"US" city with the Best Italian Food?

[maveric]

I've eatan Italian in NYC but still say the Boston's is best. I grew up there and am a bit biased.
I'm sure that there are many towns with great Italian food but I chose area with large Italian populations for this mindless poll.
Whats your town for Italian?

[Book Lover]

1. Venice

I had the best meal of my life in Venice.

on edit: I should die of shame for misspelling Venice, and not running spell check. Ack!

[maveric]

3. Let me change the title to "US" city.

[Book Lover]

10. Well, since I can't re-vote

I'll have to cast a shadow vote for NYC :-)

[Patiod]

66. Where was your amazing meal?

I had two: one at Ai Gondolieri near the Guggenheim and one at Banco Giro right off the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal. Ai Gondolieri made the best mushroom risotto I've ever tasted - I forget what the entree was because we were all too stuffed by the time it arrived (the bill was appalling, but fortunately my company picked it up)

And BancoGiro is only really a wine bar, but they had a mozzerella, tomato and tuna tartar dish that was perfect, as well as a branzino carpaccio (thin slices of branzino sushi). Not a combination I'd expect to be good, but it was. And cheap (for Venice)

A lot of the other food I had was mediocre - thank God I like cold marinated seafood salad (squid, etc) because I could always fall back on that.

[Fenris]

2. Some place in Italia?

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

4. Which Italian? Southern, Northern or Italian-American?

I've only eaten 'real' Italian food in one place here in NYC. Most have Italian-American cuisine and most other authentic Italian restaurants have southern Italian cuisine and/or an Americanized version of 'northern' Italian cuisine.

If I'd wanted to be a smart-ass, I'd say "Any city where my parents live!" because they can both cook great!

[In_The_Wind]

5. Little Italy in lower Manhattan is the best!

[GOPisEvil]

6. I'm casting a vote for St. Louis. Under-rated and unappreciated.

The Hill is home to some fantastic Italian cuisine.

Of course, there in San Diego is a fine Italian place: The Venetian. :9

[maveric]

12. The Venetian is good. So is "Etna" in City Heights.

But living in San Diego the past 26 years I cant see it up there with some of the cities I mentioned in the poll.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. Is the Hill near the old baseball stadium?

I had respectable Italian food in St. Louis then walked over to a baseball game.

[GOPisEvil]

20. It's on the other side of I-70. I've never walked to Busch.

But I guess one could. It's been a few years since I've been there though. Measuring distance is not my strong suit though. :dunce:

[Gormy Cuss]

22. Ah, then I haven't been. We didn't walk near I-70.

It was one of those 'been here forever' places with celebrity photos in the lobby. I do remember we walked into Busch without paying because it was late in the game and no one was at the open gate.:-)

[GOPisEvil]

24. Here's a crude map.

http://www.shopthehill.com/hill_map.htm

[jobycom]

32. Man, St. Louis tries to claim everything!

Blues, barbeque, now Italian food. Face it, it's a boring city. People bring other stuff there just to liven it up, and St. Louis tries to claim it does it best. Next they'll claim Chinese food and polka music.

Okay, yeah, I've never been to St. Louis, but that's how it seems from here!

[GOPisEvil]

34. Blame it on the Mississippi.

Lots of stuff came up from New Orleans.

I would never claim that St. Louis is the home to the BEST Italian food; just that it has better Italian food than one would think based on its location. And hey, the Hill is the birtplace of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. :)

[GalleryGod]

46. and his pals

[EstimatedProphet]

38. That's because everyone says it's so boring...

and then admits they've never been there.

[jobycom]

41. Touche! LOL. nt.

[EstimatedProphet]

37. That's where toasted ravioli was invented!

Good, good stuff!

[GOPisEvil]

39. Oh yeah!

Some good stuff! :9

[sasquatch]

7. The one with the Gambino's in it

[edbermac]

8. Boston...and don't forget, tomorrow is Prince Spaghetti Day!

Anthony!!!

[maveric]

14. I remember that commercial! "Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day".

Anthony Martinetti? Wasnt that the kids name?

[calico1]

71. Anthony.

Remember the mom calling "ANNNTHONY!" and the kid running through the streets to get home. LOL

[SiobhanClancy]

52. Who could forget?

I actually do still seem to make some sort of pasta on Wednesday:)

[Metta]

9. Not Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately. We've been looking high and low for a *really* good place that doesn't break the bank and haven't found it yet. To be fair, we've found a couple of quite acceptable places but I haven't seen anyplace that makes sauce better than I do. I'd love to hear suggestions from Pgh. duers.

