We were strolling through town and saw a prix fixe menu for $25 per person including appetizer, entree and dessert, a real deal in this ski town (January only). We quickly made a reservation for four guests the next evening. When we arrived we were seated in a window seat as requested and greeted by our friendly waitress. She was very attentive and professional. We appreciated two servers bringing out all food at the same time so everything stayed hot. We tried the drink specials of the day, the black cherry old fashioned was the hit of the evening. The food was outstanding, not typical Italian, much more creative. For appetizers we had the beef carpaccio, kale/brussel sprout salad and mussels. Each one was a winner, we even needed more freshly grilled bread to lap up the spicy but not too spicy mussel sauce. My husband hates brussel sprouts and thought the salad fantastic. For mains we had the Lamb Pappardelle, fall off the bone tender over perfect al dente noodles in a rich broth. You can tell some good love went into making this dish. We also had the seafood cannelloni, rich but done to perfection. For dessert they were out of the chocolate dessert tarts, but since they had a bit of the pudding left Chris, the owner came out with a taster for each of us. That would be my choice for my return visit. This restaurant is truly top notch and a must for your next visit to Crested Butte.
(5)
Carolyn P.
Every time we come out to CB, we head to Bacchanale for dinner and it never disappoints. The food is absolutely delicious and the prices are more than fair. I usually go for the pasta dishes and you can't go wrong with any of them. The scallop and shrimp in vodka sauce is the perfect amount of heat and tomato. We tried the fried artichoke hearts this weekend and they were perfectly crisp and the aioli was delightful. The only sad thing is that I never seem to have enough room to try out their desserts - I need to learn to pace myself through dinner!
(5)
Michael H.
Sister restaurant to Django's. We liked it. The staff was very caring and attentive. Had some issues with the food. The pappardelle was wonderful, house made wide noodles with Colorado lamb. But the Panzanella salads disappointed. Usually bread is one of the main ingredients, but we found it lacking. Calamari and beef carpaccio appetizers were good, but short of great. Wine list was all Italian, and staff did not know the wines well enough to recommend some.
(4)
Alexander S.
If in Crested Butte, then you should not miss eating here. First of all, making reservations online is a breeze, they are super well organized and use newest apps and technology. Wait staff is great, drinks even better. I usually start off with an Italian beer, which they understand how to pour. The dishes are very unique in their composition and the tastes are masterfully combined. Bacchanale is a sister-restaurant of Django's up in Mt Crested Butte, and Kate Ladoulis, the chef never stops to amaze me. Bacchanale is the more rustic version, and of course heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, however, I wouldn't really call it an Italian restaurant. But that's not meant as a negative comment- in the contrary- nice contrast to all those same-old Italian pasta and pizza places. I go there every time I am in CB and can only recommend it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, because I gave Django's 5 stars. And if you have ever eaten at Django's you know why.
(4)
Kendall T.
Bacchanale is open with new owners just last month, so please don't judge on older reviews. We had a great meal. The brussel sprout and kale salad was amazing, we had 3 different veggie sides and two meat entrees. Polenta fries, cauliflower and the meatballs are all things I would order again. I almost forgot the flatbread that we got as a starter. It was incredible too. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
John K.
Went here for dinner on a Wednesday night with 6 people based mostly on the great reviews. We were disappointed. It's a really nice looking place but the service and food wasn't all that great. The make your own bruschetta was good. But getting some extra bread was a major problem. Took 15 minutes to get the extra bread by that time dinner was coming out. The food sounds so interesting on the menu but it was just ok when it came. The chicken came out half cooked and the steaks over cooked. I had the wild boar sausage with beans and it tasted fine ( a little dry but ok). There needed to be something along with it other than just a big plate of beans. The veggie lasagna was good but it looked kind if sad and lonely all by itself on the plate. The other thing that was kind of weird was the fact that we sat upstairs and the waiter could only bring two things at a time. Drinks or food. With a party of six that's three trips just to get our drinks. They need to buy a few trays. The last pet peeve was the drinks. They were just ok generally and one of our group ordered rum and coke. The first was undrinkable we thought it was the rum so ordered it with different rum. Also undrinkable it was the coke that was bad. To the restaurants credit they did take them off the bill. Maybe a bad night but not a great experience.
(3)
Laurie K.
Awesome creative food. The ingredients are fresh and seasonal. I especially like the bruschetta toppings. Fava beans-yum. Strawberries macerated with balsamic vinegar and goat cheese-out of this world!
(5)
Jimie D.
I have been to Bacchanale 3 times for breakfast! The homemade pastries and delicious fresh baked doughnuts are a highlight. The authenticity of the flavors and the atmosphere rival restaurants in Italy. The coffee is made to order and the best I've ever sipped. I love the tables and bench seats - it is so cozy!
(5)
Griggs N.
One of the oldest restaurants in Crested Butte, the Bacchanale manages to stick around while many others come and go. Pretty standard Italian fare. Everyone should be be able to find something filling and tasty on the menu. As the previous reviewer noted, the Fra Diavolo dishes are quite good and one of the house specialties. My other faves are the deep fried pasta appetizers and the gnocchi when they are on the menu. They have a pretty good wine selection, locally brewed beer on tap from the Eldo next door, and other good micro-brews in bottles. The bar is spacious and can be a nice spot to grab a bite to eat if you find yourself having to wait for a table. Flying solo? Stick to the bar. The bar tenders are quite friendly and knowledgeable about the western slope. Learn what your next bike or hike trail or ski run should be, find out where to hang after dinner or what the latest gossip is. If you're really nice they might even share their secret stash of pow-pow with you.
(4)
Jack H.
We have a winner. Admittedly, I am grading somewhat on the curve, taking into account that this is Crested Butte, not Chicago, but it is still unquestionable that we had a great meal last night. The calamari were lightly breaded and sauteed quickly--not the battered and deep-fried concoction that you usually see. I was just about to complain about them being limp when I noticed that they tasted wonderful. I surveyed the table and everyone agreed--these were calimari-calimari, not fried-chicken-calamari. The sliced eggplant starter was also enjoyable--unafraid to be simple and straightforward. It was garnished with a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar that another reviewer complained about, but it worked and that was the only balsamic appearance of the evening. I share the sentiment about the balsamic thing getting out of hand, but we detected no such plague. Daughter had the vegetable cannelloni and raved. I can only comment on its appearance, which was gorgeous. Wife had the chicken piccatta--more raves. I had linguine with shrimp and scallops. You usually see a white sauce or a simple olive oil finish when seafood is involved, but the hearty red on this plate was delicious, reminiscent of a zuppa di pesce. What really nailed me was that the seafood was plump, juicy, and flavorful, yielding to the touch of the fork. It had to be fresh, but I have no idea how you would get fresh scallops to Crested Butte before they turned to cat food. Enjoyed a swell bottle of Sangiovese from Montepulciano at a not-insane price. The wine list was full of good choices, but not particularly friendly to a beginner. If you're unfamiliar with Italian wines, it would be a good idea to get help from the wait staff. The room was impressive, with high ceilings that soared to a lofty balcony dining area. We had a table at the rail upstairs and enjoyed the view. The only bad tables appear to be large-group settings in the back room upstairs. Don't get stuck there. As we have found at every Crested Butte restaurant, the service was excellent. Lots of hustle, lots of laughs. A complete delight. If there is a clunker, it is the owner's dopey sense of humor, which comes through on the menu and the staff's t-shirts. Dopey humor is okay, but not in the context of such a high-quality dining experience. Zip it and focus on the stove.
