Editorial Rating: Highly Recommended (9.5 Overall)

      A head-turner of a place, with Italian food far beyond red sauce and meatballs.

The Scene
Sure it's in a mall, and yes, it's a chain. But the joint is gorgeous, so get over it. The huge space is divided into three cozy rooms, flush with dark wood and frosted glass partitions. Servers are helpful, but not annoying. The prices are reasonable and kids are welcome.

The Food
Generic Italian fare it's not, so forget about ordering spaghetti. You'll find fine, upscale Italian fare, deliciously prepared and beautifully served. A perfect antipasto is the lush Messina salad, a close cousin to a Greek salad. Be prepared to be seduced by the addictive, garlic-marinated pork chop. Every single bite amazes. Like seafood? Order the angel hair with treasures from the sea and ask for extra sauce. Desserts sound so appetizing, it's hard to choose, but the cheesecake and warm chocolate chip banana cake are wise picks.