What's the best Italian restaurant in town? (Tucson, Miami: credit, prices)

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

...I guess I'm spoiled by our little mom & pop place up here in Prescott, LaBruzza's. Gabe LaBruzza is a nice older Italian gentleman who's the host on most nights. Then stops by your table later to personally thank you for coming in. It's a BYOB place, with lots of regulars meeting friends and family and lingering over a nice plate of Linguine w/Clams. Food is fine (and I haven't found better chicken marsala) but it's really the atmosphere that's pure Italian - feel like you just stepped into Grandmama's dining room....

Sounds like a great place and lots of fun.

When I lived over there, I used to go to this little trattoria by the sea. Just a little hole in the wall, and the mother and father were always there, and the grandma too usually, and their approximately 5 or 6 year old little daughter was usually there. They didn't have a regular menu, just whatever the lady happened to be making that day. Well, they did have a couple of things you could always get, but that was it, like spaghetti, or bolognese.

Always had homemade wine too. If I was unfamiliar with what she was making, she'd take me back in the kitchen for a taste before I ordered. Can you imagine something like that happening here? Me neither.

And all that for maybe five bucks or so. La Dolce Vita indeed.

Hopefully I'll find a good Italian place here. If not, there's always Pico de Gallo to go to, or Guero Canelo for a Sonoran Hot Dog.

Just remembered, there used to be a really good Italian place in Sonoita of all places 12 years ago when I lived here before. Wonder if it's still there.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Ah, well, what's the point? I go in for my gastric bypass next week. Might as well eat up now.

The Morbid Hiker

I knew there must be a good reason for hiking other than being a masochist!

[azhiker]

Lol

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Keep us updated, AZHiker . . . since you've lived in Italy, I'm definitely interested in your opinion of Mama Louisa's.



That does it, Sierra . . . time for a GO TO YOUR ROOM.

I'm interested, too. I probably just happened by on a bad night and ordered the wrong thing. It happens even in the best places. I always hate recommending Italian or Mexican places, because everybody's idea of "good" is different, depending on what they're used to.

And . . . since I'm scared of surgery, I guess I'll just have to get used to Jenny Craig's Fettucine Alfredo without Al or Fred and no-flavor Fettucine.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by azhiker

So many places seem to murder the sauce with too much garlic. The tomato is supposed to be the main attraction.

I'm probably a big pain in the rear end about what I think is good sauce having lived in Italy. The sauce is much more subtle over there. Here you get hit in the head with a hammer full of garlic.

Very true AZ, I was surprised at how "mild" the sauces were in Italy. Though I do like my garlic in lots of food besides Italian. But as you said in Italy they focus on the tomato flavor, took some getting used to. But after a couple glasses of Grappa, it'a all good

Hiker, you ever make it to Orvieto? I have fond memories of that place.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Oh, wait, this is the Tucson thread. Whatever am I doing? Please forgive me.

Signed: Your wandering (and sometimes lost) traveler from up north.

Hi, Gretchen! You're ALWAYS welcome "down here" in Tucson! You are another good, true-blue Arizonan! We appreciate "Prescottonians"!

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by RickTucsonHomes

...

Hiker, you ever make it to Orvieto? I have fond memories of that place.

Never did. I lived in a suburb of Napoli, so was all over down there... Amalfi coast, Capri, hill towns, etc. Best place I ever lived.

Grappa is some seriously good stuff, though kind of like whiskey or scotch in that it varies from rotgut to exquisite.

Actually, I don't like any whiskey or scotch, but I'm thinking that analogy rings true anyway.

[Bullmoose]

Mama Luisa's has gotten pretty pricey. Just went there a couple of weeks ago. I never have cared for their red sauce. Seems too acidic and too sweet all at once. I had tortellini alfredo. It was okay. A little pasty tasting. The breadsticks were hot, buttery heaven though! And their Italian wedding soup is the second best I've ever had.

[Bullmoose]

I would skip Mama Luisa's. I forgot about Zona 78. That's the one you should try next! And I know it's a chain, but I love Oreganos. Their sauces are good, so are the pastas, pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. The meatball sub is great. So is the chicken Caesar salad, and the chicken and spinach pasta dish(lasagna maybe?). The portions are huge, also. We usually share a variety of dishes, and we always get a full order of garlic cheese bread with marinara. Yummy!

[Bullmoose]

Giacomo's is another good one!