(5)
C. K.
My wife and I dined at Bacchanale during their 3-course, $25 Prix Fixe menu in early 2015. If value was the only consideration than this review would be a glowing five stars as you really will never find a better meal at this price point anywhere yet alone in Crested Butte. While my wife and I did have an overall good experience there were some details that- if addressed, could easily make this a five star restaurant in addition to a five star value. The host/owner was the nicest guy in the restaurant... very attentive towards all guests and he alone almost made this a 4 star review. So why three stars... Our meal took two hours and 15 minutes from sitting at the table to walking out the door. The restaurant wasn't busy (50% full) so the kitchen wasn't in the weeds. I'd put the blame more on our server who didn't properly time the submission of the different courses. That can be tricky, particularly if you have other tables (but it wasn't very busy). We believe our server could be trained a bit better here as he also mispronounced multiple menu items. The food itself was well prepared. Our first course meals were both excellent (eggplant and kale salad). The second course was also quite good (stripped bass and lamb Pappardelle). My lamb was great but could have used a bit more depth (it was a little one-note). While my wife's stripped base was excellently prepared it wasn't anything we couldn't prepare at home. The dessert was mixed. The deconstructed tiramisu really needs a look (if not removed from the menu). You have to have a really deep understanding of textures, flavors, and ingredients (quantity & quality here) to deconstruct something properly. This was a total miss in my book. Lastly, sitting in a chair for 2 hours and 15 minutes makes you reflect on the chair itself. They're aluminum and in the dead of winter it doesn't matter how warm your restaurant is your butt is going to be cold because you're still sitting on a cold metal chair. Sitting on a hard, cold surface for two hours and 15 minutes sort of makes you more critical than you would likely normally be. Again, great value and overall very good food. The service was just far too slow and far too inconsistent. This place could be exceptional with very little work.
(3)
Greg R.
Probably the best Italian meal my wife and I have ever had. The chef at this restaraunt is extremely talented. The presentation was great as well as the atmosphere. And a 3-course fixed price menu for $25???? Astounding!
(5)
Kevin M.
I met Chris, the owner during my visit. I enjoyed it so much that I visited Django's up at the resort the next night. The Braised Lamb "Pappardelle" was amazing. I did not order it, but my date did. It was mouth watering. I ordered the Boar and Beans, still very impressive. I just wished I had some bread to soak up all the delicious sauce of the two dishes.
(4)
James W.
Love the Bac! Always great food and service. The Chocolate Budino Tart is the best dessert in town!
(5)
Josh T.
The atmosphere and food were great. We really enjoyed the fixed price menu and the selections were good. We had the Boar & Beans along with the Cantalone del Mar. Both were very tasty. The drinks were average and the price was pretty good for the town in ski season.
(4)
Maureen M.
I have mixed feelings about giving 3 stars. The good: Loved the atmosphere. The food was delicious. We had a couple of the bruschettas, and arancia balls. The arancia balls were delicious! I ordered the bass, which was pretty good. The meh: Only 2 beers available, which disappointed me. It's Italian, I get it. However, I feel like every place in Colorado needs to have some sort of craft beer. The bad: We were there for a girls' night out for the bride & had a reservation of 9. They sat us upstairs. After the drinks & appetizers were delivered, we were informed that we had to move. Apparently there was a birthday party in the other room. They were under the impression that their party could spill over into the area we were seated in. Basically, the party thought they had the entire 2nd floor. It was clear that these people spent $$$ and had a professional photographer. This meant we didn't matter. They did nothing to accommodate us. Our waitress was not so great either. My aunt ordered a glass of wine twice & I ordered a 2nd beer that took forever. It was not busy & the bar was right behind us. When we inquired about the drinks, she gave us attitude. Why the 3 stars? The food. The atmosphere. That's it. It probably deserves 2.5 stars.
(3)
Nikki G.
Made a reservation because the reviews were really good. I'm a vegetarian and they ran out of the one vegetarian pasta option (they had a salad, but I was already getting that, plus I don't consider that a dinner option). They did say they could throw something together which was pretty good, but then they charged me the same price ($18) for my dish of pasta with a little bit of asparagus as they did the others at the table who got shrimp and scallops. Our table all had the same vodka sauce on our dishes which was so spicy my mom couldn't eat her meal. I thought the spice was ok, but definitely warranted a warning on the menu or from the waitress. Definitely not a place I would go back on my next visit to Crested Butte considering there are so many other restaurants to choose from.
(2)
Mary H.
After all the recent 5 stars, I was eager to try this place out, which we did last night. Sigh. It all sounded so good. Too bad it wasn't. First, they managed to take off the menu two of the most intriguing (and yelped about) things: the flatbreads (pizzas) and the BYOBruschetta!! Even the waitress, for whom the BYOB was a favorite, was mystified -- she said they might occasionally bring back the flatbread as a special. Do the owners even bother to check out customer feedback on Yelp? Apparently not. Tried 2 appetizers, which were the best part of the meal: eggplant pillows - lovely, light, with a spritz of balsamic vinegar. artichoke tempura - delicious w the aioli the perfect accompaniment. Then there were the salads: the bean salad wasn't bad, but it wasn't 5 stars. Again, the balsamic vinegar. the chopped salad - the same. Again, the balsamic vinegar. (ATBV) the caprize salad - I've had better. ATBV Can they think of nothing else to flavor everything with other than balsamic vinegar? Good olive oil can really enhance some italian dishes -- it seemed to be missing, as did garlic, in anything. The main events were mostly disappointing: the linguini was the best - plump shrimp (even if only 3) and a nice fresh sauce. the meatballs were... meatballs, nothing special. the lamb pasta was a bowl of large flat noodles with gravy and a few bits of lamb ... really, is that the best you can do? didn't check out the other standard dishes (steaks, chicken, etc) which are done well throughout the rest of CB... I can always get those elsewhere. the chocolate torte was okay, altho that salt thing is so yesterday (and so stupid to begin with, given the problems of the average overly salty American diet). the chocolate sorbet ended up being a lightly chocolate flavored scoop of grade B ice cream... and here I was dreaming of possibly getting a dark chocolate icy concoction that reminded me of the Italian ices of my youth. Won't be coming back... there are better places to check out in CB....
(3)
Walter A.
Reservation at 8 o'clock. Not seated until 8:45. Server was great - she was very friendly and outgoing BUT... It took at least 30 minutes for first course/salads to come out. Then we waited another 45 minutes for entrees. Add this all up and we were not done eating until after 11pm. The manager visited several times to apologize and even brought out desert on the house - a plus but still a really rough experience given that the reservation was already on the late side (for us at least). Also, for context, it wasn't *that* crowded. When we arrived, most tables were occupied but by the time our salads arrived the place was half empty and by the time our entrees arrived, we were one of only a few tables still eating. Food was good. Not excellent, but good. We shared a Chopped Salad, appetizer of Meatballs, and Braised Lamb Pappardelle. The Chopped salad was very good - well dressed, with a great mix of ingredients, etc. The Meatballs and the Lamb were okay but both were very under seasoned, almost bland. There is only so much that table salt can do. This was a surprising experience for us given that we absolutely love their other restaurant, Django's, which is always spot on with food and service. Hopefully, just an off night for them.
(3)
M M.
This was our favorite restaurant during our week-long stay in Crested Butte. They had a range of vegetarian options for my friends, and excellent hot toddys!
(5)
Anne A.
We were hopeful about this dinner because we met the owners last year and they stressed the family friendliness of this restaurant. So we arrived only to find out they recently did away with kids menu. Kids had option of pasta with butter or marinara. That was $6 plus cost for drink and another $4 for a meatball. As for the grown ups, we got calamari hoping kids would eat. It was okay, bland sauce. The eggplant pillows were definitely tasty. The caprese salad was ok but needed more basil. We shared the trout. It was good but nothing to write home about. As for dessert, the stand out of the whole meal was the Chocolate tart. Wow was it good! Definitely better than lemon cake (which was good but no comparison to chocolate). Service was decent. But we had to ask for silverware multiple times and a wine chiller for white wine. For almost $200 for dinner, expected a lot more.
(2)
Jonathan B.
