I'm not sure how far outside Little Italy you had in mind, but Mignano Brothers Italian Restaurant in Glen Rock, PA (just steps from the Rail Trail) is great. We eat there at least twice a month and have never had a bad experience. Food, service, prices - all well worth the trip.

I'd like to limit my list to Maryland, but I like hearing about places I don't know about, too, that aren't too far away.

Paolo's in Towson.

If you're up for including sub shops, nothing beats Capri on Hospital Drive in Glen Burnie. Best rolls outside of Philly you've ever had, and you can't go wrong with any of their hot subs. The eggplant parmesan is a personal favorite.

Sotta Sopra, Cafe Troia, and Trattoria Alberto come quickly to mind (though I haven't been to the last in years). The relatively new Osteria can't-remember-the-numbers in Annapolis has gotten great buzz, as has Cinghiale, of course. Sure there'll be no shortage of suggestions.

My nod goes to Scotto's in Bel Air. There are some classic choices as well as lighter dishes. It's a great place to show kids what a grown-up restaurant is like.

definitely Sammy's Trattoria in Mt Vernon

Top 10 "Restaurants"...Di Pasquales and AnnaTrattoria Maria??? both of these have great Italian subs, salads and entrees.

Honestly, when we're looking for cheap, tasty pizza, my girlfriend and I go to Pasticcio Italian Kitchen in the Can Company down in Canton.

The decor is nothing special, but the service is better than most Baltimore restaurants.

Plus, I think somebody (AOL?) named their pizza the city's best. It's definitely up there.

Pasticcio does have some excellent pizza. But Sotto Sopra is the only place in bmore I've ever been to that has proscuitto & mozarella as an antipasto dish (and its absolutely delicious). How much more authentic italian can you get?

Agree with Pasticcio. Also, Tiburzi's between Canton and Patterson park. Portions are enormous, service is some of the best in the city. The other day we were waited on by a nice young man. When asked if the lasagna was good he said "yep, it's my grandmother's recipe".

I have only been in the Baltimore area for a year, but was extremely fortunate to discover Mia Carolina in Glyndon. I feel that Chef/Owner Jay Cohen does a terrific job with classic Italian cuisine as well as innovative weekly specials. They also just went through a major renovation and the place is beautiful! If you do not know they are there I strongly recommend that you give them a try some time.

I would like to recommend 2 of them if I could. In Hanover off of Dorsey Road Cantina Mama Lucia - Great fast fresh Italian food - 6 - 8 specials everyday. Also in Harundale is Piazza Italia offering great Pizza and subs. Their Cheese steak is very good, and they offer a proscuitto & mozarella and tomato pizza which my daughter loves.

Best and cleanest Place for Italian food and family fun:
J&Ps, Hampstead, Md on Route 30

Pasta Blitz in Timonium (49 West Aylesbury Road) is AMAZING! It's reputation for delicious food and family-friendly atmostphere (BYOB) is growing and has become a favorite of our friends and neighbors. You MUST check it out! :-)