The 34 Best Italian Restaurants in America

[Celerity]

Check out these trattorias, osterias, pizzerias, and nonna-driven holes in the wall.

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-italian-restaurants-in-america



Italy had its Renaissance a few centuries ago, but in the American dining landscape, Italian food is in a constant state of reinvention and refinement. Trattorias, pastarias, osterias, pizzerias, and nonna-driven holes in the wall have woven themselves into the American culinary fabric, offering up everything from fine-dining experiences to the kinds of gut-busting feasts that leave everybody at the table comatose and feeling like family. For our little tour of Italy, we scoured the country to find a bit of everything. And while our focus veered from the little, old-school red-sauce joints, we’ve assembled a glorious cross-section of regional styles, innovative fusions of style, and wood-fired glory. Grab a bib. Pour a glass of wine. And get ready for a nap. These are the best Italian restaurants in America right now.



Caruso’s Grocery

Washington, DC

Modeled off a classic “red sauce” joint, this restaurant features Italian-American dishes you might order in The Bronx or Brooklyn. From handmade pasta dressed up in dishes like rigatoni alla vodka and five cheese ravioli to hand-pulled mozzarella with basil-marinated tomatoes, both the vibe and menu would make Tony Soprano proud. The concept comes from chef Matt Adler, who wanted guests at the 65-seat concept to feel like they’re at home for Sunday dinner. Popular dishes include the chicken parmigiana, pork chops pizzaiola-style, and dessert classics, like New York-style cheesecake with strawberry preserves and a transcendent tiramisu.



No. 246

Decatur, Georgia

No. 246 dishes out inventive Italian fare inspired by authentic flavors and local ingredients in a sleek, modern space that somehow makes the food feel even more convincingly Italian. From pasta to wood-fired oven-baked pizzas, the entirety of the menu is delicious, but it’s the meatball appetizer that can’t be glossed over. Made from fresh pork, veal, and beef, dusted with basil and Parmesan, and served on a bed of spicy tomato sauce, these meatballs definitely put all others to shame.



Rezdôra

New York, New York

Chef Stefano Secchi brings the Northern Emilia Romagna region to NYC with Rezdôra, a rustic eatery that offers regional—and seasonal—favorites. The restaurant specializes in housemade pasta with dishes ranging from classic flavors like ragu tagliolini to those with more complexity like “grandma walking through forest in Emilia,” featuring cappelletti verdi with roasted leeks, baby leeks, and black mushroom puree. An entire section is also dedicated to appetizer-style cheeses, where items like truffle burrata and fresh bufala mozzarella make an appearance. The restaurant also offers a regional pasta tasting menu with a vegetarian option as well.

snip

[musette_sf]

1. I see Mosca's made the list

It was great 40 years ago, glad to see it's still great.

https://www.moscasrestaurant.com/

[Casady1]

2. Really

only one in NYC and one in Chicago. LOL

[Sneederbunk]

3. Illuminating. I thought there were only 32.

What about that Olive Garden in Encino?

[EYESORE 9001]

4. Yeah, and how about that Fazoli's just off the interstate?

[AngryOldDem]

6. I miss Fazoli's.

Their baked Italian subs were tasty.

[AngryOldDem]

5. This is why I come to the DU Lounge.

🍷🍝

[Elessar Zappa]

7. Yum!

I love good Italian food.

[smirkymonkey]

8. My apartment!

However, I don't have a lot of dinner parties anymore since Covid. I will have to start up again soon, since I really enjoy it.

I grew up watching an Italian grandmother and great aunt cooking all day (the heart of social life was the kitchen, not the living room) and picked up on everything, as did my brothers. We are all very good cooks, but can't exactly replicate their amazing tomato sauce which is the best I have ever had.

They had a big garden out back and were the most incredible cooks. They also made the best meatballs (crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, not dense), veal cutlets, fried zucchini flowers, eggplant parmesana, etc. Everything they made was exceptional.

I'm not really bragging, but I do get rave reviews from anyone who has ever been a dinner guest, saying that it is the best Italian food they have ever had. Ok, maybe bragging a little, but the key is the highest quality ingredients and most restaurants are looking to save money whereas I never skimp on ingredients, so you can tell in the final product. I have been to many of the best Italian restaurants named above in NY, Boston, SF and some other cities, but I always come to the conclusion that I can do better.

[Emile]

9. What, NO SpaghettiOs?

[malthaussen]

10. Wow, one of those restaurants opened "All the way back in 1998"

That made me laugh far more than was called for.

-- Mal

[Ron Obvious]

11. What? No Olive Garden?!

[Polybius]

12. On a real list, all 34 would be in NYC