SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. Hearty southern Italian cuisine comes to South Minneapolis in this cozy restaurant. Yellow-gold paint and whimsical decorative touches create an intimate, welcoming space. Octopus with saffron potato and citronette makes for an unexpected starter, while updated classics like spaghetti with tomato and veal meatballs and gorgonzola-crusted steak with wild mushroom ragu populate the entrees menu. Arrive early to sip half-price bottles of wine between 4:30pm and 6:00pm.

This Bloomington restaurant is the perfect destination for a casual, enjoyable meal. Serving a wide selection of popular Italian favorites, including pizzas, calzones and pasta, Bella Cucina complements its food with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. To ensure the quality and flavor of every dish, the restaurant makes its own sauces and salad dressings, and bakes its own bread every day. Create your own pizza, choosing from 32 different toppings, or opt for the in-house special. Whatever you choose, you'll appreciate the flavor and quality of your meal.

Known for its affordable food and large portions, Biaggi's is perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion. Committed to serving fresh Italian cuisine, Biaggi's traditional dishes are always expertly prepared and flavorful. Start your meal off with an appetizer like calamari fritti or fried ravioli, then choose from the wide selection of entrees, which includes pizzas and pasta specialties like chicken cannelloni, butternut squash ravioli and the quintessential spaghetti and meatballs. If pasta's not your thing, try the filet mignon, chicken marsala or salmon and shrimp Milanese. Head to Biaggi's for lunch or dinner, and you won't be disappointed.

SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS. This cozy Italian deli has a few seats in the dining room, but most folks grab panini or a slice of pizza to take back to the office. Other lunch choices include hot dishes like spinach lasagna, manicotti, and an ever-changing daily pasta special. Those eating light can try the arugula salad with asiago cheese and orange-balsamic vinaigrette, or a house salad with pistachios and champagne dressing. Later in the day, the cucina does a brisk dinner business; Broders' Pasta Bar across the street also serves evening eats.

SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS. Pasta, as an art form? It certainly is that way at Broders' Pasta Bar. The 22 varieties of pasta and risotto are made fresh, daily. Not only that, each dish is prepared with individually sautéed herbs and garlic. The atmosphere is casual and friendly - diners seated at the bar get a view of the chefs as they cook, and there are always daily specials to mix up the standard favorites.

LORING PARK. If you're in the mood for family-style Italian food, hit Loring Park's Buca di Beppo. Inside, colorful dining areas feature a wide range of eccentric statues and paintings. For dinner, try a homemade, Italian sausage and pepperoni-topped Supremo Italiano pizza, or if you're looking for something a little different, go for the chicken saltimbocca. Dessert lovers NEED the Dolce Platter (one each of tiramisu, double dark chocolate cake, cheesecake and apple crostata).

EDEN PRAIRIE. Just a few minutes southwest of Minneapolis, this snazzy Italian restaurant specializes in outstanding pastas, salads, pizzas, and poultry. Catch a glimpse of the chefs at work in the open kitchen as they prepare balsamic-glazed short ribs and spaghetti, braised lamb shank and spit-roasted chicken with risotto. To finish off, make sure you sample the Italian cookie platter or the chocolate truffle cake. The dining area features elaborate, hand-painted, faux-finished walls.

BLOOMINGTON. Sister restaurant of Zelo, Ciao Bella is a trendy, smartly decorated eatery that's quite popular at lunch and dinner with the business crowd. The moody restaurant features sensuous curves, exposed brick, wrought iron, and bold design elements, including a funky bar. Pizza is king at lunch, but at dinner you'll want to sample excellent pasta dishes ­ fusilli with grilled chicken is not to be missed. Fresh fish, steaks, and chicken also prove delicious. Reservations are suggested.

Davanni's provides local and legendary pizza! We offer three types of crusts, three sauces, countless ingredients, and countless combinations.

DOWNTOWN. You'll marvel at the Loring Pasta Bar Restaurant in Minneapolis as soon as you walk through the doors. With unique, beautiful artwork and décor throughout, this stunning restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as the mouth. Offering both traditional Italian dishes, as well as their own signature entrées, Loring offers a little bit of everything. Start off with an order of the pan-fried potstickers or the delicious artichoke ramekin. For a unique Louisiana Creole dish, try the Loring Shrimp Jambalaya or stick with an Italian specialty like spinach and cream cheese raviolis with braised lamb shank. Let your taste buds go crazy at Loring Pasta Bar.