Our Focus
Our focus is on bringing a combination of traditional Italian dishes together with some innovative ones created within the boundaries of modern Italian cuisine.
The pastas, breads, sauces, and desserts are all made at the restaurant from fresh ingredients. Our wine list features a large selection of wines fromItalyandColorado, and whenever possible, we use local ingredients in our kitchen.
There is always something going on at the Bistro, so look at the Events Section to learn of special wine nights, cooking classes or other featured events.
THE OWNERS
Brunella Gualerzi was born and raised in Bibbiano,Italy. Bibbiano is a small village in the Northern region called Emilia Romagna, which is considered the food epicenter ofItaly. From a young age, her mother taught her how to make pastas, sauces and other traditional dishes and her passion for food was born. Many of those dishes are now regulars on the Bistro’s menus. Brunella came to this country in 1990 and attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction. After her graduation in 1994, she worked in Grand Junction until she opened the Bistro in 1998.
On the first day the restaurant opened, Brunella met Ronald Hall. They married one year later and Ron joined her at the Bistro in the year 2000. Ron has a long history in the restaurant industry in Grand Junction. For 28 years, Ron was the manager of the Winery Restaurant where he charmed countless guests with special attentions and his famous tricks. Ron and Brunella now run the Bistro with the help of their capable administrative manager, Lori Smith.
A few months a year, Brunella’s mother, or “Mama” as everybody calls her, visits the Bistro. She comes from Italy to check on her daughter and son-in-law, to help out, and to make everybody laugh. If you are lucky, you may spot her at one of the front tables or cooking in the back of the kitchen.
Location & Hours
il Bistro Italiano Restaurant is located at 400 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
We are open for Lunch, Monday through Friday from 11 am to 2 pm in our West Room and on the Patio. The East Room can also be reserved for private lunches or special events by calling ahead of time.
il Bistro Italiano is open seven days a week for Dinner, Monday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9 pm and Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm. You can sit on our patio and enjoy our beautiful Colorado late afternoons and evenings most of the year. Our patio is on Main Street and we enclose and heat it during colder days. It is closed only for the coldest 3-4 months of the year.
