With all the snow and ice out there right now, doesn’t it sound nice to be sitting out on a terrace on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, sipping wine and dining on fresh seafood?
If you can’t afford a European getaway, the next best thing may be Osteria Novella, the new Italian restaurant on University Avenue. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks with chef Giovanni Novella, co-owner and former executive chef at Bar Corallini, about bringing the tastes of the region where he grew up to Madison.
Here are some other great restaurants to check out in Madison if you’re craving a taste of Italy.
Bar Corallini (2004 Atwood Ave.)
Novella is still part owner of this cozy east side spot, which features handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and stuffed dates and braised octopus as appetizers. Make sure to get some of the made-in-house limoncello.
Lombardino’s (2500 University Ave.)
A Madison institution, Lombardino’s has been on University Avenue since 1952, and retains all the kitschy charm of its era. But the menu has been updated and expanded in recent years to reflect evolving tastes in Italian cuisine.
Fabiola’s Spaghetti House & Deli (1301 Regent St.)
The Greenbush neighborhood has deep Italian-American roots, and Leopold’s owner Sam Brown celebrates that tradition with Fabiola’s. The red-sauce spaghetti on the menu is augmented by eggplant parm and pork chop saltimbocca, and be sure to save room for tiramisu!
Cento (122 W. Mifflin St.)
This Food Fight restaurant is a great place to get some tagliatelle or a margherita pizza before a show across the street at the Overture Center. But I always sing the praises of its “Boozy Brunch,” which includes an entree, two cocktails, and cannoli for $35.
Osteria Papavero (128 E. Wilson St.)
Chef Francesco Mangano always changes up his menu in response to the seasonal local ingredients he employs, so be sure to keep an eye on the specials. But the one constant is the budino di caramello (butterscotch pudding), still the best dessert in Madison.
Porta Bella (425 N. Frances St.)
You might want to hurry if you want to dine at one of Madison’s oldest Italian restaurants, as its days seem to be numbered in the face of downtown development. Get an Old World fave like lasagna or chicken parmesan, or head down to The Cellar for a cocktail and feel like you’ve descended into another time and place.
Zafferano Ristorante (2969 Cahill Main in Fitchburg)
Italian-Indian fusion? It’s not as crazy as it sounds in the hands of Zafferano (“saffron,” a popular Indian spice). The menu includes both Italian and Indian dishes, but the fun part is fusion dishes like paneer ravioli piccata and saffron mac and cheese.
Fratelli’s Trattoria (5801 Monona Drive in Monona)
This elegant spot in a historic house on Monona Drive seems like it’s been a Monona institution for decades, but in fact opened just a couple of years ago by two brothers (hence the name Fratelli’s). Enjoy pizzas made with handmade dough or made-from-scratch pasta, and come on your birthday for a free profiterol.
Nonno’s (704 S. Whitney Way)
I’m a fan of this west side spot to get a panini sandwich or a margherita pizza for lunch, but they have a full dinner menu that includes an extensive collection of seafood dishes. It’s a great place to bring kids as well.
Oliva (751 N. High Point Rd.)
This Mediterranean-Italian restaurant on the far west side recently changed owners after 17 years. The menu includes both pizza and pasta dishes made with homemade tomato sauce and Mediterranean fare like falafel and shish kebab.
D’Vino (116 King St.)
This elegant spot features a “Cicchetti”-style menu, with small plate Venetian dishes like arancini and clams augustino, and servers will recommend wine pairings for each dish. If you don’t have time to linger, head around the corner for Dinotto, D’Vino’s Italian-style sandwich counter.
Naples 15 (15 N. Butler St.)
None other than the late crooner Tony Bennett sang the praises of Naples 15’s cuisine, and the spot off East Washington Avenue has drawn lots of fans for both its Neapolitan dishes and the homey, friendly atmosphere created by chef Salvatore Di Scala.
