FLORIDA, GEORGIA and NORTH CAROLINA
Fort Lauderdale
Casa D’Angelo
www.casa-d-angelo.com
1201 N. Federal Hwy., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-564-1234
Award-winning Chef Angelo Elia has won enthusiastic praise from Wine Spectator for his Tuscan-inspired specialties and his restaurant’s elegant, unpretentious decor.
Il Toscano
www.iltoscanoweston.net
2282 Weston Rd., Weston, 954-385-5883
Enjoy superb service, scrumptious Northern Italian dishes, and exquisite lake views.
Primavera
www.restaurantprimavera.com
830 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-564-6363
Originally from Lake Como, chef Giacomo Dresseno has been drawing crowds at this South Florida institution for more than two decades.
Serafina Waterfront Bistro
www.serafinabistro.com
926 NE 20th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-463-2566
Chef Shari Woods “has a knack for taking the ordinary and rendering it sublime” says the Miami Herald of this waterfront standout.
TOSCANO GRILLE
www.toscanogrille.com
2120 Salzedo St., Coral Gables, 305-448-5111
Toscano’s menu boasts a repertoire of homemade pastas as well as meat, fresh fish and poultry dishes whose mild, smoky flavor comes from the oak-fired brick oven. Also noteworthy is the restaurant’s extensive wine list.
Key West
Antonia’s
www.antoniaskeywest.com
615 Duval St., Key West, 305-294-6565
An elegant, consistent standout, says Frommer’s of this 25-year-old Key West landmark.
Miami
Café Abbracci
318 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-441-0326
Owner Nino Pernetti greets diners with a handshake and a smile at this local hotspot serving critically acclaimed Northern Italian fare.
Fratelli La Bufala
www.fratellilabufala.com
437 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-532-0700
This Italian eatery (literally “the buffalo brothers”) offers “all things made from buffalo, including cheese, meat, sandwiches, pizza and pasta,” proclaims the Miami Herald. Be sure to try the fresh mozzarella di buffala—it’s flown in twice a week from Italy.
Osteria del Teatro
1443 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-538-7850
Everything is homemade at this South Beach favorite where patrons praise the charming, knowledgeable staff. “The best Italian bistro on the beach,” reports Frommer’s.
TiramesU
www.tiramesu.com
721 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, 305-532-4538
Besides its delicious pastas and succulent seafood, this Northern Italian standout on fashionable Lincoln Road is an ideal spot for people watching.
VITA
www.vita-restaurant.com
1906 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305-538-7855
Vita is no exception to owner Roberto Caan’s repertoire of trendy nightspots. This Mediterranean escape is reminiscent of the 1940s with a colorful outdoor patio, shaded by exotic litchi trees and brazilian tropical plants. Families and dates alike enjoy the traditional Italian menu selections, such as gnocchi alla bolognese and traditional thin-crust pizza.
Orlando
ANTONIO’S LA FIAMMA
www.antoniosonline.com
611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-645-1035
“Creating a little bit of Italy in central Florida” was owner chef Antonio’s goal, and he has succeeded. Dishes are authentic and regional, as Antonio explains: “Fish dishes are cooked the same as on the Italian coast, steaks the same as in Tuscany and risotto the same as in Milan.”
Positano
8995 W. Colonial Dr., Ocoee, 407-291-0602
This half white tablecloth restaurant, half casual pizzeria is one of West Orlando’s “best-kept secrets,” according to Citysearch. Don’t miss the New York-style pizzas, generously topped and cooked to perfection.
Palm Beach
Amici Ristorante
www.amicipalmbeach.com
375 S. County Rd., Palm Beach, 561-832-0201
One of Palm Beach’s premier dining establishments for more than a decade, Amici offers classic Italian cuisine, including an excellent selection of pasta.
Arturo’s Ristorante
www.arturosrestaurant.com
6750 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, 561-997-7373
Built as a replica of a Tuscan villa, this recipient of the DiRona Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) is consistently praised for its Torta Primavera and Seafood Antipasto.
Renato’s
www.renatospalmbeach.com
87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach, 561-655-9752
After a day shopping on Worth Avenue, step into a Mediterranean courtyard at this romantic Palm Beach hideaway for the well-heeled.
STEVE’S WOOD FIRED PIZZA
www.steveswoodfiredpizza.com
9180 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 561-483-5665
Owner Steven Greenberg introduces traditional Italian thin-crust pizza to Florida, creating over fifty varieties of artisanal pizza in a 900-degree, wood-fired Italian oven. “The oven seals in the flavor of the toppings and yields delicious, crisp pizza,” explains Greenberg.
Atlanta
Antica Posta
www.anticaposta.com
519 E. Paces Ferry Rd., NE, Atlanta, 404-262-7112
Voted best local Italian restaurant by Atlanta magazine, Antica Posta boasts an authentic Tuscan menu, an intimate dining room and charmingly opinionated waiters.
Baraonda Caffé Italiano
www.baraondaatlanta.com
710 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-879-9962
This cozy trattoria has won high praise for its crispy, Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in its wood-burning brick oven. Handsome waiters and a spacious bar draw the ultra-hip midtown set.
Bella Cucina
www.bellacucinaartfulfood.com
1050 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-347-6476
Beautiful jars of olives, fruit preserves, homemade pesto and pasta sauces line the shelves of this Italian-inspired specialty shop. Nibble on samples as you shop for everything you need to create an exceptional meal – even dishware.
Di Paolo
www.dipaolorestaurant.com
8560 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Alpharetta, 770-587-1051
The wood-burning oven and open kitchen in this elegant Alpharetta restaurant carries the aromas of authentic Northern Italian cuisine into a warm and cozy dining room, where service is impeccable.
Enoteca Carbonari
www.enotecacarbonari.com
710 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, 404-810-9110
The wood-burning rotisserie at this charming restaurant and wine bar is the secret behind the house specialties: roast suckling pig and cured meats. Mains such as grilled steak and eggplant Parmigiana are also delicious.
La Grotta
www.lagrottaatlanta.com
2637 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, 404-231-1368
Voted the best Italian restaurant in Atlanta for fifteen years in a row, this intimate trattoria in the heart of Buckhead offers outdoor seating in a beautiful garden filled with azaleas.
Pricci
www.buckheadrestaurants.com
500 Pharr Rd., Atlanta, 404-237-2941
Chef Piero Premoli makes frequent trips to his native Milan to scout for Italian delicacies to add to the critically acclaimed menu at this elegant trattoria.
Veni Vidi Vici
www.buckheadrestaurants.com
41 14th St., Atlanta, 404-875-8424
Chef Jaime Adams’ menu “is rife with food Italians actually eat,” says the Atlanta Journal Constitution of this midtownstaple where Atlanta’s business elite get together for power lunches.
