valet service. Rustic ambiance, and live entertainment singing beautiful tunes (Phantom of the Opera, Blue Eyes, and Christmas songs) almost make up for the narrow seating arrangement. The waiter was eager to please; too eager to the point where he was just in the way. The mingling cosmos were perfectly mixed, the Chianti was magnificent with the apps and our dinner. The stuffed eggplant and the calamari were divine; I could've been happy with just these for dinner. The garlic knots are complete heaven *if* you really like garlic (of course you love garlic!) Skip the bruschetta. With a group of 10 a variety of main courses were ordered. The best dish on the table was the seafood pasta. Mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp and calamari in a garlic tomato cream sauce over linguini. I had serious plate envy. The second best in the pork shank, with its meat falling off the bone yet very moist and succulent. If you crave something rich and creamy, and it happens to be one of the chefs specials for the evening, the baked shells stuffed with ricotta and lobster. So you're wondering what to avoid? I was very disappointed with my 8oz sirloin stuffed with lobster spinach and mushrooms with a reduced red wine sauce. The stuffing had no flavor, the medium rare order was basically medium, and this dish was more sweet than savory. Not due to lack of an appetite, I only ate a small portion of this. The mashed potatoes tasted like typical mashed you can find anywhere. Thankfully I had my three sauteed asparagus to nibble. Now to desserts.... Banana fosters: looked and smelled wonderful. The cheesecake: typical. The galaxy mousse: nice small portion but was dense in composition and on the palate. As a dessert liquor they offer a Chocolate Port; that was tasty. I believe that La Dolce Vita my in fact be "the sweet life" but only if you choose the right items from their menu.
(4)Laura K.
We just finished celebrating my parent's 60th wedding anniversary at La Dolce Vita. The experience could not have been more perfect. The planning with Sam, the great waiter, amazing singing by Richelle and fantastic food and atmosphere made this an unforgettable evening. And we will be back many times, I am sure, as we now have a favorite place to eat. The restaurant is very European and the range of food is amazing. The prices are extremely reasonable for the wonderful food and variety that is prepared. This amazing place is tucked into a strip mall, easy to miss, but the atmosphere and food make it well worth finding it! There wasn't anyone in our group who did not just love their food, even the so called Italian experts in our family! Our choices ranged from Spagetti and Meatballs to Salmon to Mahi Mahi to Veal Meatloaf, all with much better names and ingredients than I can recall. Great food, surprising but amazing atmosphere and a range of prices, but reasonable for the quality of food as well as the level of service and atmosphere.
(5)TheGood W.
Not the knockout as so many on here reviewed. Had to keep my foot on one of the table supports so it wouldn't rock and spill our drinks. Garlic knots tasted like they came from a box. Pork Tuscany was very good but the mashed potatoes and asparagus sides were cradled in a tortilla shell. Weird.Ordered a second drink as my entree arrived but it didn't come until I was almost finished. Atmosphere was nice but the place acted more like a neighborhood hang-out than a destination restaurant. Doubtful I'd return.
(2)Kristen W.
I love La Dolce Vita for a leisurely lunch or happy hour. The Mahi Mahi cooked in the wood fired oven is fabulous! It has all the smoky flavor from the fire and is topped with a buttery lemon caper sauce. Yum. I recommend you start with the shrimp stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon or the brushetta with basalmic glaze. The pizzas are tasty as they are made with fresh mozzarella cheese then cooked in that wonderful wood fired oven. Weekend nights can be packed and the food not on par with lunch or week nights. Their happy hour has 1/2 priced glasses of wine (what a deal) and great $5 and $6 appetizers prices! With the inviting Tuscan ambiance and friendly service this spot is a treasured neighborhood gem!
(4)Steve N.
When your daughter goes out with 30 friends who are all about 16 for Winter Formal, you'd hope the restaurant would take care of them. Instead, the fixed menu for $20 included tiny portions and she said the server literally took her plate away before she was finished with each course. Guess if you aren't ordering wine, they move you on out! While i'm at it, this place is very expensive for what it is. The ambiance is fun, but for good italian I'd take the $15 pasta price point downtown to The Wooden Table or Spuntino.
(2)Bill C.
