ABOUT

A Standout Restaurant in Denver

Offering the best in contemporary Northern Italian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal and organic ingredients, Panzano delivers unparalleled service and an award-winning wine list in a spectacular urban setting.

From pre-theater dinners to luxurious weekend brunches, centrally located Panzano is a little bit of Italy in the heart of downtown Denver, just blocks from the Denver Performing Arts Complex and the 16th Street Mall.

Panzano has been awarded Four Diamonds by AAA six years in a row, was given four stars by 5280 magazine, and was deemed Best Italian Restaurant by the dining and events guide Westword.

It’s all complemented by top Italian wines, handcrafted cocktails, and a lively atmosphere that beckons diners to visit again and again.

Executive Chef David Gross

Executive Chef David Gross

Chef David's culinary career takes inspiration from his Midwest upbringing, where he spent many afternoons helping his mother make homemade pierogies. He became enamored with how the artisanship of cooking is elevated by each chef's (whether professional or home cook) personal passion and touch. 

 

After eight years working at local restaurants around Cleveland, David accepted his first sous chef position at a local Brasserie style restaurant, Table 45. Following this experience, David accepted a position at Urban Farmer Cleveland where he began learning the craft of whole animal butchery and the importance of farm to table cuisine.

 

In 2017 David and his now wife moved to Colorado where he served as sous chef and executive sous chef at Panzano. After two years, David accepted a position as executive sous in Charlotte at Angeline's, an Italian restaurant located inside the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel. While Charlotte proved to be a great growth experience for Chef David, returning to Panzano, for David truly felt like coming "home." 

 

In his free time, Chef David enjoys hiking in the mountains with his wife and dog, fishing, off-roading and traveling the country. 

kevin panzano gm

Kevin Denman, General Manager

 

Kevin Denman grew up in New Jersey, where he began his restaurant career in fine dining establishments such as Roots Steakhouse, The Bernards Inn and Ryland Inn. In 2013, he moved to Colorado to finish his degree at Johnson & Wales University, where he earned a B.A. in Sports, Entertainment & Event Management and Minor in Food & Beverage Management. Upon graduating, Denman joined The Kitchen Restaurant Group as a general manager, where he spent seven fruitful years honing his skills overseeing all operations in a high-volume restaurant setting.

 

After the pandemic, Denman took a break from the restaurant industry, married the love of his life, Ciarra, and bought a house in Denver. He then took an opportunity to run the food and beverage programs at the Denver Zoo as director of food & beverage operations, where he led and directed a team of over 175 employees.

 

As the General Manager at Panzano in Denver, Denman brings his wealth of experience and dedication to excellence to ensure every guest has an outstanding dining experience.