Fine Italian cheese

Any serious diner who frequents Chicago knows about Spiaggia. Not only is this one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago, it’s one of the best in the country. For more than 25 years, it’s been impressing both diners and critics with exceptional food, service, and fabulous ambience. For a special evening out, Spiaggia is hard to beat.

The tiered dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows with drop-dead gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach. Read more…




Char-broiled oysters from Drago’s

Italians, many from the island of Sicily, started coming to New Orleans in the 1850s. And over the next twenty years, the city had the largest Italian immigrant population in the country. These immigrants brought Italian cuisine with them. But in New Orleans, where the holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell pepper rules, Italian food was combined with creole techniques and ingredients. Read more…




Casa Tua Italian restaurant, Miami

While Miami is known for its Floribbean cuisine, there are plenty of excellent Italian restaurants all over town. Many are located in romantic, old places with lovely patios that evoke an evening on the coast of Italy.

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Miami:

Read more…




As one of L.A.’s most popular restaurants, Pizzeria Mozza is packed from noon until midnight every day. If you’re lucky enough to nab reservations, you may still wait a while. Without them, it could be a long while. But most people agree the food will be worth the wait.

The joint venture of three noted restaurateurs, Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich, and Nancy Silverton — whose way with bread made her La Brea Bakery the best loved artisanal bakery in the country — Pizzeria Mozza is the casual cousin of the more expensive Osteria Mozza. Read more…




Bottega

Michael Chiarello is a genuine triple threat. An award-winning chef, TV personality, and successful entrepreneur, he has the golden touch. And he’s also a very nice guy.

So the opening of his new restaurant, Bottega, in Yountville last year was hotly anticipated. It opened to rave reviews and has continued to garner positive notices — and diners – in what is probably the best food town per capita in the United States.
Read more…




Kalalau Lookout

Hawaii is blessed with lots of locally grown fruits and vegetables, and a wide variety of fresh seafood. So the food on Kauai is very good. But after a week of kalua pork, coconut shrimp, and mahi mahi, you may find yourself craving some good Italian food.

Although Kauai doesn’t have an Italian restaurant on every block, like some cities, it does have several outstanding places where you can enjoy top-notch Italian cuisine and wonderful ambience. Read more…




Snapper from Spiaggia

The Windy City has so many great Italian restaurants that narrowing it down to ten is a challenge.

Virtually every neighborhood has at least one traditional trattoria where you can get a great plate of pasta and a good glass of wine. And these days, most Chicagoland suburbs have one too.
Read more…




Panna Cotta

Cooking in Tuscany is simpler than in some other parts of Italy. Grilled meats are a specialty, and no trip to Florence is complete without having Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Made from a thick steak cut from the local Chianina cattle, it’s seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, then grilled over charcoal. It might be the best steak you ever eat.

Chianti also comes from the region, so rabbit, boar, or deer braised in red wine are on most menus. Beans (fagioli) are also popular. Read more…




Arc de Triomphe

No one comes to Paris for Italian food. But if you return to Paris after several weeks of traveling in France, you may think an Italian restaurant sounds like a refreshing change of pace.

In a city that’s legendary for its food, you can expect the Italian restaurants to be as good as their French counterparts. They have to be outstanding to stay in business. Read more…




Bologna

In a country noted for exceptional cuisine, Bologna is a superstar. Some of the best-loved Italian food originated here, including classics like tortellini, mortadella, and tagliatelle. And the wine, cheese, and ice cream you’ll enjoy are the pride of Italy.

Chef Mario Batali spent three years in the Bologna area before introducing America to the pleasures of its cuisine. Read more…