Little Italy

No neighborhood would be complete without a homey, all-in-the-family Italian joint that serves a bar full of regulars and leaves the frills for higher-priced trattorias. Make the rounds at the following: Armando’s (www.armandosristorante.net) in Aurora is a family favorite and does a killer baked ziti (a second location in Parker opened recently). In Centennial, Luigi’s (www.luigisitalian.net) plates savory comfort-food starters like handmade sausage and peppers and cheesy baked mushrooms sautéed in white wine. Lakewood’s Cafe Jordano (www.cafejordano.com) churns out decadent Alfredo, and Westminster’s Enzo’s menu (12025 N. Pecos St.), chock full of traditional Italian comforts and tucked away in a strip mall, is the product of a creative team headed by “Mamma and Papa Enzo.” What’s more com">www.armandosristorante.net) in Aurora is a family favorite and does a killer baked ziti (a second location in Parker opened recently). In Centennial, Luigi’s (www.luigisitalian.net) plates savory comfort-food starters like handmade sausage and peppers and cheesy baked mushrooms sautéed in white wine. Lakewood’s Cafe Jordano (www.cafejordano.com) churns out decadent Alfredo, and Westminster’s Enzo’s menu (12025 N. Pecos St.), chock full of traditional Italian comforts and tucked away in a strip mall, is the product of a creative team headed by “Mamma and Papa Enzo.” What’s more comfortable than that?

 

Worldly Affairs

We love H Mart and Avanza, but there’s always room to expand your horizons for specialty ingredients you can’t find at your supermarket.

Mexican: Thornton’s Mi Pueblo Market (9171 Washington St.) does south of the border with the best of ’em. Find fresh produce for dollars cheaper than at your regular grocer, peruse the panadería for warm tortas, or snag fun kitchen goodies like tamale steamers.

Italian: From interesting olive oils and imported dried pasta to homemade cannoli and fresh mascarpone, Vinnola’s Italian (www.vinnolasitalianmarket.com) in Wheat Ridge is your market for Italian favorites.

Asian: Broomfield’s Pacific Ocean Market Place (6600 W. 120th Ave., Unit A) is jam-packed with tasty and exotic treats. Noodles galore, an eclectic and fresh (so fresh it’s sometimes still alive!) seafood selection, salted pork belly, scrumptious frozen dumplings, and plenty of items you can’t pronounce, all for reasonable prices. Bonus: Scoot next door to Pho Duy (same plaza, Unit B) and fill up on an outstanding, hefty pho bowl to inspire your shopping.