Pulcinella Pizzeria & Wine Bar

If you're looking for the run-of-the-mill pizzaria, you're in the wrong place. The staff is bested only by the food. Antonio's pies are the best I've ever had, and I've lived in many different cities, including New York. If you're not in the mood for pizza, you should try it out anyway, as the other offerings are likewise off the charts as far as taste. You can just feel the love that's poured in to everything they make. Dying for a unique cocktail? Brian's special basil sipper will knock you off your feet. Seriously. I'm just a newcomer to Englewood, but I would definitely recommend this joint to anyone interested in a quality dining experience. A+++ more

This Pizzeria needs to be part of restaurant week! My girlfriend and I drive 30 min every week to go eat at Pulcinellas. After growing up in a Italian family its nice to be able to go eat somewhere and love the food as much as if my great grandmother were making it for me. The owner is an amazing chef and deserves much respect. He must have had his Nonna (grandma) cooking all of the same amazing things for him as a boy because there are generations of love and flavor in everything we have had there. The atmosphere is just about perfect for any occasion. If you like pizza,pasta,lasagna or Just love Italian definitely give it a try! more

The last reviewer must be out of his/her mind. I've been eating at this Pulcinella location since it opened in March of last year and have never received anything short of stellar service. First of all, the temperature has never been uncomfortable for me and on multiple occasions I have observed the staff adjust the thermostat per request. Maybe the last reviewer should have voiced this concern on one of their visits. I'm sure the friendly staff would have done everything they could have to be accommodating. Second, not only have I always heard music inside the restaurant but I believe they do live music on saturday nights. About three and a half weeks ago, I saw a great jazz guitar player during my meal at Pulcinella. Overall, I find the atmosphere unique and inviting. New additions next door even make the dining room seem more spacious. The staff at Pulcinella is always friendly and genuine. If you ever speak with the owner, you will realize that he treats everyone like family. His conscientiousness and hospitality is passed on to the entire kitchen staff. Not only that, but the two bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable. I went in for one of the Thursday wine tastings in the winter and loved having my wine questions answered. The late night drink specials are also quite the bargain. Finally, the food at Pulcinella speaks for itself. It appeals to all the senses. Once you try it, no other pizza will satisfy. Also, it's the only place I know that serves specialty slices. My favorite is called the Fantastico (Spinach and Feta on a pizza is delicious). In any case, don't take my word for it. Try the it for yourself and tell me that it wasn't the best pizza in town. more

It's too bad, really. The pizza is really good and I was excited for a good pizza place to open in Englewood/Cherry Hills. Our first experience was good - the food was good, the portion sizes on the salads were really good for the price and we were happy. The only complaint at that time was that it was FREEZING in there - they didn't have on any music and the acoustics of the space are bad, so it's cold and loud, like a hospital cafeteria. The staff was fairly friendly - I had to get up and get my own parmesan and red pepper flakes that they keep at the front counter instead of at your table, which I find irritating. Our second time it was FREEZING (again) and this time we decided that they must not have a sound system because, again, no music. The food was good - the staff was "ok". It just seems that they need a little more customer service training because they sort of treat you like you're not that important. We've been back to Pulcinella over 5 times since and it is obvious that the portion size and quality of their once really good salads has begun to decline - they are noticeabley smaller and the good (more expensive) ingredients are now chincy. They seem to have added a sound system, and some strange statue head for decoration, but no customer service training for their staff. They messed up our "to go" order recently and we were treated like it was our mistake as they repeatedly asked if we called their location or another location - and I'm positive I did not call Ft. Collins! We received no apology and no special offer to return again even though the owner was right behind the counter and was very aware of our problem. We were offered to have our food cooked in 10 minutes when we had already waited 30 minutes to pick it up since placing the order over the phone. I'm sad because we enjoy supporting the "smaller guy" businesses in our neighborhood, but it seems that this business is consistantly lacking in customer service, atmosphere and a pleasant climate. If you want to make it as a new restaurant you can't depend on your pizza recipe alone - you have to train your staff to treat people like they are guests in your home- a home that is warm and inviting. As a person who manages an upscale Cherry Creek North retail store, I have a few tips for the Pulcinella owner and staff: You are not the only ones in the restaurant, and just because you may be warm back there by the pizza oven and rushing around on the floor, the rest of us are paying you, so turn on the heat. Turn on some light-hearted music and create a fun, inviting atmosphere. Silence and cold are a bad combo. When there is a customer issue, LISTEN - STOP TALKING. Learn that no matter what - the customer is always right and accomodate them - they are the reason you are there. It costs your business a lot less to offer a customer who has had a bad experience due to YOUR mistake a coupon for their next visit or a discount on their currant visit than it will cost you to lose them and anyone they would have referred as a return customer. I understand that nobody is perfect, but I also know that it's really easy to win people over with a good apology and some incentive to give you another try. LIke I said, it's too bad. Your pizza is good, but I can find good pizza in addition to good atmosphere, climate, and friendly customer service at many other places nearby. more

My husband and I have traveled through Italy many times and this is the closest you'll get to a true Italian pizza and one of the best Italian wine selection in the city! We don't eat pizza anywhere else anymore and we've have nothing but great service from the staff. They also received 5280's Top of the Town last year :-) Their Thursday night wine tastings are a great way to learn more about Italian wines. Three wines are served along with food for only $20!!! more

After three visits, I would like to share my experiences. Our first visit was for a happy hour cocktail. The space is small and exposed as opposed to actually intimate. The staff seemed a bit indifferent. No big deal. We left thinking it seemed like nothing special but we should try the pizza. My second visit was to go. I called in a large pizza with a salad. When I arrived, the cook said that I was early and then placed a personal call. I sat to wait. The restaurant was really slow. I was slightly annoyed that the cook didn't start the pizza before the phone call. Anyhow, I waited for the cook to finish his phone call and start working. I finally made it home and the pizza was a bit soggy. In the end, we felt that the pizza was good not great. Again, there was nothing special about it. For our third (and final) visit, we sat at the bar for a few cocktails and a pizza. Again, the staff was smug. We ordered martinis and the bartender shorted the second glass. He just didn't bother to top the second glass off. So odd. We looked past that and ordered beer with the pizza. The pizza was okay at best. We really wanted this place to be great. Our neighborhood needs it. Instead, the atmosphere is exposed and uncomfortable. The staff made it feel like they were doing us a favor. In the end, it's just another pizza place in a strip mall on Hampden. more

The last reviewer was either drunk on wine has a bizarre aversion to brocolli similar to George H.W. Bush. This is an amazing restaurant--intimate setting, great wine bar, and perhaps most importantly, some of the best pizza in the city. The N.Y. style is, by far, better than Anthony's and Lil' Ricci's. The owners/managers are more than accomodating. This place gets my unconditional representation. more

Don't bother with the Thursday night wine tasting. It was advertised as wine tasting with antipasta and pizza. Previoulsy I had stopped in and had a slice of pizza and thought it was pretty good. So... I talked my friends into meeting there for some pizza and wine. Although the antipasta was good (all veggies). The pizza was HORRIBLE. Broccoli and pepperoni!!! What the heck! I figure the chef was trying to get rid of broccoli about to go bad! Talk about making the customer feel like an after thought! The only way I will be going back there to eat will be to get individual slices to go. more