Broomfield Restaurant Reviews

The concept of Bagali’s is very enticing to me.  I really, really wanted to like this place.  But after two visits, I just don’t think I’ll go back.

First off, Bagali’s is “New Orleans Inspired Italian” which sounds like an interesting concept to me.  And after visiting the oldest pizza restaurant on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain a couple weeks ago, it’s not as strange as you might thing.  The idea, as the manager explained to me on our first visit, is mixing traditional Italian food (like pasta and tomato sauce) with traditional New Orleans food (like blackened catfish).  So if you’re wondering where to go to get blackened catfish spaghetti, Bagali’s is the place.  In reality, though, the restaurant (or at least their patrons) seem to be most interested in their fairly ordinary pizza.

Our first visit was marred by spotty service.  It was just a bunch of little things, like the waiter taking away my one fork with my salad plate and then not bringing me another.  And the way he mis-pronounced items from the menu (“cannelloni” became “cantelloni”).  But the manager came by and Beth and I talked to him for a long time.  He seemed genuinely interested in our opinions and concerned about making his restaurant the best it could be.  I gave him tons of free advice, and then went back about a month later.

Sadly, that visit also was marred by spotty service.  Again, it was little stuff, like the waiter telling me they don’t serve Limonata when they do (he later apologized and gave me a can to take with me as we were on our way out the door, after the dishwasher told him where they’re kept).  But on that second visit, I came to realize the quality of the food just wasn’t good enough to make up for the so-so service.  And that means there’s just no real compelling reason for me to want to go back.

If you’ve had better (or worse) experiences at Bagali’s please leave a comment!

Bagali’s
570 Zang St.
Broomfield, CO 80021
(303) 465-9463

Yesterday, I had a few friends over.  I didn’t feel like cooking for them, and wasn’t too excited about the usual fast-food or carry-out options.  So we settled on ordering some pizza for delivery.  I’d just gotten a flier from Pudge Bros. Pizza, so we decided to give it a try.

We ordered two pizzas, a 14″ Hawaiian and a 14″ with half sausage and half pepperoni.  Delivery was reasonably prompt and courteous, but the pizza was unanimously blah.  Of the four of us, nobody was really excited about the two pizzas we got.  The crust was just so-so at best.  The cheese was pretty sparse.  And the toppings tasted like they were made by the lowest bidder, which is probably true.  In fact, I think the pepperoni was the blandest I’ve ever had.  I think they left out the “pepper” and just gave us the “oni” whatever that means.  I was hoping their “original zesty” sauce would liven things up, but it didn’t.

So, I told my friends that if I’m in the mood for pizza ever again in the future, don’t let me order from Pudge Bros. Pizza.  It’s tough to get a great pizza by delivery out here in the suburbs, but I think I’d rather just get something from the Taco Bell drive-through than eat this stuff again.

Pudge Bros. Pizza  (“Home of the Monster”)
1070 E 10th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80020
303-404-35555

Bloom gets my vote for the best restaurant in Broomfield. They’ve got a very extensive wine list, and top notch food. When Bloom first opened a few years ago, they had stellar service – the kind of delightfully attentive staff that were always there when you wanted or needed them. I’m not talking just about someone to come by and refill your water regularly, but a staff that really knows their wines, refolds your napkin for you when you go to the restroom, etc. But since then, the service level has dropped a bit to what I’d just call “good”.

Early on, I had what I think were the best scallops I’ve ever had at Bloom, though they changed the recipe of their scallops dish since then and I don’t like it quite as much. Beth loves their pate plate, and we both like their baked brie appetizer plate. The bread ranges from OK to great. And in addition to a good wine selection, they also have good mixed drinks; I occasionally get a mojito or martini there and have never been disappointed.

The cuisine is what I call “new American.” It’s a blend of traditional favorites with an upscale twist, along with American/Asian fusion dishes. They always have at least one delightful pasta dish, too, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal there. And I like their salads, too – way better than the usual green salad or even the slightly more modern but now-tired spinach and strawberry salad with raspberry vinaigrette (I am so sick of raspberry vinaigrette!).

All this good stuff doesn’t come cheap, though. Prices for entrees are mostly in the $15 to $20 range, but once you add in a couple glasses of wine or a mixed drink, plus a salad or other appetizer, plus a dessert to share, then you’re in the ballpark of $80 per couple. Beth and I once had a craving for Bloom when I was taking the day off from work, so we went there for lunch. We thought we could get by with a relatively inexpensive meal since it was lunch. Well, it was still $50 for the two of us. So we reserve Bloom for special occasions or times we really want something above the ordinary. Unfortunately, we can’t go every week, though I wish we could!

Bloom
1 Flatiron Cir
Broomfield, CO 80021
(303) 887-2800