Patrick Kelly was introduced as the new executive chef of Panzano in downtown Denver. Kelly was chef de cuisine at Michelin one-starred and San Francisco Chronicle 4-starred La Folie in San Francisco, executive chef at Angèle before moving on to executive chef of Culinary Operations for the Au Bon Repas group that included Gitane, Claudine, Café Claude, Gaspar Brasserie, and Café Claude II. Before leaving the Bay Area, Kelly assumed the role of opening Executive Chef of Lure + Till in the Epiphany Hotel for Commune Hotels and Resorts.
Born in Fremont Nebraska, Kelly and his family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming when he was 12 years old. Moving to Denver is a bit of homecoming for Kelly and his wife Bridget, also an accomplished Bay Area chef.
“I’ve been hearing about the progress of Denver’s dining scene from the Bay Area and have been impressed with the high level of creativity, professionalism and variety in the Denver restaurant community. Running the Panzano kitchen is a dream come true,” says Kelly.
Kelly’s new menus at Panzano bring a refined sensibility to the award-winning restaurant. Dinner appetizers include Sformato, a Parmigiano Reggiano custard or Trota Affumicata, a smoked Colorado trout dish. Guests can choose from three new pastas including a Gnocchi di Patate with lobster and crab, a braised lamb Doppio Ravioli de Vetri or Bucatini di Basilico with wild mushrooms, robiola and herbed breadcrumbs. Entrée choices like Anatra Arrosto, a Sonoma duck breast; Pesce Fresco, a crispy skin arctic char; or Anson Mills Farro Verde have all been popular. Many of these same items appear at lunch plus creative pizzas from the hearth oven along with the popular Power Lunch featuring three courses for $26. Breakfast and brunch menus follow Kelly’s theme of fresh ingredients, artfully prepared.
Named “Best Italian” by Westword, awarded three stars by AAA and 4 Stars by 5280 Magazine, Panzano was named one of America's Top Restaurants by Zagat.
Open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner daily, Panzano is located at 909 17th Street in the heart of Denver’s financial district.
