Readers' Choice Dining Guide: Italian
The 10 Italian places, as voted by our readers
MetromixNovember 11, 2009
Pompilios Restaurant
600 Washington Ave. -
Newport
Remember the scene in the movie "Rain Man" where Dustin Hoffmans character knows the exact number of toothpicks spilled onto the floor of a restaurant? That restaurant is Pompilios, and the toothpicks are still on display, woven into an elaborate tapestry suspended above the dining room. This neighborhood mainstay has been cranking out homemade Italian specialties for 76 years, and the attached bar harkens back to the days before Prohibition with a cherry wood-back bar hand-crafted by George Weidemann Brewing Co. Dine outside and enjoy the bocce tournaments, or sit at the bar and cheer your team to victory with game day specials.
Maggiano's Little Italy
7875 Montgomery Road - CincinnatiMaggiano’s Little Italy, located conveniently in the Kenwood Towne Center, is perfect for a meal with a friend right after a long day of shopping. This Italian-American restaurant is known for its phenomenal Italian food and its large serving portions coming from the great "scratch" kitchen. The bar and lounge area is perfect for any occasion, especially the happy hour (Mondays through Wednesdays) and the live piano playing (Thursday through Sunday evening).
Primavista
810 Matson Place -
Cincinnati
Known and named for its panoramic views of downtown Cincinnati, Primavista is a favorite for romantic Italian cuisine. Peel your eyes away from the windows and view the menu, specializing in fine Italian, fish and veal. Look no further for the perfect place to impress your date. Order a glass of wine and toast to scoring a classy yet cozy spot with a great view. Bon appetite!
Bella Luna
4632 Eastern Ave. -
Cincinnati
Experience all the elegance of a fine restaurant without the smug attitude. Bella Luna serves authentic Sicilian and Calabrian cuisine in a funky, fresh atmosphere with a fabulous wine selection. Half-priced vintages are offered on Wednesdays. Some house specialties include saltimbocca (a dish with meat rolled in prosciutto with a marsala sauce), a swordfish roll, and braciola (pan-fried beef). Bella Luna offers spectacular drink specials as well, but an interesting fact is that in the six years of it being open, the owner estimates that 50-60 engagements have occurred to in his restaurant. On one night, he witnessed three proposals in a row at one table! Talk about romance! Bella Luna is not couples only though; it welcomes parties of all sizes (with reservations).
Brio
1 Levee Way - NewportLocated right next to Newport on the Levee's fountain and valet parking area, Brio is a chain restaurant that aims for the feel of a Tuscan country villa. The menu emphasizes prime steaks and chops, homemade pasta specialties and flatbreads prepared in an authentic Italian wood-burning oven. You might have a long wait an this popular spot, but fortunately the Levee offers unparalleled people-watching and views of the Cincinnati skyline.
Barresi's
4111 Webster Ave. - CincinnatiOriginal owners Sal and Odessa Barresi sold their restaurant to Sarah Wagner back in 2005. She had bused tables there in high school, and then returned after attending culinary school and honing her skills in a few other kitchens. While Wagner has adapted Barresi’s to a new generation of diners, she has remained true to what made this restaurant a classic in the first place: the family recipes. The white tablecloths and candlelight make the dining room very intimate, and the menu is filled with Southern Italian gems such as pesce Florentine and beef tenderloin with crab gorgonzola. Italian classics including Zabaglione and Cannoli are on the dessert menu.
Scotti’s Italian Restaurant
919 Vine St. - CincinnatiThis place is the real deal when it comes to Italian, complete with the red-checked tablecloths, tile-mosaic walls and wax-covered Chianti bottles. One of the few Italian eateries left without an American spin, the menu at this family-owned and operated restaurant hasn’t changed since 1953. The minestrone is great, the sauce is homemade, and the veal dishes are a favorite. Finish your meal with a few cannolis or the tiramisu. Admire the family photos and newspaper clippings that adorn the walls and the authentic Italian music as you enjoy your meal and a bottle of wine. A word of advice: Make reservations - Scotti’s fills up fast.
Ferrari's Little Italy Restaurant
7677 Goff Terrace - MadeiraFamily-owned and -operated since its inception 12 years ago, Ferrari's Little Italy calls itself "Cincinnati's best kept secret." The interior is intimate and inviting, and the outdoor patio features a lit stone waterfall and an Italian mural. The food is delicious and the portions are big enough to share with a friend, with enough left over for lunch the next day. Be sure to try the delectable Mama Bassano's lasagna. The bakery offers an extensive selection of breads and pastries and also serves sandwiches at lunch.
Buca di Beppo
2635 Edmondson Road - NorwoodIt's hard not to have a good time here, especially with a big crowd. In fact, the bigger the better. This Italian restaurant serves its meals family-style. That means you order a lot of different dishes and share. (You do have the option of being selfish and ordering a single-portion size, but that's really not as much fun.) The staff is friendly and the atmosphere festive. And it's unlikely you'll leave hungry.
Nicola's Ristorante
1420 Sycamore St.. -
Cincinnati
Who would guess there was an elegant, authentic fine-dining Italian restaurant at the corner of Liberty and Sycamore in Over-the-Rhine? Well, there is. At Nicolas, the Pietoso family serves a refined version of Italian food. Clear your schedule so you have time to do justice to dishes like Belgian endive with pears, Tagliatini with browned cauliflower and lobster or prime strip Caprese. In the summer, the small patio is exquisite. Other times of year, the converted cable car house is modern and comfortable. The dessert menu is filled with light Italian treats, delicious after-dinner cordials and coffee drinks--perfect after a filling meal.
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