Table Talk

By Susan

August 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I do not understand why Meredith continues to rave about Sotto Sotto (including today). I had the most inedible restaurant meal of my life there. It was a special occasion, I ordered fish cooked in parchment, and the cooking oil was rancid or burned. It was truly disgusting. Rather than spoil the evening by complaining I simply ate around it. The waiter never came to check on the food, noticed I had not eaten it as he was clearing the table, and did ask about it then. Later, I emailed the chef, and his response was along the lines of “you should have said something sooner”—nothing more. Inexcusable at a restaurant with this kind of reputation.

By Jen

August 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Mmmm…Ippolitos!

By lovelyliz

August 22, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

There was this little hole in the wall down from the Navy base in Naples, IT. The absolute best Italian food!!!!!!!!!

By Cranberry

August 22, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Yes Jen! Ippolito’s…..YUM!

By Alex

August 22, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Little Taste of Italy… little place but awesome food . Located in Woodstock With Real italians you will not get wrong with there food.

By Luigi

August 22, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Antonino’s in Cartersville, in the old downtown section. Family owned and operated. OUTSTANDING !

By lawrencevillemom

August 22, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I have 2 favorites … Bambinelli’s in Northlake - we have been going there for almost 15 years and love the fact that Bonnie knows you when you come in the door. In Gwinnett we love Bi Ba’s on Sugarloaf Parkway - the tortellini Gabrielle is wonderful.

By Lynn Victor

August 22, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I agree BiBA’s on Sugarloaf is the Best!

By Laura

August 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

La Grotta on Peachtree Street.

By Edie

August 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Alfredo’s on Cheshire Bridge, yum! The Red Snapper in lemon caper “is to die for”.

By RK

August 22, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Why would fish cooked in parchment have oil? Anyway, I love Figo’s for their fresh pastas.

By David S

August 22, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Allegro on Dutch Valley off Monroe. Classic Italian with a modern twist.

Everything from apetizers to dessert (try the 3 flavored mousse) is beyond description.

Worth the drive from anywhere.

By YO FRIDA

August 22, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

ITALY!!!

By Southernboy

August 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Very subjective- My Mom’s family is from Northern Italy and Dad is of Scicilain heritage. For my “Norther fix” I love LaGrotta and for Southern Italian cooking I like Maggianos- my Favorite of all is SUGO !( in Roswell)- If you havent experienced Frederico Castellucci’s restuarant, you are really missing something !

By Contrarian

August 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

I know it’s heresy to say so in our end of town, but I find Bambinelli’s food awful, notwithstanding the proprietors, who seem quite nice. I’ve had much better experiences, and food, at Dominick’s in Norcross.

By C-Dawg

August 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

La Gratta

By BlueMoon

August 22, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Wow, I can’t believe the chain type places that are being mentioned here. If you want real Italian go to Nino’s or Alfredos on Cheshire Bridge or diPaolos on Holcomb Bridge.

By Token Gringo

August 22, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Little joint up in Woodstock at Trickum and 92 in the Publix shopping center. Can’t remember the name, but the food is unforgettable.
Salvatore on Roswell was good, but changed it’s name to Amalfi and is no better than standard frozen chain fare.

By LS

August 22, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Maggianos now that Carollo’s in Douglasville closed.

By Romona

August 22, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Alfredo’s!

By Marty

August 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

We stopped going there 2 years ago when they tried to charge $40 corkage for a wine we brought. Robbery! They told us all the restaurants in town were upping their corkage! Try Tois or any of their places—no corkage—even Buckhead Life $15-20. Too many great restaurants in Atlanta with freat food that won’t rip you off!

By atlgamecock

August 22, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I’m with you Lawrencevillemom…I’ve been eating at that little place behind the mall for over 20 years and have always been very well satisfied with the New York” italian food as well as the hospitality of the owner, Bonnie !!! Bambanelli’s you are TRULY the best !!! And so far as your comment, contrarian, you must be confused; I believe you’re speaking of Fazoli’s…

By rtptjd

August 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Bambinelli’s is terrific! Great food, reasonable prices and excellent service —I’ve never had a bad meal there. Nino’s is also good, pricier than Bambinelli’s but excellent food and service as well.

By Jeff

August 22, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Bundo’s on the edge of Stone Mountain Village.

By Buona Sera

August 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Best Italiano food?

Pick any place in Italia! Balastra in Roma. Positano. Florenzi. Any of the sidewalk cafes in Venice serving gnocchi that is so light and fluffy you could eat pounds of it. Not like the stuff served here in America where you are full after five bites.

Take the tour, you won’t be disappointed.

