Twin Cities' Best Italian Food 2008

This tight-knit neighborhood Italian restaurant serves 21 freshly made pastas and risottos.

Reviews:

• “FABULOUS FOOD but lacking in service”
• “A Proven Winner”
• “Fabulous and Unique”
• “Great Pasta Bar!”
• “The End”

Tips: You can’t make reservations for parties smaller than six, and it’s often crowded. Instead, call about an hour in advance and get your name on the list.

Broders Southside Pasta Bar

Pricey fare and charming Italian decor find a fit in this trendy neighborhood.

Reviews:

• “Great Authentic Italian”
• “Always a Great Time!!!”
• “Best Pizza & Fresh Pasta !!”
• “Wow”
• “Finally…true Italian!!!!”

Tips: An extensive wine list features fine vineyards from around the world, but the house wine is satisfying, tasty and a fraction of the price.

Arezzo Ristorante or email Arezzo Ristorante

A glamorous, gothic downtown Minneapolis eatery mixes glitz with some of the Twin Cities’ best contemporary Italian food.

Reviews:

• “Very snooty!”
• “Best soup EVER!”
• “You can find better Italian and better service elsewhere.”
• “Superb”
• “Zelo is NOT “Minnesota Nice”"

Tips: In summer months, the sidewalk tables are hugely popular—get there before 7pm to avoid a wait.

Zelo

Lake Minnetonka’s trattoria lights up suburban dining with Italian elegance.

Reviews:

• “DELIGHTFUL DINING EXPERIENCE!”
• “Amazing food, great for all special occasions”
• “One of the best!!!!”
• “HORRIBLE OWNERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE”
• “Can’t order what you want!”

Tips: Steal a front window seat or try a table along the wall, as the center of the room can be quite noisy.

Biella or email Biella

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Check out the bar”
• “Delicious!”
• “Service?”
• “Lots of food for cheap”
• “It was amazing”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

This chic Italian restaurant is always packed like an olive jar, with more hopefuls thronging the bar.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Gnocchi with Bolognese "
• “Great pasta and desserts!”
• “Great Birthday Dinner”
• “Never Valet Unless You Want Something Stolen”
• “Great Potential”

Tips: It’s a good idea to make a reservation. Events at the Ordway or Xcel have a way of suddenly filling the tables.

Pazzaluna Urban Trattoria & Bar

Ambitious fare a step ahead of the usual Italian dishes, delivered by servers who tell you the biz.

Reviews:

• “Not so great customer service”
• “LOVE! ATTENTIVE SERVICE AND EXCELLENT FOOD!”
• “Jazz + Italian = A great Friday night”
• “Hidden Jem”
• “Valentine’s Day Delight”

Tips: Jazz musicians serenade diners on Friday and Saturday nights.

Trattoria da Vinci or email Trattoria da Vinci

A bustling Italian eatery that’s been serving home-style delicacies since 1911.

Reviews:

• “Cossetta’s is the place to go in St. Paul for Italian foods.”
• “A St. Paul institution. Real, traditional, no-joking-around Italian-American food.”
• “CHE TROIARIA”
• “A truly hilarious degree of incompetence "
• “Pure and simple a great place to go. "

Tips: Parking is a breeze, since Cossetta’s has its own lot.

Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria

Lively atmosphere and well-executed Italian fare make for a memorable night in the ’burbs.

Reviews:

• “Crowded, for a reason.”
• “Great Romantic Spot with Friendly Environment”
• “Best Italian north of 694”
• “Don’t waste your money!!!”
• “Flashes of brilliance”

Tips: A glass of wine is a steal at $4.50-$6.50 a glass, but with so many good bottles of wine for under $20, splurge and buy the bottle.

Buona Sera Italian Ristorante or email Buona Sera Italian Ristorante

This bistro captures the appetite for fresh, simple Italian dishes and the yen for neighborhood dining and good value.

Reviews:

• “Relax and Enjoy”
• “A neighborhood restaurant with a “destination place” feel"
• “Great appetizers- Wonderful wait staff.”
• “average at best”
• “Great food and outstanding customer service”

Tips: The handful of wines listed on the main menu are good enough, especially at around $5 a glass. The Proprietor’s Wine List has about 10 pricier vintages.

Prima Italian Restaurant

Southern Italian cuisine and spirits brought to the table at the former home of Marimar.

Reviews:

• “good until the entrees arrived…”
• “Great food, very fresh pasta, wonderful flavors”
• “Best Restaurant in S. Minnie”
• “Get a reservation”
• “Perfect Anniversary Dinner!!”

Tips: There’s a lot behind the building.

al Vento or email al Vento

Italian-inspired fare at this casually elegant Long Lake establishment.

Reviews:

• “Attentive Service, Great Food”
• “Wanted to like it. Didn’t so much.”
• “What a waste of time and money Avoid this at all costs”
• “well worth the drive”
• “Small but spectacular!”

Tips: Call the event coordinator to inquire about off-site catering and private event options at (952) 473-7380.

Ravello

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Cozy…….”
• “Highway Robbery!”
• “Best Food and service St Paul!”
• “Average food and portions for an above average price.”
• “LOVE THIS PLACE!”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Poor food quality and worst service”
• “Better than I expected”
• “Not worth the trip”
• “If you want to wait, try this location”
• “what did they decorate from”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Serving up noodles and more, this transformed Dinkytown drugstore has the coolest decor in the Twin Cities.

Reviews:

• “Average food, student discounts”
• “inconsistent service”
• “Best Dancing In MN”
• “best student prices, discount, atmosphere!”
• “Worst Customer Treatment I have ever experienced!”

Tips: An all-you-can-eat brunch buffet starts at 11am every Sunday and costs $15.95. Students get in for 30 percent off with a valid student ID.

Loring Pasta Bar

Italian style radiates throughout this sophisticated suburban eatery.

Reviews:

• “Very good food and service”
• “Disappointing”
• “Good Food, but pricy”
• “Great Place never Disappointed "
• “ridiculously slow”

Tips: Don’t miss wine to go with your pasta: The wine list spans over 300 different selections.

Osteria I Nonni