Bácaro Venetian Taverna, a fixture on the Boulder restaurant scene since 1998, is changing things up. Chef Fabio Flagiello, who has been at the eatery for a year and a half, is leading the charge. As he sees it, the way people eat has evolved since Bácaro—which is named after the taverns of Venice, Italy—first opened. Flagiello believes diners are looking for smaller portions and more reasonable prices instead of full-fledged, multicourse meals.

To address this change, Flagiello, who is a native of Venice, has reworked the menu so that it's almost exclusively small plates (exceptions include the pizzas, salads, and a handful of entrées), and the prices have fallen accordingly. The dishes—which range anywhere from a couple bites to about half an entrée portion—top out at $13.50. The best deals can be had at happy hour (4 to 6:30 p.m.), when you can nab items such as bruschetta for $2.50, instead of the usual $5.

The new menu is huge (nearly 100 items) and enticing. I can't wait to try the grilled baby octopus salad and the pan-roasted duck sausage with braised cipollini onions. Check out the new concept—and let us know what you think—starting January 10. 

921 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-4888