Arella’s Chic pizza in Bountiful. Arella’s pies appeal to pizza purists, traditionalists and adventurers, with wood-fired crusts and toppings that range from pear to jalapeño. 535 W. 400 North, Bountiful, 801-294-8800. $
Café Trio Pizzas from the wood-fired brick oven are wonderful. One of the city’s premier and perennial lunch spots; in Cottonwood, the brunch is especially popular. Be sure to check out the new big flavor small plates menu. 680 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-533-TRIO; 6405 S. 3000 East, Cottonwood, 801-944-8476. $$
Caffé Molise The menu is limited, but excellent. Our penne al caprino tasted as if it had been tossed on the way to our table. The spacious patio is a warm weather delight and the wine list rocks. Order the custom house wine. 55 W. 100 South, SLC, 801-364-8833. $$
Caffé Molise BTG A sibling of Caffe Molise, BTG is really a wine bar. Because the food comes from Caffe Molise’s kitchen, we’re listing it here. The draw, though, is the selection of more than 50 wines by the glass (hence the name). Beer, cocktails and specialty spirits also available. 67 W. 100 South, SLC, 801-359-2814. $$
Cannella’s Downtown’s essential Italian-American comfort food spot, with takeout pizza shop Amore, next door. 204 E. 500 South, SLC, 801-355-8518. $ – $$
Caputo’s Market and Deli A great selection of olive oils, imported pastas, salamis and house-aged cheeses, including one of the largest selections of fine chocolate in the country. The deli menu doesn’t reflect the market, but is a reliable source for meatball sandwiches and such. 314 W. 300 South, SLC, 801-531-8669; 1516 S. 1500 East, SLC, 801-486-6615. $
Cucina Toscana This longtime favorite turns out sophisticated Italian classics like veal scaloppine, carbonara and a risotto of the day in a chic setting. A tiny cup of complimentary hot chocolate ends the meal. 282 S. 300 West., SLC, 801-328-3463
Este Pizza Try the “pink” pizza, topped with ricotta and marinara. Vegan cheese is available, and there’s microbrew on tap. 2148 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-485-3699; 156 E. 200 South, SLC, 801-363-2366. $
Granato’s Professionals pack the store at lunch for sandwiches, bread, pasta and sauces. 1391 S. 300 West, SLC, 801-486-5643; 4040 S. 2700 East, SLC, 801-277-7700; 1632 S. Redwood Rd., SLC, 801-433-0940; 4044 S. 2700 East, Holladay, 801-277-7700. $
Mia Sicilia A family-run restaurant with a huge number of fans who love the food’s hearty and approachable style, friendly service and touches of show biz – famous for its pasta carbonara, prepared in a wheel of Parmesan. 4536 Highland Dr., Millcreek, 801-274-0223. $ – $$
Nuch’s Pizzeria A New York–sized eatery (meaning tiny) offers big flavor via specialty pastas and wonderful bubbly crusted pizzas. Ricotta is made in house. 2819 S. 2300 East, SLC, 801-484-0448. $
Per Noi A little chef-owned, red sauce Italian spot catering to its neighborhood. Expect casual, your-hands-on service, hope they have enough glasses to accommodate the wine you bring, and order the spinach ravioli. 1588 E. Stratford Ave., SLC, 801-486-3333. $
The Pie Pizzeria College students can live, think and even thrive on a diet of pizza, beer and soft drinks, and The Pie is the quintessential college pizzeria. (There are other locations.) 1320 E. 200 South, SLC, 801-582-0193. $
Pizzeria Limone The signature pie at this new local chain features thinly sliced lemons, which are a terrific addition. Service is cafeteria-style, meaning fast, and the pizza, salads and gelato are remarkably good. 613 E. 400 South; 1380 E. Fort Union Blvd., SLC, 801-733-9305. $
Roma Ristorante Don’t be deterred by the strip mall exterior. Inside, you’ll find dishes like prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin and chocolate cake with pomegranate syrup.5468 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-268-1017. $$
Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta And sandwiches and burgers and steak and fish… The menu here has expanded far beyond its name. 1061 E. 2100 South, SLC, 801-484-1804. $ – $$
Sea Salt The food ranges from ethereally (baby cucumbers with chili flakes and lemon) to earthily (the special ricotta dumplings) scrumptious. Pappardelle with duck ragu and spaghetti with bottarga (Sardinian mullet roe) show pure Italian soul, and while we have lots of good pizza in Utah, Sea Salt’s ranks with the best. 1700 E. 1300 South, 801-340-1480. $$$
Settebello Pizzeria Every Neapolitan-style pie here is hand-shaped by a pizza artisan and baked in a wood-fired oven. And they make great gelato right next door. 260 S. 200 West, SLC, 801-322-3556. $ – $$
Siragusa Another strip mall mom-and-pop find, the two dishes to look out for are sweet potato gnocchi and osso buco made with pork. 4115 Redwood Rd., SLC, 801-268-1520. $ – $$
Stanza Main Course Management, the group that brought us Current and Undercurrent, has transformed the former Faustina into an equally cavernous Italianesque restaurant. Chef Logen is having his way with traditional Italian dishes, making all the pasta in-house. Beverage manager Jim Santangelo has laid in lots of Italian wines and amari. Va tutto bene!464 E. 300 South, SLC, 801-746-4441. $$$ – $$$$
Stoneground Italian Kitchen The longtime pizza joint has blossomed into a full-scale Italian restaurant with chef Justin Shifflet in the kitchen making authentic sauces and fresh pasta. An appealing upstairs deck and a full craft bar complete the successful transformation. Oh yeah, they still serve pizza. 249 E. 400 South, SLC, 801-364-1368. $ – $$
Tuscany This restaurant’s faux-Tuscan kitsch is mellowing into retro charm, though the glass chandelier is a bit nerve-wracking. The double-cut pork chop is classic, and so is the chocolate cake. 2832 E. 6200 South, 801-274-0448. $$$
Valter’s Osteria Valter Nassi’s restaurant overflows with his effervescent personality. The dining room is set up so Valter can be everywhere at once. New delights and old favorites include a number of tableside dishes. 173 W. Broadway, SLC, 801-521-4563. $$$
Veneto Ristorante This small place, owned by Marco and Amy Stevanoni, strives to focus on one of the many regional cuisines we lump under the word “Italian.” Hence the name and forget what you think you know about Italian food except the word “delizioso.” 370 E. 900 South, SLC, 801-359-0708. $$$