Kansas Crimson

Top 3 Italian ( can't count Olive Garden because it would take the whole list ) in the Portland, ME area:

1. Ribollita
2. Piccolo
3. Corner Room

All different types of Italian. I expect no Chicagoans to agree with my choices - being that I eat very little "authentic" Italian food.
1) La Scarola
2) Spiaggia
3) Gene & Georgetti's

La Scarola's in demand dish:

1) Portofino
2) Giuseppe's
3) Bella Note

I had to debate with myself over the top two, they're really tied. Both are very good.

There’s not really any true “Italian” joints in my area. There’s this place called Leo’s Kitchen that I think is Italian-ish, but expensive and changed names/ownership a bunch of times and not particularly popular at least among locals.

A few good pizza joints though, if that counts. And the happy hour mozz sticks and marinara aren’t bad at the WP pub.

We have no italian places.

Chicago North Shore (non-Evanston):
1. Napolita
2. Francesco's Hole in the Wall/Next Door Bistro
3. Mino's

In KC -

1 - Osteria Il Centro
2 - Garozzo's
3 - Cascone's

I like all 3 of those places. And Italian food is not bad in KC.

But, IMO, Italian food in KC is so unspectacular that we could come up with several different top 3's for Italian food and it would not be egregious.

At least it's not STL, though, where they think Italian food is spectacular and it's rather ordinary. T-Rav's baby!

STL also thinks cheese on crackers counts as pizza

CrimsonNBlue wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 11:29 am I like all 3 of those places. And Italian food is not bad in KC.

But, IMO, Italian food in KC is so unspectacular that we could come up with several different top 3's for Italian food and it would not be egregious.

At least it's not STL, though, where they think Italian food is spectacular and it's rather ordinary. T-Rav's baby!

As long as Lidia's isn't on your list, I assume your list is reasonable.

The best things at Lidia's are not even Italian. Other than the homemade tiramisu, which is admittedly really good.

But otherwise, have fun paying $30 for pasta that is quite literally what could be bought at Whole Foods for $4.

CrimsonNBlue wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 11:57 am The best things at Lidia's are not even Italian. Other than the homemade tiramisu, which is admittedly really good.

But otherwise, have fun paying $30 for pasta that is quite literally what could be bought at Whole Foods for $4.

Not sure "could be" is exactly right.

Farina
Lidia's
Paulo & Bills

pdub wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:13 am La Scarola's in demand dish:

I tell them no peas - also I usually go with steak (vesuvio) instead of chicken (vesuvio).

I'll take those peas please.

Speaking of Italian - how's Piasano's doin!?
I loved how Olive Garden Piasano's was but in a small town strip mall Lawrence way.

New Haven may have had the best Italian food per capita of any city in the country.

Geezer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:23 pmFarina

Glad you made it there. No better place for pasta.

pdub wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:13 am La Scarola's in demand dish:

That may taste great, but the plating can use some work. Looks like cat barf.
No offense Gutter. You didn't plate it.