BEST Italian restaurant in town?

[LanDroid]

OK, I know there are a few who will say there are only three Italian restaurants worth going to - one in Chicago, one in New York where you used to be able to witness actual mafia hits, and one in a small unknown town in Northern Italy. I don't wanna hear 'bout that, my wife's birthday is this Friday and figgered I'd take her to the BEST in this area. She is half Italian, so authentic would be better than Americanized, if possible. Also, if they don't take reservations, I'd prefer not to have to endure a one hour wait.

Thanks for any recommendations!

[gae]

This isn't first hand information, but I'll pass it along anyway.

My daughter Erin has wop dago friends (sorry Raven) from Italy and they swear that Boca in Hyde Park has the best Italian food they've eaten anywhere in the states.

Our resident food and culture critic weighed in on it here.

[cincygreg]

OK, Lan. There are a couple ways to go here.
First of al, if you are looking to do something truly italian that day just take her to Italian fest down on the Newport Levee.

If you are thinking fine dining, I'd have to say Primavista be worth considering.

Doesnt sound like your interested in any "chain" restaurants.

[reason]

I have also heard wonderful things from a number of sources about Boca in Oakley.

BUT...I also heard reservations are hard to come by on short notice, AND be ready to drop some serious money on your meal.

To a much lesser extent, I've heard good things about Germano's and Nicola's.

Anyone been to Scotti's on Vine Street, downtown? No other restaurant in Cincinnati has an atmosphere as unique as Scotti's (I love those broken-tile walls and the chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling), but they've never been known for outstanding food. Only been there once, and wasn't impressed with my food, but they do have an enormous menu, so maybe other entrees are better than what I had.

[Lew]

Maybe this is out of line for me, but I would suggest you have my man Trav fix his braciole (sp?). You won't find it made any better at any local restaurant (but then again, you won't find it on the menu at any of them anyway). I've been fortunate enough to savor it, and that one time Gae even wore her little Italian maid outfit, it really was like taking a trip to Firenza....

[gae]

Originally posted by Lew:
Maybe this is out of line for me, but I would suggest you have my man Trav fix his braciole (sp?). You won't find it made any better at any local restaurant (but then again, you won't find it on the menu at any of them anyway). I've been fortunate enough to savor it, and that one time Gae even wore her little Italian maid outfit, it really was like taking a trip to Firenza....

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lew Baby, your man Trav is over the pond hoisting pints for the World Cup. However.

I CAN cook.

For some undet-the-table green, I'd even tell Lan how to make the food. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Or, Boca. Lan, I can probably find the wop dago's if you want a REAL Italian experience. (Says she whose edumacated dauther ran around the the place yelling "Suck my **** in Italian.)Oy vey.

[cincygreg]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL.....sorry Greg. Made my screen too wide!


Oops, Sorry about that. Just thinking about the World Cup [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 10, 2006 05:44 PM: Message edited by: Law Dawg ]</font>

[Sean Pa]

Originally posted by cincygreg:
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALL!


Oops, Sorry about that. Just thinking about the World Cup [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shouldnt that be "nooooooooooooooo" were out after the 1st round [img]graemlins/sure.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 10, 2006 05:45 PM: Message edited by: Law Dawg ]</font>

[cincygreg]

Going to any matches on the pitch in Germany Sean?

[Sean Pa]

Originally posted by cincygreg:
Going to any matches on the pitch in Germany Sean?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">4500 tickets for England games have been made available. approx 50-75,000 England fans heading to Germany and that is a very conservative estimate. No chance of a tickets unless you pay the touts over ?1000 per tickets.
Lots of parties planned around the games. Heres looking forward to Us in the final [img]wink.gif[/img]