California wine country produces a lot more than just grapes. Because of the mild climate, there are excellent local fruits and vegetables all year long. The nearness of the Pacific guarantees impeccably fresh seafood. And artisanal food purveyors are producing wonderful cheeses, salumi, and condiments.

Although wine country is best known for its French restaurants, there are also some great Italian restaurants in the valleys. Read more…

Unlike many American cities, Los Angeles never had a large Italian immigrant population. In fact, there’s no predominantly Italian neighborhood like San Francisco’s North Beach or the North End of Boston.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t terrific Italian restaurants in South California. They’re just not all concentrated in one area. Which means that no matter where you are, there’s probably one that’s not too far away. Read more…

Buenos Aires was heavily influenced by the waves of immigrants who came from Italy in the 1860s and 1870s. The Portuguese that’s spoken here blends Spanish and Italian. In fact, you’ll hear “ciao” more often than “adios.” And Italian food is served all over the city.

Some of the best Italian restaurants in South America are here. And there are also plenty of great pizza restaurants.
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San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for dining. Restaurants here have a bounty of fresh seafood and local produce they use to create innovative menus that change with the seasons. And you’ll find local delicacies like Dungeness crab woven seamlessly into their preparations.

The North Beach neighborhood was once the home of most of the city’s Italian restaurants. But these days, you’ll find them in every part of town, from the Mission District to Nob Hill. Read more…

Some of the best Italian restaurants in the world are in Rome. The cuisine of Rome is rich and rustic, with hearty meat dishes and terrific pastas. Two of the best known are Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana with tomatoes, pancetta, and onions.

Other Roman specialties you should try include stuffed fried zucchini blossoms, Saltimbocca, which is veal stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and sage, and porchetta, or roast suckling pig. You’ll also find traditional Italian foods like gnocchi and pizza on most menus. Read more…