This was unexpectedly delicious. Complaints about prices must be accustomed to fast food Italian, since I fed my entire family for under 150 bux. That included 3 adults and two children's dishes, ap and two cocktails, two glasses of wine and desserts all around, and tip. Excellent food. I had the cannelloni Toscana, which was stuffed with veal and cheese, topped with bolognese and mozz, and my wife the florentine stuffed shells. My daughter had a special, the chicken saltimbocca. All three dishes were distinct and well prepared. The kids had a pizza and penne with meat sauce, and frankly, I could have had one of those myself. Portions were ample, without being monstrous, service was speedy but not rushed, and the atmosphere, while a little kitschy, was cozy and comfortable. I plan to return often enough to sample everything on the menu.
(5)Guy P.
Originally this restaurant was listed as a bank, thus my previous one star rating and comment. Getting to the point, La Dolce Vita has good food at premium prices. They constantly run ads with coupons offering "buy one entree, get the second for 50% off. So, locals use the coupons to mitigate their charges and the unknowing get overcharged even more. I'm glad to have this restaurant in Castle Pines as a nearby option. It has a pleasant atmosphere, good food and solid service. When we go, we expect to pay the price for the convenience of a good meal down the street. However, we always bring the coupon.
(3)Christy C.
While in town, we went with family and friends to La Dolce Vita. The atmosphere was great - so cute and the staff was ultra friendly. The singer was really great, and she sang right to my boyfriend's niece. Very cute. The little rolls were super delicious. mmm. My food wasn't that great. I am super picky, and I just usually get plain buttered pasta and plain chicken (no pepper). It may sound silly, but there IS a way to make this be super tasty and delicious. Some restaurants make this really nummy. La Dolce Vita's wasn't that great - no flavor and the chicken didn't taste that great. Everyone else who ordered more specific food off their menu loved the food. I don't mean to be unfair, but this is my honest review - I don't know what the secret is (maybe more butter or better butter?).
(3)Sara P.
Went for our anniversary dinner last night. Hostess was a little rude, but server and food were great! The atmosphere is fun... We'll be back.
(4)Sara C.
It's with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave this review. I came here because a fellow yelper Charmaine K, had an amazing review and we came here to celebrate her fiancée's birthday. We got here 3 mins before noon on a Saturday, the open sign was on but there was no one at the door. My family walked in with me and waited patiently at the front door to have someone to come greet us and take us to our table. A middle-aged Italian/Latino waiter came and greeted us, saying that he was busy getting the restaurant started and that he was not ready for us. I informed him that we are patient and we can wait. (Thinking to myself, if you aren't ready, why is your OPEN sign on?) He definitely has that "you're bothering me face".... We got to our table, the rest of our party showed up a few minutes later and we ordered our food. The service was ok, the food was decent, hence the 2 stars. He was slightly bothered that we decided to not order any alcoholic beverages as he rolled his eyes when he removed our wine glasses. We got the so-called amazing garlic knots..... cold and oily. The seafood pasta was really yummy with a good flavor. The salad was bland and a little wilted.... At the end when we were trying to check out, I did not appreciate the way the waiter tried to "connect" with us, by making fun of our last names into a song after he brought back our credit cards. We all have Asian last names..... I felt that maybe he is just not socially/racially smart, but ching/ching/kong/kong is not a way to connect with customers, and in turn, making me feel very prejudiced against. I will never be back, the food is good, but not that great.... and the service. Wow, it could not have been worse. If there is a way to report to the racial police, this guy would be locked up. No thanks!!!!
(2)B T.
Decent meal if you are in the area. I wouldn't go out of my way though. Atmosphere is fun, kids liked it. Wine list is a little weak. Veal Piccata was actually really good, but the pasta, meatballs, and garlic knots were just average. Service was excellent. I will give it another shot, but will probably stick with the chefs specials or mains other than the typical pastas. I
(3)Brad C.
My family and I love this place. Good food, great atmosphere, terrific service. What's not to love? Also - very important - they take great care of my kids here. They treat them with respect and interest. A rare quality indeed (I almost never seen this and we live at restaurants). Highly recommended.
(5)Charmaine K.
