HEART OF JERUSALEM CAFE

3.25 stars

4587 Austin Bluffs Parkway, 80916 (second location in Manitou Springs), 685-9554; heartof jerusalemcafe.com

The Heart of Jerusalem location near Doherty High School is a cozy, casual little nook. The fare is hearty comfort food, with sandwiches and platters highlighting Mediterranean flavors like garlic, lemon and olive oil. Service is fairly quick, although it slows down as the restaurant fills. The meals are served on disposable or plastic plates and dishes.

DISHES NOT TO MISS: Manakeesh ($4.99), falafel platter ($7.99), babaganooj ($7.99)

PARAVICINI’S ITALIAN BISTRO

4.8 stars

2802 W. Colorado Ave., 80904; 471-8200, paravicinis.com

Bright and warm, the high-ceilinged room beckons you in, with painted, exposed brick on one side and an open kitchen on the other. The fare is bright, fresh and prepared with great attention to detail.

DISHES NOT TO MISS: Steak Paravicini ($23.94), Veal Giuseppe ($19.95)

PHO-NOMENAL VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

2.75 stars

5825 Stetson Hills Blvd., Suite 100, 80923; 597-0277, phonomenal restaurant.com

Two visits netted two very different experiences. While the food was decent, the service varied from warm and friendly to cold and aloof. The restaurant focuses on two of my favorite foods, pho soup and bun noodle bowls, but neither one is a shining example of what Vietnamese food can be.

DISHES NOT TO MISS: Vegetarian pho ($6.50 small), vegetarian pan-fried egg noodles ($10)

Paravicini’s Italian Bistro is that rare restaurant that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s private kitchen, in this case in an Italian villa. Even better, Paravicini’s delivers solid Italian classics and original dishes. Here, the Calamari Fritti Arrabiato.

Heart of Jerusalem Restaurant Thursday February 13, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney

Jeff Kearney