First Look: Quality Italian Adds Flair to Cherry Creek Dining Scene

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 9 a.m.

Mark Antonation Quality Italian's lasagna uses rolled pasta and filet mignon meatballs instead of the typical layered configuration. 1/25

Mark Antonation Antique photos in the dining room. 2/25

Mark Antonation There's pesto and marinara in the lasagna, a dish built for two people. 3/25

Mark Antonation The Warrant Room has a canary theme as a reminder of Colorado's mining history. 4/25

Mark Antonation Burrata cheesecake with blood oranges and tangerine cream. 5/25

Mark Antonation The bar seating wraps around so that two guests can actually sit inside the bar. 6/25

Mark Antonation The "burrata" is made with a modern sphericization technique instead of being wrapped in fresh mozzarella. 7/25

Mark Antonation Paintings are hung with the backs facing out to emphasize the craftsmanship of the frames. 8/25

Mark Antonation Tuna crudo with eggplant, pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes. 9/25

Mark Antonation At the bar at Quality Italian. 10/25

Mark Antonation The Lambrusco Cobbler, with a lemony touch of housemade limoncello. 11/25

Mark Antonation Quality Italian's main dining room. 12/25

Mark Antonation Much of the art and decor depicts butcher's tools and other kitchen implements. 13/25

Mark Antonation Quality Italian's tomahawk ribsteak comes with sauce prepared tableside with a mortar and pestle. 14/25

Mark Antonation The decor is equal parts classic Rome, old-school Manhattan and modern Denver. 15/25

Mark Antonation We'd be lion if we said the decor wasn't impressive. 16/25

Mark Antonation Whole prawns split vertically and baked with uni butter. 17/25

Mark Antonation An antique hutch finds new life as a wine cabinet. 18/25

Mark Antonation The two main dining areas are divided by by steel framework and framed art. 19/25

Mark Antonation Quality Italian's mind-boggling chicken-parm pizza. 20/25

Mark Antonation Antique fireplaces were installed and integrated with new millwork. 21/25

Mark Antonation A booth for two in the Warrant room. 22/25

Mark Antonation Rustic and modern intermingle in the dining room. 23/25

Mark Antonation The exterior of Quality Italian on Columbine Street on the ground floor of the Halcyon Hotel. 24/25

Mark Antonation The entryway and bar. 25/25

First Look: Quality Italian Adds Flair to Cherry Creek Dining Scene

New York City's Quality Italian opens Thursday, March 2, in Cherry Creek's Halcyon Hotel, adding a a touch of badda-bing to the fast-changing neighborhood. But the eatery, the creation of restaurateur Michael Stillman, is far more than your typical red-sauce joint. Modern and creative takes on classic dishes from chef/partner team Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, along with many tableside flourishes from the waitstaff, add fun and entertainment to the dining experience. Whether it's a chicken Parmesan the size of a pizza or a monstrous bone-in ribeye with steak sauce made while you watch, Quality Italian aims to impress all the senses.

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