[JVS]

17. Did you try Hoffstott's or More's?

Where have you been?

[Metta]

25. Never heard of these places, J.

Where are they? We/I've been to Noochi's in Canonsburgh - ordinary unless you add their house/red wine vinaigrette to the sauce and then I actually like it.

Primadonna in McKees Rocks - very pricey, food good as I remember.

Abruzzi on the South Side. I got violently ill there after eating their gnocchi in marinara and I haven't been back to their new location in the Holiday Inn.

Prima Bella in McMurry - not bad, nothing special we think. Sort of like an upscale Olive Garden.

Olive Garden - total dreck. They have that no taste thing going on.

Linguini in Pleasant Hills. We actually like this place; it's on the site of the former Don Pablo's in the Home Depot mall.

Someone recommended Davios although they said it was really expensive.

[Efilroft Sul]

27. Tillie's, on the border of McKeesport and Versailles

They have stuffed ravioli there the size of your hand. No kidding. When you order, you don't order a plate of ravioli; rather, you order by the number of ravioli you hope you can eat. I've been able to eat four in one sitting, but I just about exploded. Oh, yeah, the food's not bad.

Too bad you don't like Abruzzi's, though. It's my favorite.

[Metta]

44. Have you been to Abruzzi's since they've moved?

If so, how do you compare them if any change? It's not that I didn't like them, I got sick after eating there.

[Efilroft Sul]

68. Yes, I've been to the new Abruzzi's location.

To me, the food is as great as always. In fact, it's one of the few places I've dined at in America that can compare to some of the finer places I've dined at while in Italy, such as L'Orso 80 in Rome or Tre Pini in the Tuscan hills near Florence.

However, the sense of ambience is lost. The old Abruzzi's was this wonderful cramped place inside a bunch of converted rowhouses. It bragged about having the smallest bar in Pittsburgh. Now, its ambience is no different from any other hotel's restaurant, but the food still rocks. I love the pollo saltimboca, trotta, and tortellini especially. And that basil-infused olive oil to dip bread in? My, my, I have the vapors just thinking about it.

[Metta]

73. Hm, I'm more inclined to reconsider them now.

I've read several rotten reviews on line that slag them for food and service since the move as well as an uncaring manager which was contrary to my experiences. Btw, have you ever been to Linguini in Pleasant Hills? They recently moved into the mall where Home Depot is. We consistently like their stuff. They say they make everything from scratch.

[Efilroft Sul]

74. Not been to Linguini's yet!

However, I'll talk to the wife about it and try to get there sometime in the next two weeks.

Abruzzi's with an uncaring manager? Bah! Whoever wrote that review doesn't know what he or she was talking about. Tony (yep, we're on a first-name basis with the guy) is the kind of guy who will take crying babies and walk them around so the parents can enjoy a few moments of peace with their meals. He's great for giving complimentary desserts to people on the house if he likes you.

Arg. I'm drooling, and I just ate lunch.

[Metta]

76. Let me know how you like Linguini, backward man.

Do you know where it is?

[RPM]

62. hmmm

those were two that popped into my mind too....

[JVS]

72. I wonder why?

;-)

[JVS]

23. Not Italian food, but Max's Allegheny Tavern makes good German food...

at a reasonable price. And if you want some real good Wienerschnitzel and potato pancakes, McDade's Tavern on Hwy 286 is fantastic (although it's not fancy and their other entrees are not particularly great).

[Metta]

26. Where's Hwy 286?

My wife's vegetarian and we don't frequent places where you get an unwanted side order of cigarette smoke, allergies and compromised upper respiratory systems. Potato pancakes sound great, being a part of my Ashkenazic Jewish heritage.

[JVS]

45. Drive out 22 East from downtown and look for the beginning of 286 after...

the Spitzer's Nissan, Mazda, Toyota Dealership. Follow that a bit and your there. McDades has smoking in the bar, I think the restaurant is non-smoking and if that's not ok I think you can get take out. The potato pancakes are awesome there. As far as the More's and Hoffstots go:

Since I don't know where you live, I'll assume that you can get yourself to the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland and start from there. If you don't know where the Cathedral of Learning is, go to www.pitt.edu and figure out how to get to their campus because that's where it is.

