Was thinking about Italian food and cannot think of a single place in North Alabama that I would say, "Yep, THAT place is where I'd go."

This is not for pizza and damned sure isn't the dogchit served at Olive Garden or chains. I'm talking about veal parm, lasagna, cavatelli, ravioli and Italian food.

DePalma's if I'm in Tuscaloosa, of course.

What about B'ham, anywhere in North Alabama, Montgomery or elsewhere?

http://www.joesitalianonline.com/ best spaghetti I ever had. It is in Alabaster. Costa's in Trussville and Hoover has awsome bread and good food. Franchesca's in Decatur is better than OG but not great.

I believe Gianmarcos is regularly ranked #1 Italian in state

Saza, Midtown, Corsinos are all different and fine in Montgomery when in the mood for any of them

I like Gianmarcos, Guiseppe's Cafe, and Mirkos.

Where are these?

Another vote for gianmarcos. In Homewood. Get reservations and bring your high limit credit card.

I had a veal loin there years ago I still think about on occasion.

I like brovos..bridgestreet mall huntsville..

We have a pretty good one in Clanton called, Bertelone's. It is owned by the same folks who started, Joe's Italian. They are going to open another location in Calera.

Homewood, Birmingham, and Mobile.

I agree they have some great food, I really don't like Joe's that much but Bertelone's is on point, the desserts they make are even better than the Italian dishes, the death by chocolate is freaking out of this world, the slices are big enough for three people to share...

Salvators Pizza in Hoover is great, they have way more than just pizza and it is all good..

There's a little place in Covington County called Ophelia's and she has good, authentic Italian food.

Another vote for Gian Marco's. Hands down best Italian food in the state. Everything is house made from the mozzarella to the pasta. Get the fiocchi stuffed with pears and gorgonzola as an appetizer. They also have a pretty nice steak.

My wife brought some spaghetti home from Joe' s once; right up there with Chef Boyardee, but not quiet as good.
Heard they had a change of management, maybe?

Joe's Italian sucks. I've heard so many people say it was great. They must have been eating Olive Garden if they think that stuff is good.

Gianmarco's is very good. We really like Bongiornos in Mountain Brook. Small, family owned and operated. Great food.

Bellini's is suppose to be good, never eaten there myself.

We really miss Lovoy's.

Bongiorno's used to be one of my favorites till I got in an argument with the owner on night. I had a discount coupon and did not know to show it before seated and he refused to honor it. I asked what difference did it make when I showed it and the azzhole starts yelling at me in front of other customers. Lost me and a few others as customers; I am sure. I called the company that issued the coupon and they said it was not their first complaint about him and sent me another $50 coupon for another restaurant.

Ricatonis in Florence AL is the best one I've eaten at withing a couple hours of the house!

http://ricatonis.com/

Had no idea Lovoy's closed. Used to be really good.

Very good, can’t believe I forgot it.

When they moved to Downtown Homewood, their overhead got to high and Zach decided to close it. If he had never moved, they would probably still be open. I think they lost some customers when they moved too. Regulars that didn’t like the new location.

The wife and I are meeting some friends there tonight for dinner. Hope they have either carnivore lasagna or seafood shells on the specials.

I didnt eat lunch so Ill be able to eat the meatball and onion bread sticks. salad, and the entree.

mmmmmmmmm

I might have to get some itialian for dinner.

I would add Betola and Amore. These two are located in Pepper Place and in North Shelby on 280 respectively.

Yes very good

My dad was talking about Bettola the other day. I have never been.

Get their pizza with a cracked egg in the middle for dipping the crust.

They do all their own cured meats in house. Have some good rabbit too.

Agreed. Spaghetti in a jar is much better. Another vote for Gianmarcos and ill add Bottega to the list.

Gianmarcos

If you want "red" Italian, Costas Mediterranean in Trussville has the best Lasagna and homemade ranch dressing I've ever had. They also have an Eggplant Mousaka(sp?) that's really good.

I haven't been yet but Bertelone's is the talk of central Alabama. Since Clanton is on 65 most people in Alabama pass through there at some point so that should be an easy one to check out.

Great veal in the old house!

Venditori's in Auburn is good as well

x2

Joes Italian was sold a to a corporate something or other a few years back. Has not been the same since. Joe has passed on but the family has oopened Bertolones in Calera. I have heard its good but not eaten there.

Gianmarcos, always good.

Wish Lavoys was still open.

Bertelones in Clanton is very good, we eat there a good bit..

We are going to Gianmarcos Saturday night.

How was it? What did you order?

I let you know tomorrow.

The Boss took us to eat lunch Friday at Francesco's Italian Restaurant on 31 south in Decatur. I had the Lasagna and it was great. Now, I know tis isn't a 5* place but I'll be going back.

We went to Gianmarco’s last night for my wife’s birthday. We had mussels, fried zucchini flowers and prosciutto wrapped shrimp and asparagus as appetizers. I had sausage and peppers over spaghetti, April had a ribeye with 4 cheese ziti and brussel sprouts. One other person had the ribeye as well. Also ordered were lamb chops with red wine risotto, spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, grouper and flounder. We all shared taste of everything. We also had every dessert on the menu. The wine bill was all most as much as the food for 8 people. The only dish that wasn’t fantastic was the grouper.

Man, doekiller, I am already starving after reading that and it's only 8am! Sounds like y'all did it right!