Inspiration You Can Taste: The food's authenticity draws diners to the new North Denver restaurant. 5280 Magazine's Callie Sumlin emphasizes that Italian flavors drive the menu. House-made pastas are asserted as "undoubtedly the high point of the meal." Backed by "lush sauces" and "high-end goodies" like bottarga and pancetta, delectable pastas range from a pappardelle with a Sunday ragú and squid ink spaghetti. Pro-tip: diners shouldn't ignore the sourdough and focaccia bread baskets (baked in house, of course). [5280 Magazine]

Hiccups in the Fast-Casual Set-Up: Yelp reviewers found it hard to reconcile Dio Mio's fast-casual concept with its steeper prices and mixed service style. One diner found the concept of the restaurant "confusing" with its dual counter service and open tab options. Another had a hard time accepting the smaller pasta portions with their $13-$15 prices. Despite enjoying the quality of the food, few diners left hungry and largely considered their meal "sadly not worth the price/hassle." The owners responded with a gentle suggestion to check out the happy hour menu. [Yelp]