More's: Go on Forbes Ave, away from downtown (it's one way there so, it shouldn't be hard) go until you are on the corner of Forbes and Craig st. (the museum should be on your right). Turn left and drive straigh a few blocks. More's should be about 2 blocks after craig intersects 5th ave. It's the ground floor of a white apartment building. If you hit center avenue, you've gone too far, turn right and circle the block. There is a subterranean parking garage across the street from More's.

Hoffstotts: This is out in the suburb called Oakmont. You want to start from the cathedral of learning again and make the same left turn onto Craig st. This time instead of crossing 5th turn right onto 5th and keep driving straight on 5th. Eventually 5th meets Penn ave and turns into Washington Blvd. Drive down Washington until you get to the river at which point you want to turn right. This road is Allegheny river blvd. Drive straight on this road and you will go through a small town named Verona, past verona is Oakmont. When you see a theater on your right call the Oaks theater, you want to turn left and get onto the road that runs parallel to ARB, heading the same way as you've already been going. Look on the left for "Hoffstot's Cafe Monaco"

[Metta]

47. Thanks for all the info, J.

We're in Canonsburg. ... don't know if you know where that is, between Bridgeville and Washington, just off of 79. I've passed McDades many times, I'm sure. A good buddy lives in Penn Hills and another in Johnstown. Speaking of wonderful food, do you know about Clem's Barbeque on 22 is just before the turn onto 56 into J'town? *Amazing* stuff. Not open Monday's. Well worth the drive.

I know where More's is, now that you clarify things. I've seen them *many* times but, since they're off my radar, have never given them a second thought. I'll check them out.

Thanks for the directions to Hoffstotts. I used to live in Highland Park so I'm vaguely familiar with what's over there. Speaking of over there, several other DUers recommended What's Cooking At Casey's over there. Ever been there? Also, ever heard of Armstrongs? They have places near the airport and in Castle Shannon.

:) :)

[JVS]

48. Penn Hills! That's where I'm from!

There is cheap and good Italian food in Penn Hills, especially if you don't mind casual dining atmosphere. I've heard good things about Tivoli restaurant on Rodi-road (the one you take from the parkway to get to Penn Hills), and if you turn right and go east on Frankstown there is a small italian restaurant a couple blocks after AZ Chevrolet, if you go even farther there is Leonard Labriola's Italian Grocery across from the Arby's.

Dad used to get Clem's BBQ and bring it home frequently when he was out golfing at Chestnut ridge.

I've never been to Caseys, maybe as a kid a few times, isn't it basically a diner like Pamela's pancake house?

Speaking of places along rt.22, if you want cannoli's or just really good cake, try Moio's bakery right before the Honda dealership on business 22.

[Metta]

49. Penn Hills, homeboy.

My buddy lives in one of the developments off of Seanor. Quiet, spacious.

I'll look into Tivoli's. I've heard of Labriola's. I think you may be closer to Clem's than Tessaro's in Bloomfield which is where I usually go for ribs. I know it's a smoky bar; I go during off hours and find I generally don't have trouble. Casey's seems to be a full sevice joint not like Pamela's. I read in another review, not this one, that they'd been voted best pizza in the burgh. http://alle-kiskitoday.com/articles/1634

I've been to Moio's and I like some of their stuff. A good place for a treat if you're in the area.

Is there anyplace else in town, in the east end that you like?

[Blue_Tires]

11. Providence, RI

[maveric]

18. The Patriaca's wouldnt have any other way.

If there was an extra spot on the poll list, Providence would be there.

[lukasahero]

21. Ding ding ding - Providence wins by a mile

(And this is coming from a Massachusetts resident!) :)

[semass]

53. Yes, Federal Hill!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

59. Providence by a mile

and even outside of Providence, Rhode Island is FILLED with great Italian restaurants.

[ET Awful]

13. Anybody that says NYC has never eaten Italian food in the North End

Boston's the best :P

[ForrestGump]

16. Not an East Coaster (not the Yankee-infested Northeast, anyway), so

places like Bawston and Noo Yawk are not ones I can comment on meaningfully.

