501 S. Pine St.
788-4205

Second Place: Edo's Squid

Third Place: La Grotta

Let's face it, any restaurant that wants to claim readers' hearts for best Italian restaurant is going to have to slay Mamma 'Zu first to do it and that's no easy task. Despite a reputation for long waits and surly service, the fact is no one does classic, delectable Italian like this place — and the lingering garlic breath that follows you home is proof enough of that. Its sister restaurant, Edo's, continues that tradition, albeit in a brighter space in an area with difficult parking. But readers know that food trumps all at Edo's. La Grotta stakes its claim with a traditional Italian experience that consistently draws out-of-towners and European visitors with its authenticity.