Your list should (read must) also include Pasta Plus in Laurel, MD.

Our favorite Italian restaurant is Luna Blu on West Street in Annapolis. The best marinara sauce we've tasted, and the fried green tomatoes in marinara are a must! Cozy ambience and wonderful service, too!

I second the request to put Pasta Plus on your list. This hidden gem is my favorite place to get Italian food.

Nice list. However i think Cafe Mezzanotte in Severna Park needs to be given some serious consideration .

Third the comment on Pasta Plus! Although you may consider that more Washington than Baltimore.

There is no finer Italian food in Harford County than Giovanni's on Pulaski Hwy.

Pasta Mista of Towson has hands down the best pizza in the area. Not to mention the gnocchi and tortellini are to die for. Its casual and a neighborhood favorite.

My favorite italian food is what i make at home. I always compare to it when i go to an italian restautant. It was taught to me from my mother in law. It has the taste that I enjoy the most.
Andree

Pasta Plus is a glaring ommission.

What about Tiburzi's Cafe in Canton?

Although the service is usually lacking, Pasta Blitz of Timonium puts out some of the best pasta dishes in the area. If you can suffer through the strip mall decor and unfortunate name, you'll enjoy the best bread south of New York City too.

Frank's on Belair Rd. in Northeast Baltimore is unbelievable.

I second the comment on Pasta Mista in Towson. The people are always friendly. Plus I'll put the chicken cesaer pizza up against any specialty pizza in Baltimore. If you are in Towson this place is a must.

to follow up on pasta plus the setting is homy, the food is the best in the city and area, the people are the friendliest. remember they dont take reservations and the line may be long. But the wait and food are worth it'

I was not really happy with the food at Cinghiale when I went (service and atmosphere was excellent) - Maybe you should insert one of the others recommended as 3a until you go there.

Black Olive in Canton is fantastic. Its right on the outskirts of the main frantic Mezze area, walking distance. The wait is a little long (roughly an hour) but the food is absolutely delicious. The ambiance is romantic and classy. Great wine list. Overall a hidden gold star.

Hi, Elizabeth!

Thanks for the intriguing list. There are several you mention, especially Cafe Troia, which I will certain try very soon.

I happen to live right down the street from Liberatore's Owings Mills location. Unfortunately, I've had a couple of rather bad experiences there, and will not return. The atmosphere seems very overblown and pretentious, and the food is never better, and often much worse, than you would get at an Olive Garden for a LOT less money.

I'm similarly unimpressed with Sammy's in Mt. Vernon. I thought the food quite pedestrian and overpriced. The evening I was there, the owner spent the entire time I was in the establishment hobbnobbing with a tableful of obvious regulars whom he clearly knew very well, rather than paying attention to the overall operation.

And, now, a question: why not the Brass Elephant? Do you not like it, or did it not meet your criteria for this list for some other reason? Though I've lived in Baltimore for 21 years, I've unacccountably never been there, and so have no axe to grind. But, I'd definitely like to give it a try sometime.

Cheers,

Dave

I assume you have never owned a restaurant. The friends I have that do work incredibly hard to make their places a success. I am sure the food at Cinghiale is good (I feel I am practically an investor at their other restaurants I go so often) but to crown them as top ten without going there is a slight to those that have established successful businesses already such as Tiburzis in Canton.

Black Olive in Canton is fantastic.

But it's not Italian.

I have to give a shout out to Pasta Plus in Laurel as well!

Isn't The Black Olive Greek?

With due respect, great as it is, the Black Olive, whose owner left a whole tract of partially developed land looking awful on Caroline Street, is Greek--not Italian.

Pasta Mista in Towson has some of the best Italian dishes in the area and not to mention the best pizza in Maryland. They also have the most selections of different types of pizza. They are also very creative with their food and the employees are very friendly. Best carry out or eat in restaurant in the area.

I vote for Antrim 1844 in Taneytown. There is a fixed price menu, but with several choices. The food, service and atmosphere are terrific.