7/4 we went down to Castle Rock outlet for some shopping to celebrate (like I need an excuse) and afterwards we decided to eat somewhere down south instead of heading back to Denver. Most places were closed in Castle Rock, and the one place that was opened (Siena at the Courtyard) didn't make us feel like we're very welcomed, so we ended up yelping for a place and La Dolce Vita just so happened to be opened on that day. As we drove up, we were a little skeptical.... strip mall Italian with no outside seating. But we were hungry and this was our best bet. When we walked in, we were quickly greeted and seated. Granted there was only a couple of tables at the time, but it's still nice to be enthusiastically greeted. We took a look at the menu and was glad to see the wide range of options. My bf doesn't eat meat and there are plenty of seafood options for him. I ended up choosing the chicken marsala and he had the ahi tuna of the day special. He ordered with the fish barely cooked, replacing pasta with steamed veggie. I ordered mine with olio instead of marinara sauce on my angel hair. Throughout, the waiter was very patient with our questions and accommodating with our requests. The bread came. We opened the napkin, damn, those weren't bread, those were garlic knots! We asked for some marinara on the side, which came heated, and then the feast began. The food arrived and it is EXACTLY how we envisioned them. No forgotten substitutions, no wrong sauce, everything was perfect. The portions were generous as well. We started chowing down and it wasn't until we were all done that we realized we didn't talk throughout the whole meal. It was so good that we were just too busy eating, no time to talk! After we stuffed ourselves, we were asked if we wanted dessert. Didn't think we did until we saw the list. We ordered ourselves creme burlee, and it was perfect as well. It's not ice cold but just the right temperature, with just the right amount and thickness of burnt sugar on top. Not too burnt that it's too bitter and that's all you can taste, but just right. All in all, I think it's pretty good value for the price they charge. Ample portions, good food, great service, good menu options, fun atmosphere. This has just become our new favorite Italian place in Colorado. This will now be our sure stop when we go to Castle Rock outlet mall again.
(5)Angela D.
The ambiance is really fun Not at all what you would expect from the outside ! The pasta was delicious as was the margarita pizza. Hands down the best turtle cheese cake I've ever had ! Great service this is a local gem in castle pines
(4)Bill J.
Great food with a pleasant atmosphere. Really enjoy a Friday night meal here! Worth every penny.
(4)Josh K.
The best Italian restaurant in Denver. The staff is always courteous, the food is always exceptional and the ambiance is awesome. This is my wifes favorite restaurant, and if I have to eat italian, I enjoy this place. (Im not a huge italian food eater) We like this place so much we had our rehearsal dinner here for our wedding, It was an awesome event and the treated us like royalty. This is a great place and I hope everyone north oc castle rock take notice and come and try it.
(4)Kerry S.
Went last night for special dinner. We had a drink at the bar first, terrific lady bartender. We could have continued to have her as our server had we sat on covered patio, but I was keen to sit in main room. Wish I'd taken her up on offer -- For dinner, they tried to put us in back corner of back room and seemed a little mad when we asked to sit in pretty piazza themed main room. Then the waiter is sort of a hustler. Starts nice and fast talking about how wonderful everything is. We choose a bottle of wine, around $30. Apparently, they didn't have it, or *any* of the others around that price range or he would say "that one isn't very good" and push the $50+ bottles until my husband finally gave in and just chose one. So of course I'm already feeling like we busted the budget and am not enjoying it, kind of pissed. The food choices, he kept pushing on the most expensive dinner items and appetizers. Due to being coerced on wine price, I got one of the cheapest entrees and nothing else. It's not that I mind paying respectably high prices for good food -- we dropped a lot of cash at Rose's Bella Cucina in Castle Rock the week before -- I just felt so pressured to spend spend spend for his tip that I'd have been more comfortable just giving him my purse so he could simply take my wallet and leave me alone. He finally caught on that more money was not forthcoming and provided decent service with ensuring we had water and wine glasses filled, and chatting. Atmosphere -- I like the main room, it looks like a piazza. They had a singer, Regan, she's good and doesn't bother you if you don't want the weirdness of someone hovering over your table while you eat and talk. It's a nice twist. Noting that I've never before heard the lounge singer rendition of My Immortal by Evanescence while I eat Italian at an upscale restaurant. Food - solidly good. Good, not mind blowing great. Many things that shouldn't be are covered with a piece of round provolone and slipped under heat for a minute before coming out. The tomato sauce is terrific, smooth and well balanced. Very tasty options. Will I be back? Maybe. If so, I would not hesitate to specifically avoid the hustler waiter.
