ARIZONA & CALIFORNIA
Phoenix
Mokarabia Coffee Bar
www.mokarabia-usa.it
21067 W. Main St., Verrado 623-466-9945
The prestigious Bolognese coffee company Mokarabia S.p.A. has finally expanded stateside. Offerings include both Italian- and American-style espresso drinks, as well as delicious Italian treats, including freshly made pastries.
Tucson
Roma Imports
www.romaimports.com
627 South Vine Ave., Tucson, AZ, 520-792-3173
Along with imported Italian foods, Roma is known for its incredible homemade specials. The pizzas, calzones, olive spread, chicken cacciatore and vegetarian dishes are highlights. But the trademark food might be their fresh sausage, made every Monday.
Vivace Restaurant
4310 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, 520-795-7221
A local favorite, this sophisticated eatery accommodates everything from romantic first dates to festive group dinners. Don’t miss the crab-stuffed chicken breast.
Los Angeles Area
Ca’ Del Sole
www.cadelsole.com
4100 Cahvenga Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-985-4669
A charming Venetian-style trattoria within walking distance of Universal Studios. Diners indulge in hearty Northern Italian cuisine like bigoli, a thick spaghetti from Venice.
Celestino
www.calogerodrago.com
141 S. Lake St., Pasadena, 626-795-4006
Chef Calogero Drago’s simple, elegant dishes have made this Pasadena trattoria a local favorite. Native-Italian waiters, tasteful decor and an intimate winebar set the scene.
Drago
www.celestinodrago.com
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-828-1585
Renowned chef Celestino Drago’s ode to his Sicilian roots; this Santa Monica jewel has been wowing critics and locals alike since 1991.
Enoteca Drago Ristorante
www.celestinodrago.com
410 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-786-8236
Master chef Celestino Drago’s quintessential neighborhood ristorante and pizzeria, where you can find more than 250 bottles of wine as well as a mouthwatering array small plates.
Il Tiramisù Ristorante
www.il-tiramisu.com
13705 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-986-2640
Welcoming owner Ivo Kastelan and son Peter offer a wide selection of Northern Italian cuisine with a side of European family hospitality.
L’ Opera
www.lopera.com
101 Pine Ave., Long Beach, 562-491-0066
Housed in a turn-of-the century landmark building, this romantic eatery charms diners with sophisticated dishes, an acclaimed 54-page wine list and tuxedoed tenors.
Maria’s Italian Kitchen
www.mariasitaliankitchen.com
29035 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Agoura Hills, 818-865-8999
11723 Barrington Ct., Brentwood, 310-476-6112
16535 Arminta St., Van Nuys, 818-786-4833
16608 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-783-2920
9161 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, 818-341-5114
3537 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 626-351-2080
3979 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-683-1411
13353 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-906-0783
23460 Cinema Dr., Valencia, 661-287-3773
10761 Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles, 310-441-3663
23331 Mulholland Dr., Woodland Hills, 818-225-0586
Lovingly prepared Neapolitan food from the Alfano family. Maria Alfano opened the first restaurant in New Jersey in 1975, and daughter Madelyn brought the family recipes to California in 1985. Despite expansion to eleven West Coast locations, the restaurants retain a family feel.
Pecorino
www.pecorinorestaurant.com
11604 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310-571-3800
Two former Tuscan waiters and Rome-trained chef Raffaele Sabatini run the show at this cozy, white-tablecloth eatery.
San Diego
Trattoria Acqua
www.trattoriaacqua.com
1298 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858-454-0709
Chosen by USA Today as one of the top ten dining destinations in America, Trattoria Acqua offers a twist on Italian cuisine. Chef Damaso Lee uses organic ingredients in inventive dishes, such as lobster pot-pie and bistecca chiantina served with Gorgonzola cheese. If your plate is craving a more traditional taste, try the selection of handmade pastas.
San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma
A 16
www.a16sf.com
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, 415-771-2216
Chef Christophe Hill brings the cuisine of Campania and wood-fired pizza of Naples to San Francisco’s Marina neighborhood. Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food, proclaimed it “the first Italian restaurant I like—outside Italy.”
Piatti Danville
www.piatti.com
100 Sycamore Valley West, Danville, 925-838-2082
Enjoy a glass of local or Italian wine by the fireplace in this elegant Tuscan dining room. Chef Michael Baker shops at local farmers’ markets to bring seasonal specialties to his patrons each night.
Acquerello
www.acquerello.com
1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, 415-567-5432
Chef Suzette Gresham reinvents traditional Italian favorites in a light, contemporary style, earning her a place on Wine Spectator’s list of “America’s 10 Best Italian Restaurants.”
Bistro Don Giovanni
www.bistrodongiovanni.com
4110 Howard Ln., Napa, 707-224-3300
A warm and rustic Napa Valley favorite with a wood-burning fireplace and romantic outdoor terraces. Surrounding gardens provide the fresh produce found in many of chef Donna Scala’s recipes.
Bovolo
106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2962
Husband-and-wife team John Stewart and Duskie Estes make everything from scratch—salumi, gelato and pizza—at this 25-seat café in Plaza Farms, a market for local bounty: olive oil, cheese, chocolate, produce and wine. The fennel and pork sausage burgers are a must.
Frantoio
www.frantoio.com
152 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley, 415-289-5777
This traditional Tuscan-style eatery takes full advantage of local produce and cheeses, not to mention its own in-house olive oil press, on view behind a glass wall in the main dining room.
Santi
www.tavernasanti.com
21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-1790
Santi’s creative and seasonal menu is made with locally grown ingredients and has earned rave reviews; the New York Times says it offers “some of the most heartwarming Italian food outside San Francisco.”
The Sardine Factory
www.sardinefactory.com
701 Wave St., Monterey, 831-373-3775
Enjoy beautifully prepared local seafood served in the four grand dining rooms and glass-roofed conservatory at this Cannery Row landmark.
Zazu
www.zazurestaurant.com
3535 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-523-4814
This innovative roadside eatery has a menu that changes daily, depending on what’s fresh from local Sonoma-County farmers (Chef John Stewart makes pasta using the eggs from his own chickens). A recipient of Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” for the last four years.