I'm a huge fan. Huge. Kate and Chris, the masterminds behind the new Bacchanale and Django's, have really shown their abilities on this one. The makeover is subtle, but inspiring. The menu is every bit as inventive as Django's. It's not your typical Italian place, but who wants typical? We started with the cocktails. My Boulevardier (bull-ihv-ARD-ee-ay) was outstanding - a new take on the traditional Manhattan. My wife's Arantini was equally as good if you are looking for something slightly sweeter. We started with the BYOB: "Build Your Owen Bruschetta." We took the owner's advice and tried the spice tomato jam and the anchovies. Amazing. Not advertised with the BYOB, but a great addition is the delicious imported reduced balsamic vinegar. It is the perfect addition to any bruschetta regardless how you build it. We continued with the kale and Brussel sprout salad. Like the sister restaurant, they do an interesting take on Brussel sprouts and this salad is to die for. Just fantastic. My wife had the linguini and clams baked in parchment and I had the meatballs as an entree. I've never had a better meatball. It was meat butter. So smooth and rich and delicious. My wife really liked the linguini but our son ate all the clams which means they were probably also awesome. For dessert we splurged. We tried the crepes, chocolate torte, and gelato. All were delicious, but chocolate torte was spectacular. Drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with salt, this dessert goes beyond most chocolate desserts. It's a must, in my opinion. Like it's sister restaurant, Bacchanale has an excellent wine list. Most of it is imported and beyond my knowledge, but I've always been very pleased with the staff recommendations. If you're in Crested Butte, you should give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Trisha S.
There were 4 of us and we all chose different entrees and we were all very satisfied. The braised lamb pappardelle was the favorite as well as the eggplant pillow appetizer. This restaurant is a keeper!
(4)
Carolyn P.
My boyfriend and I were in town for a ski weekend and looking for a date-night spot. This restaurant did not disappoint! The menu is set at a $25 prix-fixe with a couple additional options to supplement. A quick break-down of what we ordered: build your own bruchetta, meatballs, brussel kale salad, seafood cannelloni, braised lamb, tiramisu, and lemon polenta cake. All portions were large enough to satiate 2 very hungry skiiers, the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. I can't say enough. Just go there, eat great food, and see for yourself!
(5)
D P.
Thought this was a nice restaurant but was very surprised and disappointed. Waited an hour and still no food. Everyone making excuses for kitchen. Obviously too big of a dining room for kitchen. No manager on duty. Tried to give me the manager's card -----.....On a Saturday night. Avoid!
(1)
Chip G.
Bacchanale gets three stars instead of two simply because we didn't order a full meal. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt based on other reviews here. Both the appetizer menu and wine list are pretty limited. The fried zucchini was good and the portion size was huge. The house dressing, however, was almost completely tasteless and I'd rate the soup "average" at best. We were seated in a corner and felt forgotten, so I'd rate the service as slow even by Crested Butte standards. I was impressed with how the bartender handled an issue with a glass of wine, but the table service was poor. In all, it was a pretty forgettable experience.
(3)
Jamie W.
Since my last review of the Bacchanale, it has changed ownership. Matter of fact, it is a completely different restaurant. The interior has been renovated, the tables are new, the TVs are gone and the menu completely revised. The Bacchanale is no longer the old traditional Italian restaurant that has been there for many years (too many from a few people's perspective). Actually, I'm not sure I saw any traditional Italian dishes on the menu. To placate the people coming expecting the old restaurant, there were a couple slightly Italian inspired dishes, such as the veggie lasagna and the small three meatballs over a bed of tomatoes. But that was about it. Forget about finding spagetti bolognese, Italian sausages or a veal parm. Instead of an Italian restaurant, the new owners have gone for a small plate / tapas inspired menu. Think breads with spreads, cold appetizer meat plates, flatbreads with toppings, fish, and plenty of vegetarian dishes. Each one was delicious. The only one that was disappointing was the meatball dish, which had three small and very hard meatballs place over a very bland diced tomato base. The service was exceptional and very friendly. The only negative here was that we had reserved a table downstairs, which had already been given away even though we arrived early. Here's a tip for those seeking something Italian here still. You can ask for an off-menu side plate of linguine, but make sure to ask for a marinara sauce on top since it will come plain. It sure would be nice to see a broader range of desserts served in larger portions.
(3)
Arthur R.
this place was a great surprise... met some locals and they said it used to be soso, but new management a couple years back. My wife and I love clean food, great flavors, and great service. Bacchanale had it all -- one of the best meals in years..
Wonderful Italian dinner in Crested Butte! This place is incredible. Perfectly cooked, deliciously simple food and a great atmosphere. We have wonderful service, and everyone was so friendly! Wild boar pappardelle and striped bass were 5 star!
(5)
Lisa C.
Fantastic food, service and atmosphere. I never would have thought that brussel sprouts could be so delicious! The bruschetta mix was a fun appetizer and the chocolate budino tart made for a fabulous dessert. I recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Britt D.
I went to Bacchanale last weekend when the parents were in town. Overall, I can't wait to get back here. Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. We started with the build-your-own bruschetta (roasted mushrooms & spicy tomato jam) and salumi & cheese board. The portions were tiny for the salumi & cheese, but the combination with the bruschetta made for a nice variety of appetizers for 5 people. Oh, and the spicy tomato jam IS THE BOMB! I split the butternut squash lasagna with mom (huge portion), while the boys split the meatballs and boar sausage plates. Everything was delicious, though I think the boys would have each been happy with their own entree rather than splitting. I can't wait to go back again for that yummy (and shareable) lasagna. GREAT option for CB and reasonably priced for the experience, service, and quality of the food.
(4)
Carolyn M.
We had an incredible meal here, start to finish. We all shared a side of Brussel sprouts and it was fantastic. We later had the Brussel sprout salad, and can safely tell you to get the side, not the salad. The build-your-own bruschetta was a big hit with my family. The sun-dried tomato flatbread was delicious and basil-y. The prosciutto flat bread was a little rich for me, but still good. The arugula salad is a great combination of flavors. We had the pappardelle, which was incredibly rich but so good. I had the limoncello for dessert - perfect end to a great meal. Excellent, friendly service and reasonable prices. Convenient location.
(5)
Peanut B.
Love this place! We sat upstairs, there is sort of a balcony feel and you can look down on the bar. Our server, Milly (?sp), was really sweet. She was knowledgeable about the menu and wine. We started with the flatbread and Brussels sprouts, excellent. Everyone was happy with their entree, I will definitely return.
(5)
Tom H.
I never like restaurants where there is not a dum waiter for serving diners on the second floor. Since we sat on the second and there was no dum waiter it seemed as if it was a stretch for the wait staff to attend to our table which was a large group. It was incredibly noisy upstairs and the wait staff was unpolished. With that said an attempt at small plates for Italian food was noble but it left a lot to be desired. The best items on the menu were their flat breads which we had as table apps. For my main I had the steak which was very sub par. If we were to revisit we would only sit downstairs and more likely only sit at the bar and order their flatbreads with a nice wine until they hit their stride? 2/6/13. 2nd time is a charm. All and all much better service and we knew what to order.
(4)
Robert F.
Four of us had a great dining experience at Bacchanale. The egg plant and artichoke appetizers were stunning. The egg plant was delicately battered with a delicious balsamic reduction. The deep fried artichoke hearts were light and crispy. The signature meatballs and the caprese was perfectly paired with montepulciano wine. If you have a chance Bacchanale is a gem.
(5)
Tony K.
Another great meal and dining experience. Wife had a flatbread that was excellent. I had the meatballs and they were fabulous. Service was excellent and everyone was friendly.
(5)
Scott A.
What a treat. Booked online using open table and they had a spot for us. If you book a party of two I suggest the upstairs at the end of balcony where there is a circular table that overlooks the dining room below. Great ambiance with intriguing decor. When you order make sure to include the Bruschetta with three spreads or you will be sorry! It is truly a masterpiece all by itself. The 12 year old aged Balsamic came in a bottle with an eye dropper and had the consistency of syrup. SO GOOD!!! I had the kale salad which I would recommend, also had the Brussels sprouts which were good but had just a bit too much butter. Thankfully I had reserved the balsamic that came with the bruschetta which helped give it a little acid. The main course was the Bistecca served with mash potatoes and spinach. I ate every bite and even the small amount of fat melted in your mouth like butter. It was cooked perfectly and had the right seasoning and I would order it again. The special of the day was a Colorado Bass that served over Faro. It had a good flavor but was drenched in butter and a little lemon would have gone a long way to acidify the dish. Overall this was a great meal where we were able to linger and savor the food. I would go back and recommend it as a solid choice for a culinary experience.