(3)Eddie C.
One of the best overall Italian restaurants anywhere in Denver and always pleasant and a great dinner date location if you don't want to go far. Great food, great service not too loud atmosphere.
(5)Deno V.
Delicious food and great staff. Just fix the fly problem. I don't feel comfortable sitting in the solarium (that's where the problem is) knowing my plate, silverware and linen had flies on them before I sit down to eat.
(4)Stephanie P.
Authentic Italian at it's finest! My fiance and I are Italians from NY. We have definitely been missing our Italian "spots" since moving to Colorado. La Dolce Vita has now become our spot in our new home! Amazing food, amazing service. We couldn't be more pleased!
(5)Justin T.
One of the worst places to eat in castle rock, service is bad food is so bland, I wouldn't and don't recommend this place to anyone
(1)Amy A.
A great Italian restaurant nestled in tiny Castle Pines. We are regulars because of the cozy decor and atmosphere, great wine selection, wonderful mussels, and excellent service. We enjoy listening to the singer as well. She has a lovely voice and accepts song requests for tips. A good happy hour/date night place as well as nice to take clients and family.
(5)Jennifer K.
Eat here often. The pork Tuscany is incredible. Falls of the bone. My husband loves the seafood bisque. Sam always gives great service - he's the best.
(5)Chad N.
Both food and service are great.
(5)Nicolo D.
Beautiful interior and atmosphere, but the food was a bit of a let-down. Not awful, but certainly not worth coming back for.
(3)Brian C.
This is not only one of the worst Italian restaurants around, it is one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to. I order the daily special, which was supposed to include large chucks of crab meat. They must have ran out of the canned variety as there was NO crab meat in the dish. The pasta was probably el dente about 15 minutes before it was served. Mushy. Don't get me going on the waiter. He said he has been there for years. Inattentive and rude are as kind as I can be. Spend you restaurant dollars elsewhere.
(1)Heimlich M.
Scallop and shrimp appetizers were really good. Blackened shrimp and scallop entree was OK. Would not order again. Overall great food and really good pricing. Will be back.
(4)Greg W.
When you drive by La Dolce Vita, you see an Italian place in a strip mall and probably tend to pass right on by. Ever heard the phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover"? That is definitely the case here. Striding through the door, you find yourself thrown into a whole different place and time then you expect from the outside. Quaint and quiet with excellent Italian food. A lot of choices on the menu and some great specials as well. Sometimes they have live music. The song menu is longer then the dinner menu. I am told the most requested song is the theme from The Little Mermaid. Yes, they even cater to kids. There are a lot old classics on the song menu as well. Now for the food: Before you even order your meal, you get garlic knots. They are excellent, keep them coming throughout the meal. They are great for dipping in sauces as well. I enjoyed the Trio Special. Steak with a demi glace, grilled fish and shrimp with a light alfredo sauce. Asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes rounded out the meal. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. My wife enjoyed the Blackened Shrimp and Scallops with a Gorgonzola cream sauce. She is not a big cheese fan and as we all know, Gorgonzola is a pretty weighty cheese. I almost talked her out of it, but figured I would trade meals if she did not like the heavy cheese. This is an excellent dish. The cream sauce is perfect. Not too heavy, not to sweet, with enough cream and cheese to balance each other out. I had to jump in and try it before she finished it off! This evening was a birthday celebration for my oldest daughter, so we had some of the kids in tow. The birthday girl had the Chicken Parmesan. Fresh warm and delectable was her description. I was also told the Penne alfredo with shrimp was creamy and made to order. It usually does not come with penne pasta. Have it your way. They don't mind. The Tortellini special was also excellent. A vary large portion. Scallops and shrimp accompanied the entree. Did I mention they cater to kids? My grand daughter had the Mac-n-cheese. Right out of the box, I presume. It was exactly what she wanted. I am very glad they did not try and dress it up. For desert, the birthday girl had the chocolate mousse. It was light and fluffy as a mousse should be. An excellent end to an excellent meal. I have been here twice now and have enjoyed both visits. The wait staff are attentive and hard working. Several are always buzzing around the tables waiting on their patrons. We did not have any issues getting anything at all. Our waiter received a very nice tip for his trouble. You know we will be back.
