Italian/Pizza

Serving pizza pies, calzones, pasta, bagels and breakfast, this joint is a favorite of students at the art high school and University of Washington Tacoma. 1946 Pacific Ave., 253.779.0769.

BASILICO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Finely crafted Northern Italian with several twists and turns such as wild boar and duck ravioli. Basilico knows Italian food. The tiramisu is one of the best. 507 Capitol Way S., Olympia, 360.570.8777.

DECATERINA’S MARKET GRILL AND BAR

Italian bistro with excellent seafood selection. Warm, Tuscan colors with crisp linens, brick and lots of natural light. The seared scallops wrapped in bacon over crab ravioli is outstanding. The scallops arrived fresh and tender, and the large ravioli came stuffed with sweet crabmeat. Full bar with generous pours, and a worthy wine list. 328 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1553

REVIEWED SEPT. 25, 2008

FARRELLI’S GOURMET WOOD FIRE PIZZA

Farelli’s has fire-cooked pizza with toasty mojo happening, and the ambience there includes a fireplace in the bar as well. 3518 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.1999. Also locations in DuPont, Lacey, Sumner and Parkland.

GARDNER’S SEAFOOD AND PASTA

Expect ultra friendly service in a long dining room that doesn’t scream Italian like its menu but rather Northwest bistro with exposed beams, low lighting and more greenery than a florist shop. Heavy on seafood, the selections span the gamut from traditional delicious Italian fare to some fanciful opportunities. Portions are massive. Expensive. 111 Thurston Ave. N.W., Olympia, 360.786.8466.

IL FIASCO

Bright, beautiful northern Italian cuisine meets gorgeous dining space. More than half of the menu lists pasta dishes. That’s the tip-off. Great wine list. Reservations are a must. Now open for lunch. 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6688.

Il LUCANO ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Opening the door of Il Lucano must be similar to walking into an old-school Italian mama’s kitchen. They serve authentic Italian pasta, pizza, antipasti, salad, and panini sandwiches in a relaxed, casual, family-friendly environment. The staff is attentive without over doing it, food arrived quickly, presentation is pleasing, taste is wonderful, ambience iss soothing, and prices are reasonable for the portion size. 3119 Judson Street, Gig Harbor, 253.514.8945, www.illucanoristorante.com.

LINK: Full review March 26, 2009

IL TRATTORIA DI MERENDE

Jeff Bishop and Ian and Julia Martin-Lombardi’s brand new place offers Italian rustic cuisine, not Italian-American food. You won’t be able to order overloaded platters of red sauced spaghetti and meatballs. The menu is, of course, Italian — flat breads, pasta and carne with special emphasis on small plates to be shared. They offer locally produced organic ingredients as much as possible inside a sleek decor with straw and terracotta colors, brick down the north side, blue backlit bar and modern lighting. The wine list isn’t encyclopedic — what a relief! — but it contains such true gems from the 15 whites, 19 reds and 11 limited wines. 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1993.

LINK: Full review

LINK: Interview with Jeff Bishop

LINK: First Bite Dec. 18, 2008

JOESEPPI’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE

Owner Joe Stortini bills the place as an Italian style New York deli, but frankly, he seems more gracious than New Yorkers are typically known for being. Standard Italian dishes — large portions catering to the average diner. Full bar. 2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.761.5555.

LINK: Tossing salad on Spew

MARIO'S MERCATO ITALIANO

This Italian joint offers large portioned menu items at moderately low prices. Fresh ingredient filled sandwiches are satisfying. For wines — four to five reds and whites by the glass are offered via stand-up table tent menus: sangiovese, zenato valpolicella, and argiolas perdera run $4.49 to $5.99. Mammoth dessert selection pulls us in like a space ship tractor beam. Traditional and specialty cakes and pies, cookies to cherry crostada, cheese cake, adorable mini pineapple upside-down cakes and more than eight different types of gelato, most everything is imported from Italy. 2049 Mildred St. W., Tacoma, 253.566.6108.

MERCATO

Located across from the Olympia Farmers Market, Mercato melds sophistication with casual, often with a lively crowd. The chunk of pasta and rich meat sauce lasagna swims in a bowl of sweet tomatoes. Everything about it is divine. The fare is Italian with Northwest touches. 111 Market St., Olympia, 360.528.3663.

OLD SCHOOL PIZZERIA

Old School Pizzeria is where you’d take Grandma — if she were a punk rocker. Old School is Olympia in a nutshell: loud music, eclectic décor, bitchy staff — but in a good way. The pizza is New York thin and delivers the crust just right so you can fold the thing in half and slide it into your mouth. 108 Franklin St., Olympia, 360.786.9640.

