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Casual Italian a hit just off the Mall, Denver Post - May 11, 2005

When you're the dining critic and your office is downtown, invariably a co-worker just happens to pass by your desk around noontime to wonder if there are any interesting new lunch options.

And, almost invariably, the answer is no.

But to my great relief, that answer has changed for the time being, because Mici recently moved in.

This casual, family-owned eatery is just off the 16th Street Mall and along the light-rail line, making it a convenient stop.

Its contemporary setup makes it quick and easy once you're inside, too, including a large, legible menu posted so that everyone in line has access to it, counter ordering, enough staff members to take those orders and run food out to the tables, and a cozy, urban-style metal bar behind the counter where employees can serve up wine, beer and Italian liqueurs to the folks who drop in for happy hour.

It's not hard to be reasonably happy with an experience at Mici

any time of the day, though, because this is a pretty straightforward kind of place. Italian in theme and low-key in approach, it's run by owners Adam Vela and his wife, Kim Miceli-Vela, Kim's brothers Jeff and Michael Miceli and their parents Rosalie and Jerry Miceli. The word Mici is an abbreviation of their family name.

The family decided to eschew the caricature of Italian-style, so you'll find no red-and-white tablecloths or Chianti bottles hanging from the rafters. Instead they went with a lemon-and-lime color scheme, offset by vibrantly red-and-orange art.

The lines are simple, and the space is easy to navigate. The same can be said of the menu, a short roster of antipasti, salads, panini, pizzas and pastas, each category with a few variations and a couple of size options.

Since the salads and the pastas came with slices of buttery garlic bread, the bruschetta pomodoro ($6) made sense mostly as a snack with a glass of wine, and then it made a lot of sense, crunchy-edged garlic bread lightly toasted and topped with freshly chopped tomatoes that had their sugars brought up by the oven, fresh basil offering extra sweetness.

For dessert, Mici sells the locally made Espo's Cucina Dolce gelato ($3) in half-pint containers, along with addictive Fiorentino cookies (85 cents each), the Italian almond-lace cookies, here filled with chocolate.

This eatery doesn't break any new ground, but the ingredients are top-notch, and the place is inviting. Downtown could use a few more like Mici.

Dining critic Kyle Wagner can be reached at 303-820-1958 or kwagner@denverpost.com.

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Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News - March 17, 2005

NUGGETS NOSHING: Someone was in the kitchen with Denver Nuggets stars Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony. Twenty-five students from Dora Moore School visited the pizza place Mici, 1531 Stout St., on Wednesday for a lesson on nutrition and pizza making with the pro basketball players.

The cooking kids talked about how to make healthy choices at home and in restaurants, and made their own pizzas out of wheat crust and veggies.

Mici donated the food and closed the restaurant for the event.

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Try Mici for lunch or dinner - Denver Daily News

DENVER:
"There's a new place in town serving what many are calling the best pizza in Denver. Mici, a quick-casual, family owned and operated Italian restaurant located at 1531 Stout (the space formerly occupied by Johnny McGuires) serves more than just tasty pies and slices. It also offers a unique selection of pasta, panini, salads, and gelato along with beer and wine for lunch and dinner.

The name comes from Miceli, the last name that belongs to the siblings who own Mici. They've taken the recipes perfected by their parents and introduced them to the public. The sense of family is evident, and customer service is noticeably present at Mici. Orders are placed at the register and brought to you at a table. The flow is fast and smooth but not rushed and frantic.

Mici is a combination of old and new. The traditional Italian food is contrasted by a contemporary and hip atmosphere dominated by solid colors and minimal fluff. Mici has all of the comfort of a traditional mom and pop operation with the style and sophistication of today. There's a nice patio perfect for people watching as well.

Mici offers dine-in, catering and recently began offering delivery. They host happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m. featuring $2 Stella Artois and $3 glasses of house wine. Call 303-629-6424 to find out more."

Denver Daily News, "Try Mici for lunch or dinner", September 20, 2004.

Forget the suits and expensive dresses. If you're tired of Italian restaurants where the atmosphere is so tight you feel like you'll suffocate while you wait for your food, try Mici, where the atmosphere is lax, and the food comes fast and delicious. Read more...