Long beloved for its sauce-laden pizza and drive-thru take-out window, the north Denver family-run Italian restaurant Valente’s dishes up another smart offering as it celebrates its 44th anniversary. Throughout August, Valente’s will serve a two-person, reservation-only, five-course meal (bruschetta to homemade ravioli) plus a bottle of wine for $44. Those prices are better than Restaurant Week, and the service should be too. Every night at Valente’s, 83-year-old founder Ray Valente Sr. is on hand to ensure the place runs like clockwork.

6995 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, 303-421-5115