Team Bios
Katie Nierling, General Manager
My restaurant career has come full circle at Gaetano's because I began in this business as a teenager in a small, family owned Italian restaurant in Littleton, Colorado, Luigi's Italian Restaurant.
I graduated from the University of Denver in 2004 and shortly after began working at Le Central, the Affordable French Restaurant, one of the best and longest standing restaurants in Denver.
The budding craft beer industry caught my attention and it was a stroke of luck that I was hired by Breckenridge Brewery to open the Ale House at Amato's on 16th and Central in the Lower Highlands. The Ale House was an instant success and a testament to the integrity of the Breckenridge and Wynkoop Holding Company.
I came to Gaetano's excited for the challenge of keeping an old favorite alive while giving her new life.
Come by for a classic cocktail, delicious food and great neighborhood vibe! Ciao and Mangia!
Kyle West, Undercover Gin Smuggler
Born and raised in south Golden, I went from being an electrician to working for the esteemed Jamie Fader and James Lee at Lola. El Camino was my next home followed by Euclid Hall... and now I have found my new home and creative outlet at Gaetanos. Meet my alter-ego ... Mistico Flaco Francisco… who is Mistico Flaco Francisco you may ask? You might know him as Kyle West… but he is really a nightrider who fights off drunk drivers tearing around corners and ramming into parked cars. He is a man who might appear little and un-daunting, but he can turn on a dime and shake you down faster than a perfectly shaken cocktail!
Daniel Ramirez
My culinary career starts in 1994 at Trilussa restaurant in Encino, CA. I spent nine years with two Italian chefs, Giovanni and Luigi who, in Italian, taught me preparation, method, the various regions and the Italian food culture. I believe truly in my training and therefore preparation and presentation of food is art.
I traveled in California, Hawaii and Las Vegas to open other Trilussa restaurants. While in Hawaii I traveled to Rome to fine tune my language and culinary art knowledge of traditional recipes of the old country.
After Hawaii, I moved to Las Vegas and I worked in and opened Macaroni Grill, Il Fornaio, Bertolini's, Restaurante Portabella and Canaletto (in the Venetian Casino).
I then arrived in Denver to open the Il Fornaio in the DTC.
I then had the distinct honor and privilege to work for the traditional and popular Pagliacci's with a 66 year legacy in North Denver. I now have the opportunity at my new home, Gaetano's to continue serving authentic Italian food for the community of Denver.