(4)
Peggy B.
Valentine's Day Dinner, party of 12. Dinner with friends and family. Seated quickly (6pm) upstairs. Other half of our party arrived a little later but feel like we were forgotten. Seemed most other tables filled after we arrived, were served & left. Not happy about delay w/ food. House Chianti Great! Kids ordered fried cheese appetizer, great presentation, huge, empty cheese sticks . Kids happy w/ buttered pasta. Salad ok. Forgot one salad. Split dinner of highly recommended Fra Diovolo Eggplant & Scallops with pasta. Eggplant overcooked, scallops ok. Not much on pasta. Husband said Lasagna Ok , not to come back for. Best part of the evening was being with family and friends. Hate to give not so good review, have learned not to eat out on Valentine's Day, we were on vacation. Would give restaurant another chance on not so busy day.
(3)
Laura L.
Nice dinner! Great service.
(4)
Scott A.
we ate at Bacchanale twice in February and both times it was excellent. The decor is modern but warm and the food is wonderful. One night we just had meats, cheeses and little plates to share with some wine and that was great. Another night we had a more standard app/main and those were also very good. We eat at a ton of great restaurants in NYC and Bacchanale could hold its own with many of them. They have a good wine list and the service is excellent as well
(4)
Blaise M.
Best pasta/Italian in all of CB! Order to share.
(5)
Norma K.
The appetizers were just OK. We were only 1/2 thru & they brought our mains. They took them back (don't know what happened to them-given to someone else or kept warm under a lamp). When they were brought out again, they were less than just OK. Chicken under a brick was plain roast chicken-I've made better at home. The owner came over & asked where we liked to eat in town, & when we told her she started telling us how bad it was - not cool!! Won't go back, ever!!
(2)
Gary D.
Visited Bacchanale after having an outstanding dinner at sister restaurant Django. The atmosphere, drinks and service were equally good here, but the food was a little disappointing. Highly recommeded meatball dish was only okay. The flatbreads were quite good and the "build your own bruschetta" was interesting. The linguini with clams in parchment was bland and uninspired other than the parchment presentation. The papardelle was excellent, although the portions are small, almost as if the restaurant is trying to determine if it is a tapas place like Django, or more traditional plating. Chris, the owner is outstanding and a big draw. I will visit again if the menu changes a bit
(3)
Kaylyn K.
We enjoyed our meal at this quaint Italian restaurant, but the entrees were a bit over-priced and service was slow. Small salad included with entrees. Fra Diavolo and Vegetable Canneloni were tasty. Overall, standard Italian dishes. Limited wine selection.
(3)
Sills R.
Wonderful, inventive Italian food at very reasonable prices. Lots of expensive restaurants in this town mot worth the price, but this one should not be missed!!!!! Great from appetizers to entrees to dessert. Try the bruschettas, the meatballs and don't miss the chocolate budding tart!
(5)
Suzie-Annie C.
Rick (our cook maybe owner) was great as he prepared an awesome meal. There was just two of us and service was good, they made sure we had all that we needed. I had Grilled Salmon over Linguine with a butter sauce and the person I was with ordered Cantaloni. After a long day of skiing we sure enjoyed a nice warm meal. Good stuff!
(5)
Anna M.
Tasting menu was amazing. 1st Course: meatballs A+ eggplant pillows A+ (but maybe more sauce & goat cheese cuz it was so good) 2nd Course: Canelloni di Mare A+ (at 1st seemed plain but after a few bites you couldnt get enough) Dessert: Tiramisu B (scope of ice cream with lady fingers and coffee was poured over it... had to eat fast cuz everything melted) Chocolate Tart B+ (could not cut with utensils but was very yumy just very small)
(5)
Wendy P.
Not your traditional red sauce Italian restaurant! Excellent prix fixe menu at $25 and worth it.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Very reasonable pricing for solid food in a ski town. 3 course prix fixe meal was $25. The cannelloni filled with seafood was the highlight. Really friendly staff too. Thanks!
(4)
Shane P.
We made a last minute reservation and had a fantastic meal with friendly service. We'll be back next time we're in CB.
My group wanted to have a nice meal while here for a short weekend and we settled on this after reading about the price fix menu and finidng that they took reservations. We walked in and were led upstairs to our table, the downstairs of the establishment is more of a bar and high top area, where the upstairs is dining only. I think that leads those who walk by on the street to occasionally look over this place as it's hard to see that there is a larger area for sit down dining. Holy Moly the $25 price fix menu they are currently offering is a GREAT deal! I started by ordering the mussels fra diavolo. I thought I would get maybe 5 mussels but I got a whole bowl full with a yummy spicy broth that I could soak up with the grilled bread that accompanied the dish. A great start to the meal. For my main dish I enjoyed the 8 oz New York Flank steak with smashed potatoes and broccolini. The steak was topped with a flavored butter that was so so good. For dessert I ended the meal with the chocolate tart which was just a morsel in size but probably a good thing given how much wine and other food I had filled up on during the course of the meal. Service was great too. When there was a slight delay because of a larger party our server brought us a complimentary charcuterie plate and noted that our plates would be just a little while longer. Our drinks remain filled and even though we were getting a great deal we didn't feel like there was a lack of service because of that. A very enjoyable dining experience in Crested Butte!
(5)
Peggy P.
Eggplant pillows were way better than expected and could easily be dinner for person with smallish appetite. Ask for bread. Grilled Caesar salad was huge with unusual croutons. Lamb with pappardelle was okay but kind of soupy.
(4)
Smorga M.
We came here because we had heard the meatball appetizers were amazing and I have to say they were very, very good. Service is great and ambiance is spot on. I had the pesto bucatini pasta which was great. Overall this was a really good meal. If they could improve one thing it would be desert. They were fine but not wow
(4)
Ashlee B.
Gorgeous cuisine, very fresh ingredients & fantastic waitstaff! This is a "must" when in Crested Butte!
(4)
Matt G.
While our server was a pleasant guy the service itself was poor at best. Well over 15 minutes before our drink order was taken, a good 20 minutes to bring a second bottle of wine. The wait for 4 entrees was over an hour (and there were empty tables so the kitchen couldn't possibly have been that busy). The food was not impressive. Two Chicken Marsalas that looked like something Applebee's would turn out and a pasta dish with over-cooked noodles and a red sauce that was completely flavorless (sad to say but store-bought sauces put it to shame). The lone bright spot was a pasta dish with lamb, but batting .250 ain't that impressive. I'd advise you spend your time and money elsewhere.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Wendy K.
We were strolling through town and saw a prix fixe menu for $25 per person including appetizer, entree and dessert, a real deal in this ski town (January only). We quickly made a reservation for four guests the next evening. When we arrived we were seated in a window seat as requested and greeted by our friendly waitress. She was very attentive and professional. We appreciated two servers bringing out all food at the same time so everything stayed hot. We tried the drink specials of the day, the black cherry old fashioned was the hit of the evening. The food was outstanding, not typical Italian, much more creative. For appetizers we had the beef carpaccio, kale/brussel sprout salad and mussels. Each one was a winner, we even needed more freshly grilled bread to lap up the spicy but not too spicy mussel sauce. My husband hates brussel sprouts and thought the salad fantastic. For mains we had the Lamb Pappardelle, fall off the bone tender over perfect al dente noodles in a rich broth. You can tell some good love went into making this dish. We also had the seafood cannelloni, rich but done to perfection. For dessert they were out of the chocolate dessert tarts, but since they had a bit of the pudding left Chris, the owner came out with a taster for each of us. That would be my choice for my return visit. This restaurant is truly top notch and a must for your next visit to Crested Butte.
