Top of the Town 2011

Frasca is by now a nationally recognized foodie buzzword, but here we’re paying homage not only to its exquisite cuisine from Italy’s Friulian region, but also to the newer, less formal members of the Frasca family—all conveniently on the same block. Pizzeria Locale is a contemporary space beside Frasca Food and Wine that dishes out traditional Neapolitan pies with Colorado’s first custom-made oven straight from Stefano Ferrara in Napoli. Right next door, Caffè—stocked with handcrafted panini, pastries, and espresso—is the closest thing you’ll find to an authentic Italian cafe this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Mosey over to Caffè after a late lunch of mais pizza (sweet corn, crème fraîche, prosciutto, mozzarella) at Locale, cozy up at a table, and experience the meaning of “when in Rome”: Sit, savor, and order a treat. We recommend the tasty esotico (orange/coconut) from the biscotti tradizionali menu. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-6966, www.frascafoodandwine.com; 1730 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-3003, www.pizzerialocale.com; 1720 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-9364, frascacaffe.com