After a chef change, how has DiFranco's fared since March?

In March, when we announced our picks for Denver's best eats in our annual Best of Denver, DiFranco's earned the nod for Best Italian Restaurant. That must've had owner Ryan DiFranco both smiling and sweating, because March was also the month that he and chef Joe Freemond parted ways. See...

By Gretchen Kurtz

July 23, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In March, when we announced our picks for Denver's best eats in our annual Best of Denver, DiFranco's earned the nod for Best Italian Restaurant.

That must've had owner Ryan DiFranco both smiling and sweating, because March was also the month that he and chef Joe Freemond parted ways.

Curious to see how the simple menu of housemade pastas, sandwiches (especially the meatball) and array of Italian cookies weathered the change, I decided it was time to check back in. See what I discovered when my review of DiFranco's is posted here tomorrow.

Follow @CafeWestword

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Gretchen Kurtz has worked as a writer for 25 years; during that time she's stomped grapes in Napa, eaten b'stilla in Fez, and baked with Buddy Valastro, aka the Cake Boss. Her work has appeared in publications including Boulevard (Paris), Diversion, the New York Times and Westword. Our restaurant critic since 2012, she loves helping you decide where to eat and drink tonight.

Contact: Gretchen Kurtz

Follow:

Twitter: @denvrcriticeats

Instagram: @denvercritic_eats