(5)Carolyn P.
Every time we come out to CB, we head to Bacchanale for dinner and it never disappoints. The food is absolutely delicious and the prices are more than fair. I usually go for the pasta dishes and you can't go wrong with any of them. The scallop and shrimp in vodka sauce is the perfect amount of heat and tomato. We tried the fried artichoke hearts this weekend and they were perfectly crisp and the aioli was delightful. The only sad thing is that I never seem to have enough room to try out their desserts - I need to learn to pace myself through dinner!
(5)Michael H.
Sister restaurant to Django's. We liked it. The staff was very caring and attentive. Had some issues with the food. The pappardelle was wonderful, house made wide noodles with Colorado lamb. But the Panzanella salads disappointed. Usually bread is one of the main ingredients, but we found it lacking. Calamari and beef carpaccio appetizers were good, but short of great. Wine list was all Italian, and staff did not know the wines well enough to recommend some.
(4)Alexander S.
If in Crested Butte, then you should not miss eating here. First of all, making reservations online is a breeze, they are super well organized and use newest apps and technology. Wait staff is great, drinks even better. I usually start off with an Italian beer, which they understand how to pour. The dishes are very unique in their composition and the tastes are masterfully combined. Bacchanale is a sister-restaurant of Django's up in Mt Crested Butte, and Kate Ladoulis, the chef never stops to amaze me. Bacchanale is the more rustic version, and of course heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, however, I wouldn't really call it an Italian restaurant. But that's not meant as a negative comment- in the contrary- nice contrast to all those same-old Italian pasta and pizza places. I go there every time I am in CB and can only recommend it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, because I gave Django's 5 stars. And if you have ever eaten at Django's you know why.
(4)Kendall T.
Bacchanale is open with new owners just last month, so please don't judge on older reviews. We had a great meal. The brussel sprout and kale salad was amazing, we had 3 different veggie sides and two meat entrees. Polenta fries, cauliflower and the meatballs are all things I would order again. I almost forgot the flatbread that we got as a starter. It was incredible too. I can't wait to go back.
(5)John K.
Went here for dinner on a Wednesday night with 6 people based mostly on the great reviews. We were disappointed. It's a really nice looking place but the service and food wasn't all that great. The make your own bruschetta was good. But getting some extra bread was a major problem. Took 15 minutes to get the extra bread by that time dinner was coming out. The food sounds so interesting on the menu but it was just ok when it came. The chicken came out half cooked and the steaks over cooked. I had the wild boar sausage with beans and it tasted fine ( a little dry but ok). There needed to be something along with it other than just a big plate of beans. The veggie lasagna was good but it looked kind if sad and lonely all by itself on the plate. The other thing that was kind of weird was the fact that we sat upstairs and the waiter could only bring two things at a time. Drinks or food. With a party of six that's three trips just to get our drinks. They need to buy a few trays. The last pet peeve was the drinks. They were just ok generally and one of our group ordered rum and coke. The first was undrinkable we thought it was the rum so ordered it with different rum. Also undrinkable it was the coke that was bad. To the restaurants credit they did take them off the bill. Maybe a bad night but not a great experience.
(3)Laurie K.
Awesome creative food. The ingredients are fresh and seasonal. I especially like the bruschetta toppings. Fava beans-yum. Strawberries macerated with balsamic vinegar and goat cheese-out of this world!
(5)Jimie D.
I have been to Bacchanale 3 times for breakfast! The homemade pastries and delicious fresh baked doughnuts are a highlight. The authenticity of the flavors and the atmosphere rival restaurants in Italy. The coffee is made to order and the best I've ever sipped. I love the tables and bench seats - it is so cozy!
(5)Griggs N.
One of the oldest restaurants in Crested Butte, the Bacchanale manages to stick around while many others come and go. Pretty standard Italian fare. Everyone should be be able to find something filling and tasty on the menu. As the previous reviewer noted, the Fra Diavolo dishes are quite good and one of the house specialties. My other faves are the deep fried pasta appetizers and the gnocchi when they are on the menu. They have a pretty good wine selection, locally brewed beer on tap from the Eldo next door, and other good micro-brews in bottles. The bar is spacious and can be a nice spot to grab a bite to eat if you find yourself having to wait for a table. Flying solo? Stick to the bar. The bar tenders are quite friendly and knowledgeable about the western slope. Learn what your next bike or hike trail or ski run should be, find out where to hang after dinner or what the latest gossip is. If you're really nice they might even share their secret stash of pow-pow with you.
(4)Jack H.
We have a winner. Admittedly, I am grading somewhat on the curve, taking into account that this is Crested Butte, not Chicago, but it is still unquestionable that we had a great meal last night. The calamari were lightly breaded and sauteed quickly--not the battered and deep-fried concoction that you usually see. I was just about to complain about them being limp when I noticed that they tasted wonderful. I surveyed the table and everyone agreed--these were calimari-calimari, not fried-chicken-calamari. The sliced eggplant starter was also enjoyable--unafraid to be simple and straightforward. It was garnished with a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar that another reviewer complained about, but it worked and that was the only balsamic appearance of the evening. I share the sentiment about the balsamic thing getting out of hand, but we detected no such plague. Daughter had the vegetable cannelloni and raved. I can only comment on its appearance, which was gorgeous. Wife had the chicken piccatta--more raves. I had linguine with shrimp and scallops. You usually see a white sauce or a simple olive oil finish when seafood is involved, but the hearty red on this plate was delicious, reminiscent of a zuppa di pesce. What really nailed me was that the seafood was plump, juicy, and flavorful, yielding to the touch of the fork. It had to be fresh, but I have no idea how you would get fresh scallops to Crested Butte before they turned to cat food. Enjoyed a swell bottle of Sangiovese from Montepulciano at a not-insane price. The wine list was full of good choices, but not particularly friendly to a beginner. If you're unfamiliar with Italian wines, it would be a good idea to get help from the wait staff. The room was impressive, with high ceilings that soared to a lofty balcony dining area. We had a table at the rail upstairs and enjoyed the view. The only bad tables appear to be large-group settings in the back room upstairs. Don't get stuck there. As we have found at every Crested Butte restaurant, the service was excellent. Lots of hustle, lots of laughs. A complete delight. If there is a clunker, it is the owner's dopey sense of humor, which comes through on the menu and the staff's t-shirts. Dopey humor is okay, but not in the context of such a high-quality dining experience. Zip it and focus on the stove.
(5)C. K.
My wife and I dined at Bacchanale during their 3-course, $25 Prix Fixe menu in early 2015. If value was the only consideration than this review would be a glowing five stars as you really will never find a better meal at this price point anywhere yet alone in Crested Butte. While my wife and I did have an overall good experience there were some details that- if addressed, could easily make this a five star restaurant in addition to a five star value. The host/owner was the nicest guy in the restaurant... very attentive towards all guests and he alone almost made this a 4 star review. So why three stars... Our meal took two hours and 15 minutes from sitting at the table to walking out the door. The restaurant wasn't busy (50% full) so the kitchen wasn't in the weeds. I'd put the blame more on our server who didn't properly time the submission of the different courses. That can be tricky, particularly if you have other tables (but it wasn't very busy). We believe our server could be trained a bit better here as he also mispronounced multiple menu items. The food itself was well prepared. Our first course meals were both excellent (eggplant and kale salad). The second course was also quite good (stripped bass and lamb Pappardelle). My lamb was great but could have used a bit more depth (it was a little one-note). While my wife's stripped base was excellently prepared it wasn't anything we couldn't prepare at home. The dessert was mixed. The deconstructed tiramisu really needs a look (if not removed from the menu). You have to have a really deep understanding of textures, flavors, and ingredients (quantity & quality here) to deconstruct something properly. This was a total miss in my book. Lastly, sitting in a chair for 2 hours and 15 minutes makes you reflect on the chair itself. They're aluminum and in the dead of winter it doesn't matter how warm your restaurant is your butt is going to be cold because you're still sitting on a cold metal chair. Sitting on a hard, cold surface for two hours and 15 minutes sort of makes you more critical than you would likely normally be. Again, great value and overall very good food. The service was just far too slow and far too inconsistent. This place could be exceptional with very little work.
