The Swiss Chalet in Woodland Park, first opened in 1962, has changed ownership with residents Roberto and Elizabeth Calcagno taking over as new owners at 19263 US-24 (per The Gazette). The restaurant name will remain the same with a new logo, fresh decor, and a more-focused European food menu set to debut in mid-January.
“We’ll keep Alpine-style charm,” Calcagno told What Now Denver. “We are going to revitalize the interior with more light, lighter wood ceilings, and make it more contemporary.”
This will mean removing the table cloths and replacing an extensive menu with a one-page, alternating mix of gourmet foods from across Europe.
“We will bring in food to make it more uniform from everywhere in Europe,” Calcagno said. “Paella Valenciana (with the original chicken and rabbit), Polish pierogies, Fiorentina steak from Italy — one or two of the best dishes from countries throughout Europe.”
Calcagno, whose background as a chef hails all the way from working in pizza restaurants in Genova (Genoa) in northwest Italy, will team up with The Swiss Chalet’s retained current executive chef, Jerrod Doss, who took over at the restaurant three months ago after working at the famed French Laundry in the Napa Valley. From day one, the new owners are aiming for Michelin-style food. This ambition will include ingredients from local farms and high-end food distributors, incredible food presentation, and exceptional service “without any hiccups.”
“Don’t expect a plate of pasta,” Calcagno said. “It’s going to look like a three-star Michelin meal.”
The owners are local residents and expect to continue The Swiss Chalet’s outstanding local impact. The Calcagnos are the third owners since its 1960’s founding post purchasing the location from the Levy family who ran the restaurant for 23 years. Founder (and former Woodland Park mayor) Neil Levy passed away in 2020.
There will be approximately 50-60 seats over 1,500 square feet in the redesigned space. This will be Roberto and Elizabeth’s second Woodland Park restaurant after opening Mountainara Cucina Italiana this past August.