(5)Glen P.
I can't reconcile all these great reviews with my experience last night. Poor service to begin with, to the point where I had to get up and get my own water. The menu is pretty extensive and frankly, pricey for what you ultimately get. You're paying a premium for merely average food, and it shows. The chicken Marsala was a joke; a thin cruel little slice of chicken poorly cooked (Seared to the point of hardened skin) and slathered in their "Marsala" sauce - ugh. Just terrible. And for $20, it's a rip off.
(2)Joseph S.
This is a place where you immediately feel right at home. The service is absolutely excellent. The food is good. I'd recommend the lamb. I had the trio which included sausage but it was a little bit overdone. The decor is honestly tacky.
(3)Mark D.
Not sure why we tempted fate again... We tried La Dolce again... BOOO! Honestly I don't have anything good to say.. I still can't figure out what other people see in this place...
(1)Jen R.
We have lived in CP for 10 years. We want nothing more than a good Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this isn't it. We have never had a good meal here. Every 3-4 years we try again and tonight was more of the same. The service and atmosphere were good but the food was disappointing. We had the mixed grill and the veal piccata. At $20+/plate they came out as fast as a $10 burrito. While it is convenient to get your food quickly, these shouldn't be fast food plates. The food wasn't fresh, was swimming in sauce that had been boiling all day, and other than salt lacked flavor.
(1)Michelle G.
Very good friendly service both at the bar and the patio. My fish left a little to be desired but was still good. My dates shrimp dish was amazing!! Will be back!!!
(4)Blake H.
Outstanding service. Great food. The atmosphere is amazing. You can beat it when it comes to value. Will definitely be returning.
(5)Mike B.
Great food, great service, and great atmosphere!! Look forward to trying something else on the menu!! Thank you for a wonderful evening!!
(5)Devin A.
Terrible service (waaaaay over priced). Average food. Filthy restaurant = 2 stars (at best)
(2)Cat S.
We ordered take out from La Dolce Vita based on the good reviews it received. Maybe it was the fact that it was take out? But I didn't get why it's so special. First of all: when you look at the online menu, know that the prices are off. Online menu says Spaghetti & Meatballs = 10$ and we were charged $13 and the Salmon Pacifico was supposed to be 13/14$ but we were charged $18.95. In addition to the incorrect menus: I think the price is way too high for the food that you get. The spaghetti/meatballs was really nothing special. Something you can make at home for less than $5. The salmon was a little too overcooked and drenched in the lemon butter sauce (which, because the box had so much butter sauce, it leaked all over our other food - which I suppose isn't a terrible thing because it IS lemon butter... :D). Overall, was a bit disappointed. Service on the phone was excellent, but we were made to wait 5 minutes in the front when we were picking up the food. No hostess. Bartender sees us, but nothing is done. Sigh. Maybe next time, we'll eat in - the place IS gorgeous.
(3)Matt S.
The food is great but the service is below par. For the amount of money some of the items on the menu are, I expect the service to be great, which it isn't.
(3)Kimberly I.
If you like falling into a food coma after overindulging on garlic knots, italian pastas, and delicious appetizers, then this is your place. (or you can learn self control, which I know nothing about when I come here) This place has been one of my family's favorite places for years. From the romantic and relaxing ambiance, to the delicious food, to the woman singing songs of your choice throughout the dining room. (Although that can sometimes become irritating after non-stop singing for 2 hours) I came here on a date this trip which made for a perfect setting. We started with a glass of Pinot Grigio, which my waiter was gladly repeating for us with an Italian accent! We also ordered the stuffed mushroom appetizer. What a combination of flavors!!!! These mushrooms were stuffed with italian stuffing and lump crab, drizzled with lemon butter, and baked. YUM/BAD! eek. We each got a side house salad, which was good, and then shared an entree. For dinner we got the spinach pasta with shrimp and scallops in a cream sauce. This place is definitely not for the faint of heart. Even sharing we were too full for dessert. Overall, we had an amazing dinner. The dim lighting and the excellent service topped everything off. If you live in Colorado and haven't been here, this is a must try.
