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…

Like most things in Southern California, the best Italian restaurants in L.A. are spread all over the place. To try them all, you’d have to go from Pasadena to Santa Monica. But it would be worth the drive. Because for an area with no well-defined Italian presence, Southern California has some fabulous Italian restaurants.

Choosing a winner is a challenge because it’s mostly subjective. Traditionalists vote for Valentino. Those more open to innovation might pick Mozza or Angelini. But wherever you go, you can count on fantastic local ingredients, cool California ambience, and a memorable night out. Read more…

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.
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The Napa and Sonoma Valleys of Northern California are a traveler’s dream with luxurious resorts, beautiful scenery, world-class wineries, and outstanding restaurants. In fact, the little town of Yountville has four restaurants with Michelin stars.

The area is still largely agricultural, so there’s all kind of fresh produce in abundance. And the lifestyle and climate have attracted artisanal cheesemakers, butchers, and more. Eating well is as much a part of wine country life as enjoying great wine. Read more…

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…

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.
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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…

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…

These days, Las Vegas is arguably the most exciting dining destination in America. The top resorts have brought superstar chefs from all over the world, including Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller, and Mario Batali. And 17 restaurants here have one or more Michelin stars.

You’ll pay top dollar to enjoy these world-class culinary experiences. But many of the top Italian restaurants in Las Vegas have less expensive grills, where you can dine more affordably. Read more…

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…