By Happy in Conyers

August 22, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Cafe Milanos on Hway 138 in Conyers. Food is great and it is not expensive. Guess what, there is life outside of Atlanta. :)

By lovelyliz

August 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Buona Sera

I couldn’t agree with you more. To many American restaurants think that putting red sauce on something or cooking with garlic makes it Italian.

I just haven’t found a chain restaurant that comes close for authentic Italian cooking whether it’s Sicilian, Northern Italy or the Campania region. Just thinking of Parma makes my mouth water.

By Anne

August 22, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Figos, Figos, Figos…..if you haven’t tried it….do so. Excellent homemade pasta and sauces…DAILY. Great, inexpensive food. We eat there all the time and I have NEVER had a bad meal.

By Buona Sera

August 22, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

lovelyliz

Grazie!

By yoshmut

August 22, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

pricci - if you people dont try pricci you wont understand - if you dont like the food there you have mental problems

By Vicki

August 22, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Hands down - La Grotta in Buckhead!

By markscottmusic.com

August 22, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Mmmmm… any Olive Garden! Yum!

By dani

August 22, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Olive Garden? Are you kidding me? Figo’s! Definitely Figo’s. Definitely worth the wait. Fresh, inexpensive, innovative. Love it.

By Jud Williams

August 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Casa Nuova on Hwy 9 north of Alpharetta at Frances Corners, is by far the most authentic Italian restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of dining in. Because the owner raises his own vegetables, customers are treated to the delights of home grown food. Which by the way tastes completely different in the most positive way from commercially raised produce. I highly recommend it not only for the food, but the ambience is superior and the service efficient and very friendly.

Jud Williams, Cumming

By Motorcyclist

August 22, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Mirabella’s. Clusane, Lago Iseo, Italy. After motorcycling around the mountains all day. just don’t order beer in Italy. They are like the Germans, stick with the vino. :)

I suppose you want something close. Dominic’s, Old Norcross.

By Motorcyclist

August 22, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Oops. This: They are like the Germans, stick with the vino. :)

Should read They are NOT like the Germans, stick with the vino. :)

By Bubba

August 22, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Pizza Hut is my familys favrite. Once a munth we leeve the traler and pigg out on the buffett. the kidz luv sinnamun stix with thare pizza.

By MrHughes

August 22, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

Where’s Brio on this list? Surely they are above Olive Garden, Maggiano’s and Figo…

By Carolyn

August 22, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Scalini’s on 41 near I-285 is my favorite - from the salad to the rolls to the sauce to the ricotta cheesecake. (Bubba sounds like someone who used to call Ludlow Porch. Funny!)

By ma600zda

August 23, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

c858t

By ma523zda

August 23, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

c770t

By ma278zda

August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

c469t

By ma523zda

August 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

c770t

By D

August 25, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

I know, it’s a chain (but a local one). Our family has always loved Provino’s. It’s basic Southern Italian and a few extras. I believe they make their own sausage, but not sure. Love their garlic rolls and the Shrimp Fra Diablo.

By Dave Llewellyn

August 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Pomodoro at 1402 N. Highland Ave, Suite 8, Atlanta, tel. 404-745-9334, (to the right of Alon’s Bakery) is an excellent, authentic trattoria run by a gentleman who worked for years at Pricci. It has the atmosphere of a small family restaurant in Rome. My wife and I have enjoyed many authentic meals there. Unfortunately the reviewer for the AJC was entirely unfamiliar with true Italian food when he ate there in June and gave it a tepid review. He apparently has never been to Italy and is entirely ignorant of the full range of la cucina Italiana. It is definitely not a “red sauce joint” and never pretends to be, although it has one of the best true marinara sauces in town, made with fresh basil. The calamari fritti are some of the best around - perfectly fried and served, albeit in-authentically, with delicious marinara and garlic mayonnaise dipping sauces. The foccacia is made in house, is served in squares just like in Italy, and is excellent. The pastas are unusual and are well executed. The pizza is Northern/Roman style with a thin, somewhat crispy crust. (The Margarita has tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil). The wines are reasonably priced. There is a small, but full, bar. Espresso and cappuccino are authentic. Desserts are homemade. The service is European, i.e. pleasant but generally silent. Your meal will not be interrupted by idiotic requests to know “how is it?” Our firm had its annual dinner there and everyone was very pleased with the food and service. In short, it’s a great dining experience at a very, very reasonable price. It deserves Atlanta’s patronage.

By Stephanie

August 28, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

KARA MIA off windward pkwy in alpharetta. the lasagna is to DIE for! Also, Provinos, although it is a chain, it is amazing~

By mapletree

September 10, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Pasta Vino in Alpharetta is our favorite. They’re family-owned and are always welcoming. You’re not just another customer there and you can tell in the food as well.