(5)Liz A.
The food here is very good. The bread was spectacular and the Mozzarella Caprese had a lovely balsamic reduction on it that was soooooo very tasty. The ambiance was really quite nice as well. The place has a nice romantic, yet laid back feel to it. I will be back... oh yes.
(5)J D.
Surprising find in Castle Pines, an area that otherwise is limited to chain restaurants in strip malls. The pesto penne pasta was excellent, as was the scallops and shrimp with risotto. The caesar salad was just average. We appreciated the generous servings of free garlic rolls. The service was superb -- the wait staff is extremely attentive. The singer wandering around the restaurant with the cordless mic was a bit kitschy, but the atmosphere was otherwise great.
(4)Chris M.
This is my FAVORITE Italian restaurant.... I was SO shocked when I walked from a boring suburban strip mall into the heart of an Italian village. The atmosphere is absolutely perfect. I've been three times, twice on Valentines day and once in December. They have amazing singers that walk amongst the tables taking requests, it's not too loud or too quiet... the wait staff is the best, they have a great wine list and OMGosh the food is just fabulous. I've had various pasta chicken dishes that were splendid.. The first time I went I ordered the ceasar salad and the waiter came out to say they'd run out of their dressing but the chef would prepare some from scratch if that was ok... WOW it was better than OK, probably the best ceasar salad I've ever had. They also had free valet parking for Valentines Day since it gets blown out.. So make reservations if it's a special occasion. OH! and the tableside bananas foster was yummy yummy! Guys if you want to get brownie points with your lady.. take her here! ladolcevitacastlepines.n…
(5)Ryan W.
The food was great. We ate on the bar to get happy hour price on the drinks. I had pizza and my wife had shrimp scampi. Both were great.
(5)Charles H.
Food was very good and the service was outstanding. Was a little on the pricey side. I suppose it was worth it, I just wasn't expecting the price tag. Wasn't extremely expensive, but more than Olive Garden or Carrabba's. That said, the food really was much better than Olive Garden...not sure that is saying much though.
(4)Greg P.
My first and only five-star rating! I've eaten here about a half dozen times since it opened, so why haven't I been here more? The number one reason would be location, hardly anyone I know wants to make the drive down to Castle Pines no matter how many times I tell them how much it's worth it. If this restaurant was located centrally in Denver it would be all the rage and it would be well known as the #1 recommendation for visitors largely because of its Italian villa ambience, the likes of which I'm not aware of anywhere in Denver. Neither Carmine's on Penn, Pagliacci's, Lechuga's, Venice, Il Fornaio, Cafe Jordano, Pasquini's, Maggiano's, etc. can touch the detailed and comforting aesthetic offered by La Dolce Vita. Moreover, this is simply the best Italian restaurant in the state of Colorado. It's only a LITTLE pricier (if not equal in price) than some of the above-mentioned restaurants but so worth it, stopping short of being snooty even though it's the Castle Pines richie-riches that keep this place in business. I always get the Eggplant Parmigiana and it's the best I've ever had. I've tried it at all the other restaurants since it's my staple order at Italian places. Fresh ingredients are key in fine cuisine (more so than seasonings) and La Dolce Vita prepares everything with that fundamental in mind. This last visit however, I took my first departure from the eggplant and had the Seafood Scampi. I should have had the eggplant, but hold on, the scampi held-up its head high anyway, it's just that the eggplant is that good! The scampi had plump sea scallops, well-sized fresh shrimp (almost impossible to find anymore!), mussels and clams with steamed veggies and fettuccini in a nice butter sauce. Oh and before the entree, I must also mention my intense shock as I was served the SMALL Caesar Salad (a la carte): Is this someone else's dinner? What?! This is only $3?!! That, coupled with the complimentary Garlic Knots signaled to me that I was definitely having leftovers the next day! The bread (knots) is still extremely fresh, the best of soft breads really, just not as flavorful as they once were, I had substantial helpings of my family's entrees too, including the Penne Rustica, which is the worst thing I've ever had here which is to say, better than many things at other restaurants. This is the first time that I've ever ate anything at La Dolce Vita thinking that another restaurant could top this with some effort. I wasn't sure why they called it a cream sauce when it just tasted like marinara. Still, it's a good dish. The last sampling