(3)Greg R.
Probably the best Italian meal my wife and I have ever had. The chef at this restaraunt is extremely talented. The presentation was great as well as the atmosphere. And a 3-course fixed price menu for $25???? Astounding!
(5)Kevin M.
I met Chris, the owner during my visit. I enjoyed it so much that I visited Django's up at the resort the next night. The Braised Lamb "Pappardelle" was amazing. I did not order it, but my date did. It was mouth watering. I ordered the Boar and Beans, still very impressive. I just wished I had some bread to soak up all the delicious sauce of the two dishes.
(4)James W.
Love the Bac! Always great food and service. The Chocolate Budino Tart is the best dessert in town!
(5)Josh T.
The atmosphere and food were great. We really enjoyed the fixed price menu and the selections were good. We had the Boar & Beans along with the Cantalone del Mar. Both were very tasty. The drinks were average and the price was pretty good for the town in ski season.
(4)Maureen M.
I have mixed feelings about giving 3 stars. The good: Loved the atmosphere. The food was delicious. We had a couple of the bruschettas, and arancia balls. The arancia balls were delicious! I ordered the bass, which was pretty good. The meh: Only 2 beers available, which disappointed me. It's Italian, I get it. However, I feel like every place in Colorado needs to have some sort of craft beer. The bad: We were there for a girls' night out for the bride & had a reservation of 9. They sat us upstairs. After the drinks & appetizers were delivered, we were informed that we had to move. Apparently there was a birthday party in the other room. They were under the impression that their party could spill over into the area we were seated in. Basically, the party thought they had the entire 2nd floor. It was clear that these people spent $$$ and had a professional photographer. This meant we didn't matter. They did nothing to accommodate us. Our waitress was not so great either. My aunt ordered a glass of wine twice & I ordered a 2nd beer that took forever. It was not busy & the bar was right behind us. When we inquired about the drinks, she gave us attitude. Why the 3 stars? The food. The atmosphere. That's it. It probably deserves 2.5 stars.
(3)Nikki G.
Made a reservation because the reviews were really good. I'm a vegetarian and they ran out of the one vegetarian pasta option (they had a salad, but I was already getting that, plus I don't consider that a dinner option). They did say they could throw something together which was pretty good, but then they charged me the same price ($18) for my dish of pasta with a little bit of asparagus as they did the others at the table who got shrimp and scallops. Our table all had the same vodka sauce on our dishes which was so spicy my mom couldn't eat her meal. I thought the spice was ok, but definitely warranted a warning on the menu or from the waitress. Definitely not a place I would go back on my next visit to Crested Butte considering there are so many other restaurants to choose from.
(2)Mary H.
After all the recent 5 stars, I was eager to try this place out, which we did last night. Sigh. It all sounded so good. Too bad it wasn't. First, they managed to take off the menu two of the most intriguing (and yelped about) things: the flatbreads (pizzas) and the BYOBruschetta!! Even the waitress, for whom the BYOB was a favorite, was mystified -- she said they might occasionally bring back the flatbread as a special. Do the owners even bother to check out customer feedback on Yelp? Apparently not. Tried 2 appetizers, which were the best part of the meal: eggplant pillows - lovely, light, with a spritz of balsamic vinegar. artichoke tempura - delicious w the aioli the perfect accompaniment. Then there were the salads: the bean salad wasn't bad, but it wasn't 5 stars. Again, the balsamic vinegar. the chopped salad - the same. Again, the balsamic vinegar. (ATBV) the caprize salad - I've had better. ATBV Can they think of nothing else to flavor everything with other than balsamic vinegar? Good olive oil can really enhance some italian dishes -- it seemed to be missing, as did garlic, in anything. The main events were mostly disappointing: the linguini was the best - plump shrimp (even if only 3) and a nice fresh sauce. the meatballs were... meatballs, nothing special. the lamb pasta was a bowl of large flat noodles with gravy and a few bits of lamb ... really, is that the best you can do? didn't check out the other standard dishes (steaks, chicken, etc) which are done well throughout the rest of CB... I can always get those elsewhere. the chocolate torte was okay, altho that salt thing is so yesterday (and so stupid to begin with, given the problems of the average overly salty American diet). the chocolate sorbet ended up being a lightly chocolate flavored scoop of grade B ice cream... and here I was dreaming of possibly getting a dark chocolate icy concoction that reminded me of the Italian ices of my youth. Won't be coming back... there are better places to check out in CB....
(3)Walter A.
Reservation at 8 o'clock. Not seated until 8:45. Server was great - she was very friendly and outgoing BUT... It took at least 30 minutes for first course/salads to come out. Then we waited another 45 minutes for entrees. Add this all up and we were not done eating until after 11pm. The manager visited several times to apologize and even brought out desert on the house - a plus but still a really rough experience given that the reservation was already on the late side (for us at least). Also, for context, it wasn't *that* crowded. When we arrived, most tables were occupied but by the time our salads arrived the place was half empty and by the time our entrees arrived, we were one of only a few tables still eating. Food was good. Not excellent, but good. We shared a Chopped Salad, appetizer of Meatballs, and Braised Lamb Pappardelle. The Chopped salad was very good - well dressed, with a great mix of ingredients, etc. The Meatballs and the Lamb were okay but both were very under seasoned, almost bland. There is only so much that table salt can do. This was a surprising experience for us given that we absolutely love their other restaurant, Django's, which is always spot on with food and service. Hopefully, just an off night for them.
(3)M M.
This was our favorite restaurant during our week-long stay in Crested Butte. They had a range of vegetarian options for my friends, and excellent hot toddys!
(5)Anne A.
We were hopeful about this dinner because we met the owners last year and they stressed the family friendliness of this restaurant. So we arrived only to find out they recently did away with kids menu. Kids had option of pasta with butter or marinara. That was $6 plus cost for drink and another $4 for a meatball. As for the grown ups, we got calamari hoping kids would eat. It was okay, bland sauce. The eggplant pillows were definitely tasty. The caprese salad was ok but needed more basil. We shared the trout. It was good but nothing to write home about. As for dessert, the stand out of the whole meal was the Chocolate tart. Wow was it good! Definitely better than lemon cake (which was good but no comparison to chocolate). Service was decent. But we had to ask for silverware multiple times and a wine chiller for white wine. For almost $200 for dinner, expected a lot more.
(2)Jonathan B.
I'm a huge fan. Huge. Kate and Chris, the masterminds behind the new Bacchanale and Django's, have really shown their abilities on this one. The makeover is subtle, but inspiring. The menu is every bit as inventive as Django's. It's not your typical Italian place, but who wants typical? We started with the cocktails. My Boulevardier (bull-ihv-ARD-ee-ay) was outstanding - a new take on the traditional Manhattan. My wife's Arantini was equally as good if you are looking for something slightly sweeter. We started with the BYOB: "Build Your Owen Bruschetta." We took the owner's advice and tried the spice tomato jam and the anchovies. Amazing. Not advertised with the BYOB, but a great addition is the delicious imported reduced balsamic vinegar. It is the perfect addition to any bruschetta regardless how you build it. We continued with the kale and Brussel sprout salad. Like the sister restaurant, they do an interesting take on Brussel sprouts and this salad is to die for. Just fantastic. My wife had the linguini and clams baked in parchment and I had the meatballs as an entree. I've never had a better meatball. It was meat butter. So smooth and rich and delicious. My wife really liked the linguini but our son ate all the clams which means they were probably also awesome. For dessert we splurged. We tried the crepes, chocolate torte, and gelato. All were delicious, but chocolate torte was spectacular. Drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with salt, this dessert goes beyond most chocolate desserts. It's a must, in my opinion. Like it's sister restaurant, Bacchanale has an excellent wine list. Most of it is imported and beyond my knowledge, but I've always been very pleased with the staff recommendations. If you're in Crested Butte, you should give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Trisha S.
