Chianti Ristorante

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where It All Began

Chianti Ristorante in Greenwood Village is the founding location of what became one of Colorado's most recognized Italian restaurant groups. When owner Alessandro Carollo opened the doors in 2002, the goal was straightforward: bring a genuine Venetian dining experience to the Denver metro area. That original vision has held steady for more than two decades, earning the restaurant a loyal following and, since 2008, an unbroken run of Wine Spectator recognition — a distinction the group has carried into 2025.

The Team Behind the Table

The kitchen and dining room are shaped by a tight-knit group of professionals with deep roots in Italian hospitality. Executive Chef Christian Delle Fave, who also serves as a partner in the group, leads the culinary direction — balancing tradition with his own precision. Wine Director and Sommelier Giancarlo Alfano oversees pairings across the locations, bringing the same careful attention to the glass that the kitchen brings to the plate.

Italian Cuisine, Seriously Stocked

The wine program is a genuine point of distinction. The group maintains what it describes as the largest wine cellar in Colorado — over 3,000 bottles — and the 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence reflects the depth and curation of that list. This year also marks the launch of the "Owner's Favorite Wines" program, featuring hand-selected vintages chosen personally by Alessandro Carollo.

On the food side, the Italian cuisine is built around housemade pasta and ravioli. Dishes like Pappardelle con Cinghiale — egg ribbon pasta with braised wild boar, root vegetables, and wine sauce — sit alongside handmade filled pastas such as Agnolotti ai Funghi, stuffed with portobello and cremini mushrooms in a porcini-gorgonzola cream sauce, and Cappelletti di Zucca, small hat-shaped ravioli filled with roasted butternut squash and walnuts. Starters run from Bangs Island mussels steamed in a chardonnay-butter broth to a carpaccio of thinly sliced filet mignon finished with white truffle oil and crispy capers.

Private Dining and Events

Chianti Ristorante is well set up for occasions beyond a regular dinner. Private rooms, full catering services, and monthly wine dinners make it a practical choice for business events or celebrations. The atmosphere — candlelit, warm, attentive — has drawn consistent praise from guests who describe it as a genuine slice of Italy in Colorado.