Where are the good Italian Restaurants????

[Lincsong]

Where are the good independently owned and operated Italian Restaurants? The places where the food is large and the wine is good. (Sorry, no Olive Garden's please )

 

[Tomasso]

I love Spiaggia in Chicago though it's operated by a restaurant group and certainly wouldn't be considered a family style Italian restaurant (if that's what you mean by large food).

 

[rumblefish]

Mulberry Street in NYC. A must for Italian food when in the city.
fftopic: Lincsong, when is the trip to the Keys?

 

[rumblefish]

If ever on Long Island;
La Pace in Glen Cove http://www.lapaceglencove.com/
Maroni Cuisine in Northport http://www.maronicuisine.com/
Pasta Pasta in Port Jefferson http://www.pastapasta.net/

 

[Flivver]

Boston's North End has a wide variety of outstanding Italian restaurants. Which reminds me...it's been too long since I've been to one of them!

 

[Smithy]

Where are the good Italian Restaurant's????

Melbourne, Australia

 

[Randy]

Joe Bologna's - Lexington, Ky

It's family owned and operated, and has been from day one. Good food, great atmosphere, friendly staff - always a treat!

- R

 

[KittyT]

Pretty much anything in Boston's North End. Also, Amelia's Trattoria in Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA. Their homemade gnocchi is absolutely to die for. It just melts in your mouth!

 

[dhermann1]

Brooklyn

Likewise for Brooklyn. Wherever you have a longstanding Italian American population, you'll find pelnty of wonderful eateries. But the West Coast is another story altogether. How do you track the good ones down out there?
Considering how many websites there are dedicated to restaurants, there still isn't enough GOOD information.

 

[Feraud]

I will try any restaurant in any neighborhood but trust word of mouth from a local. Online and printed recommendations can be too easily biased.


My current favorite Italian restaurants are Bertucci's on Long Island and Forno in Astoria. Both have amazing pizza and meat entrees.

 

[John in Covina]

Location

Here in the San Gabriel Valley, I like Petrillos for it's Italian American cuisine and good pizza.

In Las Vegas I reccomend in the Venetian, Pieree Salvaggio's Valentino or their Valentino Grill, they are great.

As a chain, Buca di Beppo's does an extraordinary job of making flavorful Italian dishes. Their Frutti Di Mari is top notch.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Personally, I love The Baci Cafe in downtown Pleasanton, CA.

 

[RedPop4]

Depends upon the style of Italian.
For Northern Italian, "true" Italian there's Bacco on Chartres St. in the French Quarter (a Brennan property)

Irene's

Tommy's Wine Bar (Irene's ex-husband, I believe)

Brick Oven Caf?© out on Williams Boulevard in Kenner, near New Orleans International.

Andrea's

For Sicilian/New Orleans Creole Italian (lots of thick red gravy)
Fausto's Kitchen
II Tony's
Quarter View

Vincent's on St. Charles Avenue and in Metairie (although he's got a bit more sophistication than most of the others I'll list)

Pascal's Manale--originator of "barbecue shrimp."

Venezia--excellent cheese stuffed manicotti

The Lido--a little neighborhood joint in Marrero, near the hospital. A throw-back. Veal Impanante is worth the trip, though.

Many neighborhood poor boy joints have spaghetti and meatballs daily.

 

[univibe88]

Sal & Judy's in Lacombe, LA

Lucia Ristorante in Boston, MA

 

[Hemingway Jones]

La Dolce Vita on Hanover Street in the North End is a favorite. Wonderful atmospher too.
Waltham's own Chateau is amazing and very affordable. Sit in the Lounge for a club feel or The Gold Room to be surrounded by paintings of famous Italian Americans circa 1978.
Bottege Fiorentina in Coolidge Corner has amazing Italian take out (and small seating). I get my ritual Monday night Pollo Milanese here and had Spaghetti Bolognese last night. Their food has a strong Tuscan influence.
Carlo's in Allston is a gem.
Bon Appetito!

 

[Decobelle]

Roy’s Italian Dinners
218 D Street, Eureka, CA 95501
707-442-4574

Northern Italian specialties & fresh seafood. Full bar. Great atmosphere. Same family since 1945 - the kids run it now. I was first drawn to it by the sign, but the food and drinks are just as good...

 

[Lincsong]

Mulberry Street in NYC. A must for Italian food when in the city.
fftopic: Lincsong, when is the trip to the Keys?

I won't know when until my vacation request is approved. I get three weeks this year, but I have to wait until the end of March to see when I've been approved.[huh]

 

[Lincsong]

Has anyone eaten at Piero's in Las Vegas? It is across from the Hilton on Paradise Avenue.[huh]

 

[Diamondback]

Battista's Hole in the Wall down in Vegas comes very highly recommended, but every time I get down there they're closed.

 

[Lincsong]

I always say I'm going to eat there but I always forget once I'm there.:rage: I hate when I do that!!