There were 4 of us and we all chose different entrees and we were all very satisfied. The braised lamb pappardelle was the favorite as well as the eggplant pillow appetizer. This restaurant is a keeper!
(4)Carolyn P.
My boyfriend and I were in town for a ski weekend and looking for a date-night spot. This restaurant did not disappoint! The menu is set at a $25 prix-fixe with a couple additional options to supplement. A quick break-down of what we ordered: build your own bruchetta, meatballs, brussel kale salad, seafood cannelloni, braised lamb, tiramisu, and lemon polenta cake. All portions were large enough to satiate 2 very hungry skiiers, the food was delicious, and the service was excellent. I can't say enough. Just go there, eat great food, and see for yourself!
(5)D P.
Thought this was a nice restaurant but was very surprised and disappointed. Waited an hour and still no food. Everyone making excuses for kitchen. Obviously too big of a dining room for kitchen. No manager on duty. Tried to give me the manager's card -----.....On a Saturday night. Avoid!
(1)Chip G.
Bacchanale gets three stars instead of two simply because we didn't order a full meal. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt based on other reviews here. Both the appetizer menu and wine list are pretty limited. The fried zucchini was good and the portion size was huge. The house dressing, however, was almost completely tasteless and I'd rate the soup "average" at best. We were seated in a corner and felt forgotten, so I'd rate the service as slow even by Crested Butte standards. I was impressed with how the bartender handled an issue with a glass of wine, but the table service was poor. In all, it was a pretty forgettable experience.
(3)Jamie W.
Since my last review of the Bacchanale, it has changed ownership. Matter of fact, it is a completely different restaurant. The interior has been renovated, the tables are new, the TVs are gone and the menu completely revised. The Bacchanale is no longer the old traditional Italian restaurant that has been there for many years (too many from a few people's perspective). Actually, I'm not sure I saw any traditional Italian dishes on the menu. To placate the people coming expecting the old restaurant, there were a couple slightly Italian inspired dishes, such as the veggie lasagna and the small three meatballs over a bed of tomatoes. But that was about it. Forget about finding spagetti bolognese, Italian sausages or a veal parm. Instead of an Italian restaurant, the new owners have gone for a small plate / tapas inspired menu. Think breads with spreads, cold appetizer meat plates, flatbreads with toppings, fish, and plenty of vegetarian dishes. Each one was delicious. The only one that was disappointing was the meatball dish, which had three small and very hard meatballs place over a very bland diced tomato base. The service was exceptional and very friendly. The only negative here was that we had reserved a table downstairs, which had already been given away even though we arrived early. Here's a tip for those seeking something Italian here still. You can ask for an off-menu side plate of linguine, but make sure to ask for a marinara sauce on top since it will come plain. It sure would be nice to see a broader range of desserts served in larger portions.
(3)Arthur R.
this place was a great surprise... met some locals and they said it used to be soso, but new management a couple years back. My wife and I love clean food, great flavors, and great service. Bacchanale had it all -- one of the best meals in years..
(5)Julia S.
This was a great experience. We found it on opentable and went on a whim during our first trip to Crested Butte. The ambience is lovely - I love the tin ceiling, beautiful bar and adorable second floor seating area. Jeremy, our server, had recommendations for both food and wine and was very attentive. The food was truly excellent. I had a lamb pasta dish and my fiancé had a seafood pasta dish. The pasta was well cooked and the seasoning was spot on. We came for a late dinner and they were shutting down as we were leaving so they sent us with some delicious cannolis to go. A great and special end to a delicious meal. If you are looking for an everyday spaghetti and meatballs dinner, this place isn't for you. If you are looking for a fresh, flavorful perspective on Italian food, I recommend it. Great ambience, reasonably priced. We will certainly be back.
(5)Anna K.
Wonderful Italian dinner in Crested Butte! This place is incredible. Perfectly cooked, deliciously simple food and a great atmosphere. We have wonderful service, and everyone was so friendly! Wild boar pappardelle and striped bass were 5 star!
(5)Lisa C.
Fantastic food, service and atmosphere. I never would have thought that brussel sprouts could be so delicious! The bruschetta mix was a fun appetizer and the chocolate budino tart made for a fabulous dessert. I recommend this restaurant!
(4)Britt D.
I went to Bacchanale last weekend when the parents were in town. Overall, I can't wait to get back here. Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. We started with the build-your-own bruschetta (roasted mushrooms & spicy tomato jam) and salumi & cheese board. The portions were tiny for the salumi & cheese, but the combination with the bruschetta made for a nice variety of appetizers for 5 people. Oh, and the spicy tomato jam IS THE BOMB! I split the butternut squash lasagna with mom (huge portion), while the boys split the meatballs and boar sausage plates. Everything was delicious, though I think the boys would have each been happy with their own entree rather than splitting. I can't wait to go back again for that yummy (and shareable) lasagna. GREAT option for CB and reasonably priced for the experience, service, and quality of the food.
(4)Carolyn M.
We had an incredible meal here, start to finish. We all shared a side of Brussel sprouts and it was fantastic. We later had the Brussel sprout salad, and can safely tell you to get the side, not the salad. The build-your-own bruschetta was a big hit with my family. The sun-dried tomato flatbread was delicious and basil-y. The prosciutto flat bread was a little rich for me, but still good. The arugula salad is a great combination of flavors. We had the pappardelle, which was incredibly rich but so good. I had the limoncello for dessert - perfect end to a great meal. Excellent, friendly service and reasonable prices. Convenient location.
(5)Peanut B.
Love this place! We sat upstairs, there is sort of a balcony feel and you can look down on the bar. Our server, Milly (?sp), was really sweet. She was knowledgeable about the menu and wine. We started with the flatbread and Brussels sprouts, excellent. Everyone was happy with their entree, I will definitely return.
(5)Tom H.
I never like restaurants where there is not a dum waiter for serving diners on the second floor. Since we sat on the second and there was no dum waiter it seemed as if it was a stretch for the wait staff to attend to our table which was a large group. It was incredibly noisy upstairs and the wait staff was unpolished. With that said an attempt at small plates for Italian food was noble but it left a lot to be desired. The best items on the menu were their flat breads which we had as table apps. For my main I had the steak which was very sub par. If we were to revisit we would only sit downstairs and more likely only sit at the bar and order their flatbreads with a nice wine until they hit their stride? 2/6/13. 2nd time is a charm. All and all much better service and we knew what to order.
(4)Robert F.
Four of us had a great dining experience at Bacchanale. The egg plant and artichoke appetizers were stunning. The egg plant was delicately battered with a delicious balsamic reduction. The deep fried artichoke hearts were light and crispy. The signature meatballs and the caprese was perfectly paired with montepulciano wine. If you have a chance Bacchanale is a gem.
(5)Tony K.
Another great meal and dining experience. Wife had a flatbread that was excellent. I had the meatballs and they were fabulous. Service was excellent and everyone was friendly.
(5)Scott A.
What a treat. Booked online using open table and they had a spot for us. If you book a party of two I suggest the upstairs at the end of balcony where there is a circular table that overlooks the dining room below. Great ambiance with intriguing decor. When you order make sure to include the Bruschetta with three spreads or you will be sorry! It is truly a masterpiece all by itself. The 12 year old aged Balsamic came in a bottle with an eye dropper and had the consistency of syrup. SO GOOD!!! I had the kale salad which I would recommend, also had the Brussels sprouts which were good but had just a bit too much butter. Thankfully I had reserved the balsamic that came with the bruschetta which helped give it a little acid. The main course was the Bistecca served with mash potatoes and spinach. I ate every bite and even the small amount of fat melted in your mouth like butter. It was cooked perfectly and had the right seasoning and I would order it again. The special of the day was a Colorado Bass that served over Faro. It had a good flavor but was drenched in butter and a little lemon would have gone a long way to acidify the dish. Overall this was a great meal where we were able to linger and savor the food. I would go back and recommend it as a solid choice for a culinary experience.
