Technically named "Osteria del Figo" but simply called “Figo”, the Howell Mill edition of this popular metro-area upscale Italian chain plays well with both the business and leisure crowd. Casual and cool, Figo is modern with lots of Italian flair beginning with the walls bathed in amber and the wooden bar and tables. It’s more spacious than it appears, accommodating large and small parties alike. Orders are made at the front of the house with guests then receiving colorfully festive pepper shakers to place at their table for food delivery. Simplicity is king here, with the build-your-own-pasta serving as the main draw. Make a ravioli, short or long pasta selection and then pair it with a sauce. For traditional fare with a pleasant kick, try the Tuscan Sausage and Apple Ravioli with the Arrabbiata sauce (spicy tomato sauce with garlic and chili peppers). The Spinach Penne with the Salmone con Piselli (oak-smoked salmon and English peas in pink vodka sauce) is also good but, with over a dozen ravioli and pasta choices and nearly that many sauces, the combinations are truly endless. The Caprese Salad, prepared with buffalo mozzarella and vine-ripe tomatoes, is a nice jump-starter. Tiramisu is a given but Kenny’s Key Lime pie, from the locally-based super pie company, is a welcomed American indulgence.

The Grotta Ristorante Italiano in Atlanta is an Italian eatery not to be missed. La Grotta Ristorante Italiano, an Atlanta tradition since 1978, offers fine dining in an intimate ambience overlooking a beautiful garden located in the heart of Buckhead. La Grotta has been voted the Best Italian Restaurant by Atlanta Magazine for 18 years in a row. The Grotta Ristorante Italiano is also open at the Ravinia complex in Dunwoody. The primary focus is Northern Italian and regional cuisine with some global influences. The dishes are inspired by the very old traditional family recipes yet are innovative enough to meet today's sophisticated expectations. Menus are continually updated, providing Atlanta with the most interesting Italian cuisine. Among the selections you will find high quality vegetarian, cholesterol-free and grilled specialties along with unique pasta dishes and a wide variety of meat and fish dishes. La Grotta Ristorante - Buckhead ٠ 2637 Peachtree Road NE ٠ Atlanta, GA La Grotta Ravinia - Dunwoody ٠ 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE ٠ Atlanta, GA Visit lagrottaatlanta.com for more information.

With its Peachtree address, intimately rustic decor and flower-lined sidewalk patio, Baraonda Caffé Italiano could easily coast on atmosphere. But the wood-burning brick oven is a sure sign that this lively pizza-and-pasta parlor does no such thing. The thin-crust pies are the real deal, most topped with simple, classic combinations like prosciutto, mozzarella and arugula—no barbecue sauce or ranch dressing here. In fact, the whole menu hews to Italian tradition, be it Sicilian-style rigatoni alla Norma with fried eggplant and ricotta salata; beef carpaccio with parmesan, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil; or uove in purgatorio (eggs baked in tomato sauce) for brunch. Meanwhile, oenophiles are sure to appreciate a wine list scattered with lesser-known varietals like Insolia, Brachetto, and Rosso di Montalcino—not least because the prices rarely break $40.