In the Wild West, though:

Los Angeles - lots of restaurants of every description by virtue of the city's size and cosmopolitan nature...I've had great Italian food in many places here

Las Vegas - because of the type of place it is, and especially with the rise of the mega-resort -- and accompanying sharp increase in the cost of a Vegas vacation -- this place is loaded with a jumble of fine dining establishments, and what little I've sampled (don't eat out much because it's too expensive, usually not great for me, and once I finish work in the glitzy areas I just want to head immediately back to the safe, boring suburbs) I'd say that Italian food here is very well represented and very well prepared. Even since the IRS ran the Mafia out of town (a source of great chagrin to many who work here or visit).

Seattle - SOteric. :D

[Deep13]

19. Worcester, MA

Not as well known as the North End of Boston, but good stuff.

[MissMillie]

69. any particular restaurant?

:think:

[Deep13]

70. For one Leo Turo's on Shrewsbury St.

There are others, but I have not lived there for a long time.

[Beetwasher]

28. Anyone Who Says Anything Else Other Than NYC is Beyond Deluded

I mean, give me a friggin' break. You people are loopy, it's not even close.

[Redstone]

30. Ever been to New Haven or Providence? Or Philadelphia?

Redstone

[Beetwasher]

31. Yes

All of the above. They've got some good food, but it ain't NYC Italian. I'm not dissing their food, but let's face it, NYC is #1 for good reason, it's got the best restaurant's in the world. Period.

[Redstone]

29. New Haven, Connecticut. Of course.

You didn't know that? Shame on you.

Redstone

[Arkham House]

63. Seconded, Thirded, Fourthed...

...you get the idea. I still don't know all the pizza places here...but it's sheer heaven...

[jobycom]

33. Austin, Texas. We have some of the best Olive Gardens!!

:-)

[GOPisEvil]

36. Don't forget our Macaroni Grills!!

Oh, if you're ever in the mood to drop some coin on Italian cuisine, Vespaio is pretty good.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. Baltimore! Especially Ciao Bella!

http://www.cbella.com/

And though they don't have a "Little Italy", Rockville has a great Italian restaurant called Il Pizzico http://www.ilpizzico.com/

[supernova]

56. Is Valegia's still there?

I loved that place. I love Baltimore's Little Italy.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

64. Velleggia's...yes, still there last time I was there.

Now I'm hungry for Italian food! LOL

[DS1]

40. People actually eat that shit?

:hide:

[SOteric]

50. Not liking your garlic butter currently?

:spank:

[DS1]

54. Love it!

:*

[AngryAmish]

42. Chicago Italian Food

Most Italian places in Chicago do not make "authentic" Italian food. They make Chicago Italian food. I think that as a regional cuisine it is very nice. In fact I went to this joint on Grand on Saturday (I forget it's name) that did old time Chicago Italian. I had chicken vesuvio. It was great. Not every meal has to be a new invention. The classsics are classics because they are good.

I have been to a few places in Little Italy in New York. Yawn. Good, not great, very touristy. One of the best Italian meals I ever had was in the west village at a place called Po.

I have heard a lot of good things about providence. I'm looking for an excuse to go.

[sir_captain]

57. Po is a good restaurant

though not as good as it used to be under the Batali-Bastianich ownership. You're right about little italy too, and very few New Yorkers ever go there. I've lived here 20 years and have literally never eaten there.

If you liked Po, you should check out Lupa next time you're here--by far the closest I've had to the food I ate in Italy--it's probably my favorite restaurant in this entire country.

[AngryAmish]

60. Where is Lupa at?

I'm gonna visit in the next month or two.

(I went to Po about 4-5 years ago, I think.)

[sir_captain]

65. West village/soho border

Thompson and Houston

http://events.nytimes.com/gst/nycguide.html?detail=restaurants&id=1002207989262

[Patiod]

67. Coco Pazza cafe in Chicago

My port in a storm. Have spent many snowy or rainy nights in there, and the staff is as good as the food.

[ChoralScholar]

43. Tontitown, Arkansas -

settled by Italian immigrants. The food is unbelievable.

[Mikimouse]

51. Boston, hands down...

Long live Giro's!

[MrSlayer]

55. Philly without a doubt.

And it's called gravy you fucking medigons.

[maveric]

58. No its not! In Boston its "Fucken Sauce".

We nevah called it gravy.

[meow2u3]

61. New York!

Philly comes a close second.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

75. A little town in central NJ

where EVERYONE is Italian.

Raritan, NJ.