(4)Peggy B.
Valentine's Day Dinner, party of 12. Dinner with friends and family. Seated quickly (6pm) upstairs. Other half of our party arrived a little later but feel like we were forgotten. Seemed most other tables filled after we arrived, were served & left. Not happy about delay w/ food. House Chianti Great! Kids ordered fried cheese appetizer, great presentation, huge, empty cheese sticks . Kids happy w/ buttered pasta. Salad ok. Forgot one salad. Split dinner of highly recommended Fra Diovolo Eggplant & Scallops with pasta. Eggplant overcooked, scallops ok. Not much on pasta. Husband said Lasagna Ok , not to come back for. Best part of the evening was being with family and friends. Hate to give not so good review, have learned not to eat out on Valentine's Day, we were on vacation. Would give restaurant another chance on not so busy day.
(3)Laura L.
Nice dinner! Great service.
(4)Scott A.
we ate at Bacchanale twice in February and both times it was excellent. The decor is modern but warm and the food is wonderful. One night we just had meats, cheeses and little plates to share with some wine and that was great. Another night we had a more standard app/main and those were also very good. We eat at a ton of great restaurants in NYC and Bacchanale could hold its own with many of them. They have a good wine list and the service is excellent as well
(4)Blaise M.
Best pasta/Italian in all of CB! Order to share.
(5)Norma K.
The appetizers were just OK. We were only 1/2 thru & they brought our mains. They took them back (don't know what happened to them-given to someone else or kept warm under a lamp). When they were brought out again, they were less than just OK. Chicken under a brick was plain roast chicken-I've made better at home. The owner came over & asked where we liked to eat in town, & when we told her she started telling us how bad it was - not cool!! Won't go back, ever!!
(2)Gary D.
Visited Bacchanale after having an outstanding dinner at sister restaurant Django. The atmosphere, drinks and service were equally good here, but the food was a little disappointing. Highly recommeded meatball dish was only okay. The flatbreads were quite good and the "build your own bruschetta" was interesting. The linguini with clams in parchment was bland and uninspired other than the parchment presentation. The papardelle was excellent, although the portions are small, almost as if the restaurant is trying to determine if it is a tapas place like Django, or more traditional plating. Chris, the owner is outstanding and a big draw. I will visit again if the menu changes a bit
(3)Kaylyn K.
We enjoyed our meal at this quaint Italian restaurant, but the entrees were a bit over-priced and service was slow. Small salad included with entrees. Fra Diavolo and Vegetable Canneloni were tasty. Overall, standard Italian dishes. Limited wine selection.
(3)Sills R.
Wonderful, inventive Italian food at very reasonable prices. Lots of expensive restaurants in this town mot worth the price, but this one should not be missed!!!!! Great from appetizers to entrees to dessert. Try the bruschettas, the meatballs and don't miss the chocolate budding tart!
(5)Suzie-Annie C.
Rick (our cook maybe owner) was great as he prepared an awesome meal. There was just two of us and service was good, they made sure we had all that we needed. I had Grilled Salmon over Linguine with a butter sauce and the person I was with ordered Cantaloni. After a long day of skiing we sure enjoyed a nice warm meal. Good stuff!
(5)Anna M.
Tasting menu was amazing. 1st Course: meatballs A+ eggplant pillows A+ (but maybe more sauce & goat cheese cuz it was so good) 2nd Course: Canelloni di Mare A+ (at 1st seemed plain but after a few bites you couldnt get enough) Dessert: Tiramisu B (scope of ice cream with lady fingers and coffee was poured over it... had to eat fast cuz everything melted) Chocolate Tart B+ (could not cut with utensils but was very yumy just very small)
(5)Wendy P.
Not your traditional red sauce Italian restaurant! Excellent prix fixe menu at $25 and worth it.
(5)Jeffrey C.
Very reasonable pricing for solid food in a ski town. 3 course prix fixe meal was $25. The cannelloni filled with seafood was the highlight. Really friendly staff too. Thanks!
(4)Shane P.
We made a last minute reservation and had a fantastic meal with friendly service. We'll be back next time we're in CB.
(5)Nick C.
With dinner the previous night being a huge success at Django, we were hoping it's sister restaurant would measure up or at least be half as good. No need to worry, Bacchanale was just as good and at a more reasonable fare. They sat us in what I felt was the most sought after table in the house, the upper level against the railing which oversaw the entire restaurant and bar below. They do a prix fixe menu which usually is not my preference. I don't care much for dessert so prix fixe meals don't entice me in that the final course is a waste on me. This prix fixe, a $25 value for three courses in the case of Bacchanale, was generously altered so I could substitute another appetizer for the dessert. At just $25 for an app, entrée, and dessert, this is a huge bargain considering the quality of the food, the selection to choose from, and the quantity on each plate. For our apps we started with the carpaccio, meatballs, and the Brussels sprouts and kale salad. The meatballs were excellent and moist while the salad had your requisite Brussels and kale which did the trick but was nothing out of the ordinary. For our entrees we had the bistecca and the striped bass. We were both blown away by the size of the entrees. Each protein was a good 8 ounces (perfectly cooked in both cases) alongside some substantial sides. Each entrée could easily constitute a price tag of $25 (the amount for the entire prix fix meal). We ended on the lone dessert of chocolate gelato as an affogato (with Espresso) that I hear was delicious. We had a great time and meal at Bacchanale. We couldn't believe how satisfied we were at the end of the meal both in regards to quality and quantity for the money. It was somewhat hard to believe but believe me, you don't want to miss hitting up Bacchanale if you are in CB.
(4)Jacqueline A.
My group wanted to have a nice meal while here for a short weekend and we settled on this after reading about the price fix menu and finidng that they took reservations. We walked in and were led upstairs to our table, the downstairs of the establishment is more of a bar and high top area, where the upstairs is dining only. I think that leads those who walk by on the street to occasionally look over this place as it's hard to see that there is a larger area for sit down dining. Holy Moly the $25 price fix menu they are currently offering is a GREAT deal! I started by ordering the mussels fra diavolo. I thought I would get maybe 5 mussels but I got a whole bowl full with a yummy spicy broth that I could soak up with the grilled bread that accompanied the dish. A great start to the meal. For my main dish I enjoyed the 8 oz New York Flank steak with smashed potatoes and broccolini. The steak was topped with a flavored butter that was so so good. For dessert I ended the meal with the chocolate tart which was just a morsel in size but probably a good thing given how much wine and other food I had filled up on during the course of the meal. Service was great too. When there was a slight delay because of a larger party our server brought us a complimentary charcuterie plate and noted that our plates would be just a little while longer. Our drinks remain filled and even though we were getting a great deal we didn't feel like there was a lack of service because of that. A very enjoyable dining experience in Crested Butte!
(5)Peggy P.
Eggplant pillows were way better than expected and could easily be dinner for person with smallish appetite. Ask for bread. Grilled Caesar salad was huge with unusual croutons. Lamb with pappardelle was okay but kind of soupy.
(4)Smorga M.
We came here because we had heard the meatball appetizers were amazing and I have to say they were very, very good. Service is great and ambiance is spot on. I had the pesto bucatini pasta which was great. Overall this was a really good meal. If they could improve one thing it would be desert. They were fine but not wow
(4)Ashlee B.
Gorgeous cuisine, very fresh ingredients & fantastic waitstaff! This is a "must" when in Crested Butte!
(4)Matt G.
While our server was a pleasant guy the service itself was poor at best. Well over 15 minutes before our drink order was taken, a good 20 minutes to bring a second bottle of wine. The wait for 4 entrees was over an hour (and there were empty tables so the kitchen couldn't possibly have been that busy). The food was not impressive. Two Chicken Marsalas that looked like something Applebee's would turn out and a pasta dish with over-cooked noodles and a red sauce that was completely flavorless (sad to say but store-bought sauces put it to shame). The lone bright spot was a pasta dish with lamb, but batting .250 ain't that impressive. I'd advise you spend your time and money elsewhere.
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