CITY CENTER. You might think you stumbled into a library when entering the dining room of this venerable Italian establishment, located in a spacious old villa in the Westend. Deep mahogany bookshelves, filled with books of course, line the walls. Sit at an intimate table by the window and feast on chef Agazio Ritano's specialties in true Italian style. An extensive wine list complements dishes such as duck breast with pignoli and mascarpone, four cheese stuffed veal or sole with spinach in a prosecco sauce. Top it off with pannacotta or tiramisu and a leisurely stroll through the streets afterwards.

CITY CENTER. Taking Fellini's film as its thematic design cue, this festive restaurant features large communal tables and prints from the director's movies on the walls. The menu is largely Italian, with thin crust pizzas and pastas being the preferred dishes. A popular pre-party gathering spot, the restaurant tends to get crowded on weekend evenings, but it's a great place to meet like-minded souls.

CITY CENTER. If you happened upon a country house in the Veneto, with tables spread with several courses of hearty regional fare, it would be just like entering La Trattoria. Chef Heidi Stella was born in Italy and spent many years working at other award-winning restaurants. Husband Giorgio is Trattoria's resident sommelier and together they present the best Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

CITY CENTER. Pasta so fresh it practically melts on your tongue, crisp crust pizza and a host of traditional Italian comfort food offerings from veal parmiggiana to steak pizzaiola nicely rounded out with everyone's favorite dolci: tiramisu, zambaglione, cassata and gelato. A salute!

CITY CENTER. A curved, somewhat narrow dining room lined with glass and windows fits right into its niche in the Museum of Modern Art. You'll find the light Italian fare such as paglia e fieno with chestnuts and fennel or boneless lamb in blueberry sauce refreshing and fortifying after walking the floors of the museum. Don't skip dessert, vanilla and chocolate cream on liquor soaked sponge fingers is not to be missed.