Call me an Italian food junkie, but I rarely visit a destination without trying to find the best local Italian restaurants. It seems no matter where you go, there will always be at least one decent Italian restaurant. I have even found great Italian food in such far off places as Hong Kong and Dubai. A friend of mine once ribbed me about eating at Italian restaurants 3 nights in a row on one of our trips. I told him that if I had my way I would be living in Rome and eating Italian every night of the year.

So on our recent trip to Vail, Colorado, the first thing we did was seek out what the locals consider the best Italian restaurant. If you talk to enough people in town, you will find that there are actually two Italian restaurants that are consistently recommended. We chose Campo De Fiori because it was the most recommended by everyone we spoke to. And I can see why.

First, if you visit this restaurant, be prepared for a very casual environment. The arrival experience starts with a hike up a flight of stairs into a crowded gathering area pinched between the bar and the hostess stand. It almost felt like walking into the backdoor of someones kitchen. But do not be put off by your initial instincts. The hostess (Audrey) will greet you like an old friend and they really go above and beyond to make you feel at home. The decor is rustic and casual, and they have a beautiful open kitchen where you can watch Chef Simone and his team working away. But do not come here for the decor. The food is the star of this show.

What impressed me from the beginning was when we inquired about their appetizer with burrata cheese. I asked why they were serving this dish with grilled radicchio rather than heirloom tomatoes. They told me that they could not get good tomatoes this early in season so they wanted to put something of quality that would compliment the sweet burrata cheese. That is exactly how a true Italian chef thinks - always use fresh ingredients and never become a slave to a pre-printed menu. We also really appreciated how they let us take our time and enjoy each course.

This is definitely a restaurant worthy of foodies, especially if you are looking for a casual and relaxing dining experience. If weather permits, I highly recommend you request a table on their deck overlooking Vail Village with views of the surrounding mountains.

Sunday - June 10, 2012