Dio Mio's Handmade Pasta Mostly Wows Despite Price Concerns

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]

Best Suited for Happy Hour: The Infatuation deems Dio Mio perfect for small bites and happy hour glasses of wine. While enjoying the restaurant's casual set-up, reviewer Jarod Ballentine finds the food not "quite up to par with other fresh pasta shops around town." Waiting for the RiNo spot to find its footing, the online restaurant reviewer suggests that diners stick with appetizers like the fried mozzarella. [The Infatuation]

Overall, A Crowd-Pleaser: Generally, diners praise chefs Alex Figura and Spencer White's latest culinary venture. Accumulating a 4.9 star rating, the restaurant's clean aesthetic and authentic pastas helps Dio Mio stand out in the bustling RiNo neighborhood. A sole reviewer found the dishes "overpriced" while most other diners gushed over the quality ingredients and $20 bottles of wine. The online consensus reflects what Dio Mio diners already know: "Denver was begging for Dio Mio and didn't even know it." [Facebook]