581733 Sat Dec 20 19:03:27 -0800 2008 0 6 Southwest 0 4262921 It's that time of year again. A cold night. The Denver Zoo. Christmas Lights and dinner. The lights at the Denver Zoo are a lot of fun, but the key is to get there around 8:30 so that most of the crowds are gone. The colder the better because that also contributes to fewer people. We began in Cherry Creek with dinner at Campo di Fiori. A favorite because the food is great, the menu terrific and the wine list extensive and reasonable. Our selection was a 2004 Rosso de Altesino which I had never tried before. Altesino produces some spectacular Brunellos so I was looking forward to this guy at $40 a bottle. It was good, not spectacular but very nice for the price. The olive bowl was the starter. Next came the grilled romaine lettuce salad with pancetta. Main courses were half orders of the squash ravioli and the pappardelle with mushrooms and sausage. All were prepared perfectly and tasted great. Yes, you can get half orders of any of the pastas for about $8-$9 and the portions are right on. This is one of the nice things about this place. Dessert was simple. One scoop each of chocolate and pistachio gelato. Sat Dec 20 19:03:28 -0800 2008 219495 chowmix