ITALIAN
Amalfi Ristorante
292 S. Atlanta St., Roswell
770.645.9983, amalfiatlanta.com
Real southern-Italian food is served in an intimate room scattered with gorgeous panoramas of the Amalfi Coast.
Baci Italian Cuisine
174 N. Glynn St., Ste. F, Fayetteville
770.460.0400, baciic.com
Portion control comes easy here with options under each dish for piccolo, mediano or famiglia. Casually delicious, this is a great spot for family dining.
Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant
5670 Atlanta Hwy., Alpharetta
770.475.9100, casanuovarestaurant.net
Hearty Italian food is served up with familial tenderness that won't break the bank.
di Paolo restaurant
8560 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta
770.587.1051, dipaolorestaurant.com
A wood-burning oven and authentic Northern Italian flavors characterize this neighborhood gem.
La Grotta
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody
770-395-9925, lagrottaatlanta.com
Northern Italian fare is served in a lovely Tuscan-influenced dining room. Be sure to venture onto the porch for a more casual experience.
Mama Lucia's
236 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan
770.253.2501, mamalucias.com
Chef Len brings family secrets to the table in this authentic Italian eatery.
Pascal's Pasta
217 Commerce Drive, Peachtree City
770.632.0112, pascalsbistro.com
French-born chef and owner Pascal Le Corre has expanded his fresh pasta bar into an all-day affair, featuring 15 different meats and vegetables, four types of pasta and four homemade sauces.
Pasta Max Cafe
50 Griffin St., McDonough
770.320.9311, pastamaxcafe.net
No fuss eating with some finger-lickin' good pastas, pizzas and salads. It's quality Italian food. No strings attached.
Taverna Fiorentina
3324 Cobb Pkwy. S.E., Vinings
770.272.9825, tavernafiorentina.com
Feast on fresh local produce and delectable house-pressed pasta at this little slice of Tuscan heaven.
Villa Christina
4000 Summit Blvd., Dunwoody
404.303.0133, villachristina.com
Don't wait for a wedding invitation for an excuse to visit this lovely three-tiered villa. It's one of the best Italian spots in the city.
mediterranean
Blu Greek Taverna
26 Mill St. N.W., Marietta
770.429.4096, bluegreektaverna.com
This upscale restaurant serves traditional organic plates like mousaka and souvlaki in a room chockablock with picturesque scenes of Greece.
Simpatico
23 N. Park Square, Marietta
770.792.9995, willieraes.net/simpatico.html
Dine on fiery dishes in the downstairs restaurant or in the upstairs private room for a memorable Mediterranean evening on the Square.