Skip The Crowds Of Other Denver Highlands / LoHi Brunch Spots, This Is It. 

Marcella’s has everything you could want in an Italian restaurant. Delicious, savory dishes, warm and inviting ambiance, skilled cooks, and leaving with the same feeling you get after visiting your sweet nonna. When offered a chance to taste-test their new brunch menu, you can believe we said “yes” quicker than you could say “bottomless mimosas”.  

But first, let’s clear something up. Yes, Italian places can do brunch, and in this case, with poise and grace. What stands out as a polished, vintage Italian joint in a sea of small plate bistros serving up cross-culture fusions and ‘elevated’ this or that, Marcella’s offers a menu that’s creative enough to satisfy the foodie and portions ample enough to leave everyone feeling full.

It’s also the type of place you’d feel perfectly comfortable wearing what you wore to work or something a little more casual. So it works as a family place, a date place, and you better believe a brunch place.

When we arrived on the scene, we were greeted with a selection of capicola, prosciutto, coppa, sopressata, salami, and bresaola. For dairy, we had mozzarella, aged goat cheese, taleggio, pecorino, fontina, and gorgonzola dolce. All were fabulously balanced, and the perfect excuse to start indulging in the homemade sangrias.

Speaking of, get a liter of either ‘Citrus White’ or the ‘Primativo Red’. I’m typically a red-drinker, but in this case, favored the ‘Citrus White’. It had a nice tartness to it, slightly sweet, and was a refreshing departure from a typical mimosa. Don't say we didn't warn you, this stuff is tasty enough to drink glass after glass, and before you know it, you're willing to practice your Italian out loud. My co-critic, Laura, on the other hand, preferred the ‘Primativo Red’ and she also admits to being a red-drinker.

Rumor has it that there’s a $20 bottomless deal for Sunday brunch, and that alone is worth it. 

Then, came the hot plates. Eggs Benedict, ricotta crespelle, omelet, short rib hash, shrimp polenta, and a breakfast pizza to name a few.

I’m always a fan of shrimp and grits, so the shrimp polenta instantly spoke to me. It’s uncomplicated, unpretentious, yet full of flavor and that’s exactly how I like to start the day. I also found solace in the savory, garlicky short rib hash, and amidst all of the sangria sipped one of the best cappuccinos I’ve had in a long time.

Alright, Laura here. I was quite torn when it came to choosing a favorite as each dish was flavorful and delicious. The crispy pizza Calabrese and truffle eggs which consisted of poached eggs, toasted ciabatta, and taleggio are my top contenders, however, because I possess more than one sweet tooth, the Nutella-drizzled waffle made my heart sing. I rarely indulge in sweets for breakfast on my own, so I reserve this luxury to restaurant brunches.

To top off this indulgence, we were presented with warm, fresh zeppoles to complete our experience. If you plan on visiting Marcella’s for brunch, I recommend wearing a forgiving pair of pants or a dress that lets out at the waist because I promise you will leave full and happy.

Give it a try, then let us know what you think!