PIZZA CASA

Pizza Casa is a Lakewood icon that transcends all peoples. The menu is full of favorites such as ravioli, chicken, and manicotti. Still, most people order the pizza, and for good reason. 12924 Pacific Highway S.W., Lakewood, 253.588.8135.

PIZZERIA FONDI

Authentic 12-inch Neapolitan pizza, plus Mediterranean starters, salads and a tiramisu and sorbetti served in a lofty, lively space filled with families and shoppers with fast, friendly service — almost autonomous. 4621 Point Fosdick Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.851.6666; 10404 156th St. E., South Hill Puyallup, 253.435.0022.

LINK:Full review

PUGET SOUND PIZZA

This joint is like everyone's memory of their favorite college pizza hangout. Puget Sound Pizza has that college, no-frills feel with plenty of art event posters on the walls, large tables, big windows, not to mention cool retro barstools and those ’70s red, orange and yellow chain lamps we sat under while watching the “Partridge Family” on prime time. It’s the place to find a quick and large breakfast at a reasonable price 7-10:30 a.m. seven days a week, plus pizza that rocks your world (amazing red sauce). 317 South Seventh, Tacoma, 253.383.4777.

RAVENOUS

Few restaurants have survived in downtown Tacoma, but one that seems to hold its own is Ravenous — an intimate Italian restaurant with terrific views of the theater district. The tiramisu and chocolate cake are delicious. 785 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.3282.

LINK: Tossing Salad — Antipasti Chop Salad

THE ROCK OVEN-BAKED PIZZA & BREWERY

What? Huh? Sorry. We couldn't hear you over The Doors' "L.A. Woman." Wait. Shhh. A large variety of funky pies (“Bat Outta Hell,” “Yellow Brick Road,” “Bad To The Bone”) star at this music-themed pizzeria and pasta joint. Because the pizzas are Live at Buddakan, the place packs them in, even Sunday nights. The pizza lunch buffet is a bargain. Full bar, too. 1920 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1221; 5400 Martin Way E., Lacey, 360.412.0300; 34817 Enchanted Pkwy. S., Federal Way, 253.835.7625; 4801 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.286.2402.

LINK: Tossing Salad on Spew

LINK: Slow Burn on Spew

SORRENTO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Besides delivering showstopping food, owner Franco Cannava also visits tableside for his own version of a dramatic reading — mainly the menu in one act. The veal is sensational, and so is the tiramisu. 430 Legion Way, Olympia, 360.352.9915.

TRINACRIA RISTORANTE ITALIANO

A little like something from a “Godfather” movie — small, intimate, definitely Sicilian. The flavors are robust, whole and intense. Nothing is left to the imagination — it’s a full frontal assault on the taste buds, but in a good way. 113 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.8892

UPPER CRUST

Three pizza sizes, four hand-tossed crust flavors and three sauce choices support a variety of topping options, including wild mushroom medley, roasted walnut, eggplant, goat cheese, chicken breast, chorizo sausage, and many others. Upper Crust also serves four specialty pizza options that arrive as works of art. 2714 N. 21st St., Tacoma, 253.752.0900.

VIAFORE’S ITALIAN DELICATESSEN

Known for their delectable Italian meats, grubbin’ take-home dishes, traditional imported pastas, and satisfying lunchtime sandwich plates. They have delicious, traditional, fresh deli meat that they are not shy about sharing with you, and a mozzarella cheese that will rival all others. Um, hello! We’re at an authentic family owned Italian Delicatessen! How could they not have this incredibly soft and yummy mozzarella? 604 Regents Blvd., Fircrest, 253.564.2228

LINK: Tossing Salad on Spew

VICS PIZZERIA

Aggressively hip joint favored by college students and those who like loud music — and that's a good thing. Vics serves delicious hand-tossed, New York style, thin crust and slightly greasy pizza — whole or by the slice. Toppings include pine nuts, tofu, capers, cashews among traditional items. White and whole wheat crust options (chose whole wheat). Vics is also vegan friendly with yellow and white sauces made with yeast, tahini, soly milk, soy butter and a vegan calzone option. 233 Division St. N.W., Olympia, 360.943.8044.

VOLARE CAFE ITALIANO

Volare Café Italiano in the Olympia Airport Terminal redefines the experience of grabbing a bite before your flight. The spaghetti ragout was a delight — a large plate of thick noodles in a ragout sauce with chunks of beef, basil and Parmesan. 7022 Airport Terminal S.W., Tumwater, 360.357.6997.

Roman, Tuscan, Ligurian, Neapolitan and Sicilian in the South Sound, South Sound Restaurant Guide

DuPont

Federal Way

Fircrest

Gig Harbor

Lacey

Lakewood

Olympia

Puyallup

Summer

Tacoma

Tumwater

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