When you ask someone about the best places to go for happy hour and Italian cuisine that are decently priced, you probably wouldn’t expect them to direct you to a hotel. In an effort to attract both guests and residents within the area, hotels are creating culinary experiences that breach the bounds of a continental breakfast. This has made hotel dining a destination in its own right. If you haven’t heard about Gattara Denver Italian restaurant, located within the Warwick Denver hotel, you will want to continue reading. 303 Magazine was also able to connect with the one behind all the deliciousness we savored at this hidden gem – Chef Mimmo Faid. Chef Faid took the time to answer a few questions for us, helping us bring you this edition’s Meet the Chef.
303 Magazine: Could you please share the inspiration behind your journey to becoming a chef? Who or what played a pivotal role in that decision?
Chef Mimmo Faid: My journey to becoming a chef started at home. Growing up, I would watch my father cook for our family – not just with skill, but with heart. He was the kind of person who could bring everyone together with a simple home-cooked meal. That left a strong impression on me, and I naturally gravitated toward the kitchen. He was my first teacher and a big inspiration for the reason I fell in love with cooking in the first place.
303: What sparked your initial interest in the hospitality industry (i.e., hotel) and how did your career path unfold from there?
MF: My passion for hospitality came from wanting to create experiences, not just meals. After working in a few independent restaurants early in my career, I became interested in the structure, scale and diversity that hotels offer. The opportunity to serve guests from all over the world, in different settings – breakfast, banquets, room service, dinner service, etc. – and that really shaped my approach to food and service. From there, my path evolved naturally, combining creativity with consistency.
303: The dishes at Gattara Denver are genuinely delicious. How did you go about curating a menu that caters to diverse guests, whether they are dining solo, enjoying a family meal or seeking a perfect spot for lunch or happy hour after work?
MF: Thank you! At Gattara, we wanted to create a menu that feels approachable yet special. It’s rooted in Italian comfort food but with a few twists that make it unique to our style. We think about how our guests dine – whether they’re traveling alone, meeting for business, or gathering with family and build in options for all those moments. Small plates for sharing, hearty entrees and a few signature items that work well for happy hour or a relaxed dinner. Balance and variety are key.
303: Many people assume that hotel restaurants primarily serve guests. In your experience, what distinguishes dining at a hotel restaurant like Gattara from a standalone restaurant?
MF: That’s a great question, and something we think about a lot. While hotel restaurants do serve in-house guests, at Gattara, we’ve worked hard to make the restaurant a destination in itself. The difference is that we’re always balancing consistency for travelers with local appeal for our neighborhood guests. Our goal is to provide a warm, welcoming experience where anyone can walk in, whether they’re staying upstairs or live around the corner and feel at home.
303: We thoroughly enjoyed the pesto gnocchi with shrimp and the lasagna bolognese. What would you consider the top three must-try dishes for anyone dining at Gattara?
MF: I’m so glad you enjoyed those! The pesto gnocchi and lasagna bolognese are definitely two of our most loved dishes. If I had to pick three must-tries, I’d say the following: the lasagna bolognese is a classic done right, layered with rich meat sauce and béchamel. The pesto gnocchi with shrimp is light, vibrant and full of flavor. Our wood-fired Margherita pizza is simple yet made with high-quality ingredients and features that perfect, crispy crust. If you have room, our tiramisu is a great way to end the meal.
Gattara Denver is located at 1776 Grant St., Denver. Its hours are Breakfast: Monday – Friday 6:30 – 10:30 am and Saturday – Sunday 7 – 10:30 a.m.; Lunch: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily; Dinner: 4 – 10 p.m. daily. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 4 – 7 p.m.
All photography courtesy of Gattara.
Dining and Cooking