I had was the Lasagna and it was HEAVENLY!! Holy cow, next time I come here I'm ordering this! I had an innate, close-my-eyes response to it, marveling at how immaculately this had to be prepared given the conventional ingredients for this staple dish. How did they do it? How did they make it such a sensory experience where I want to make metaphors of clouds...with Lasagna?! WOW!! I ended with the Tiramisu, my requisite dessert order at all Italian eateries. I"ve had this so many times at so many different places that I've lost track of how to rate them. This was amongst the best but not THE best. However, that's likely due in large part that this was a Monday night at the beginning of the xmas season so there were few patrons and therefore, little reason to take the pan carrying the dessert out of the cooler, thereby sacrificing that coveted freshness I adore (if they constantly thawed and cooled it). It would be a waste of money! So the tiramisu didn't cut so softly as expected since it was a little too cold but still, you could sense the freshness and appreciate the care in it's preparation and presentation (the plate was drizzled with a chocatle-fruit sauce of some sort). It was a sizeable portion and had it been a weekend, where it could have come to room temp. with the expectation of many orders, it would have been perfect! Another mentionable is that on Fri./Sat. nights there is a roving singer who takes requests from a list she carries with her and she is good. And it really doesn't make the place feel exclusively romantic, I've always been here with family and my little daughter and it works (as long as you have kids that don't mind behaving during a long dinner). Now if this restaurant goes out of business like the very worthy Celtic Crossing did at the other end of this strip mall, then I guarantee to go postal! Go here and understand why we need this, keep it in business! That's it! I'm going there for lunch tomorrow!
(5)Nancy M.
I was just wondering around the internet looking for something interesting near Castle Pines and saw a picture on their web site. We had 6 with us for lunch today and I thought the place was great. The decor was even more over the top than I had expected. The waiter was great and explained the menu and wine list. He had plenty of time since it is fairly quiet at lunch. We ordered 2 of the specials - one with scallops and shrimp and the other with blackened chicken. We asked for spicy Marinara sauce and that's what we received. The lasagna was great along with the ravioli and we had great service. We also ordered the chocolate lava cake with ice cream and the Bananas Foster. We had a nice long lunch and really enjoyed this special place. You didn't feel at all like it was in a strip mall setting.
(4)Edgardo T.
Love Dolce Vita. Great service, good food and even better Happy Hour. But what makes this place awesome is Sam. We have been coming here for a few years now and the service from Sam is consistently awesome. It's great when you are greeted as family by name. He remembers your favorite wine, your kids names and favorite drinks. So great place but Sam makes it feel like home! Please ask for Sam so you can see what great service is!!I
(5)John A.
Very good! Took the family and there was soothing good for everyone - we'll be back
(4)Janet H.
We had an avocado and crab appetizer that was great. Seafood on linguini was light and spicy. We also had shrimp, scallop with lemon sauce over risotto with asparagus. Both seafood dishes were great. Salads were just okay. Portions are big so we shared 2 meals btwn 3 people and the were fine with that. Service was okay but friendly. We were in the side room and it was so loud it was difficult to talk.
(4)Jim G.
Food is fantastic. Great seafood and italian. Prices are very reasonable. Service is wonderful. It is always a specal treat to go here. My entire family loves going here. Don't be intimidated by the outside. The atmosphere inside is "Little Italy".
(5)Rachel R.
The service was great. The servers were extremely nice and even went as far as to do their best to quiet a screaming child. However, the food was sub-par. The calamari seemed as if it came frozen, definitely not fresh. My scampi was horrible. The sauce on both of my parent's meals were fantastic, but the veal was fairly tough. The tiramisu was fantastic though!
(3)Amy Z.
Our food was okay, but it took forever to get come out. I think this was mainly due to the large prom parties that were present. The minestrone was nothing special, and the dessert was too sweet. However, the rolls are fantastic. The wait staff was also very kind and attentive.
(3)Keith W.
Great food, very children friendly (crayons, paper, kids menu - what child doesn't like spagetti?). They have a 3 course menu for 2 people ... cheaper than ordering a la carte off the menu and a good selection!
(4)