As others have mentioned, Black Olive is Greek, not Italian. It's also not in Canton. It's in Fell's Point.

Dear Elizabeth Large, I may not have put the entire name in for Antrim 1844, I seem to remember that I forgot to add the 1844. Can you fix this?
Chuck

Try Fazzini's Italian Kitchen in Cockeysville.

Fazzini's in Cockeysville has great pasta and sauces. Much better than what I've had from Pasta Blitz.

Gianni's Italian Bistro is awesome! formerly known as Luciano's, the food is second to none! Pizza, Gnoccis, everything is great!
3720 Washington Blvd
Arbutus, MD 21227
Next to Home Depot

http://giannisitalianbistro.com/

Elizabeth, your description of Cafe Troia was so compelling that I decided my husband and I might go there this week for dinner. I viewed their menu and found the following items:

Vitella alla Valdostana 24
scaloppini veal lightly sautéed with butter and shallots topped with Prosciutto and Asiago cheese and accompanied by Chef's choice of vegetable

Vitella Bagna Cauda 24
scaloppini of humanely raised antibiotic-free veal lightly sautéed with a sauce of capers, green olives, anchovies, garlic, pepper and white wine, and accompanied by Chef's choice of vegetable

You know what my question is, but I will ask anyway, was the first veal not humanely raised and antibiotic free? And, in the words of Anthony Bourdain: "You killed the thing -- what's cruelty free (or humane) about that ?" Sorry, I could not help myself.

Anyway, I look forward to trying some of that veal!

PASTA PLUS!

The name and the location fool a lot of people. It's been my favorite restaurant since I was in elementary school. Laurel is quicker to get to then Columba or Annapolis.

Boy Elizabeth, you really dropped the ball on this one. I'll probably get killed by my neighbors for letting this out of the bag. "Bella Napoli" in Pasadena. I won't give you the address as I have already spilled the beans. It's the best kept secret in town, or at least till now. Try it, especially the salmon. You'll love it. All of Pasadena does.

Fazinni's in Cockeysville has the best Italian food around, at a great price. Everything is made in house, and portions are big enough to share. With a terrific house salad in a focaccia bread bowl, and one of the best house dressings anywhere, this can also be shared by three people. Two can eat for under $30.00. Bring your own alcohol, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and excellent service.

I wasn't favorably impressed with Sammy's Trattoria the couple of times I've been there.
But some of the home mades (pasta & Dad's meatballs) at Anna Maria's Trattoria in Federal Hill are fantastic.

Antrim 1844 is certainly outside of Little Italy, but it is not Italian.

Mamma Lucia in Carney has excellent buffet selections for good downscale grub

Sammy's was a big disaster when we went there ... the exceptionally poor service was a big standout. Lots of mistakes in the orders, huge amount of waiting, attempts to talk to anyone about it were rebuffed, no apology. I put it on my list top ten places to avoid.

Another vote for Pasta Plus in Laurel. It's been great for the 10 years I've been going.

Sorry to nix pasta plus, but I made the long trip down there because I had heard great things. Went with 5 friends and the food was AWFUL, the meatballs even came out cold and there was NO atmosphere on the plastic chairs.

So we tried Victor's Cafe on this article's recommendation. We were VERY disappointed. The pizza looked not only like mall pizza, but WEEK OLD mall pizza. I had intended to order pizza, but decided not to order that or even risk the $13(!) on ravioli. I ended up with a caesar salad and tomato basil soup, both of which were thoroughly unoriginal and overpriced. I also don't like sit-down restaurants that serve drinks in paper cups. Yuck. Just Yuck.

I tried out Tiburzi's Cafe in Canton back when it reopened in the summer and was pretty unimpressed. Pasta Plus in Laurel however is definitely good.

And add another vote for Cafe Mezzanotte in Severna Park. I went there last weekend for the first time, and was really impressed.

Our favorites are Sotto Sopra and Pazza Luna (more my wife's especially the pappardelle at Sotto), and we can't wait to try Cinghiale (I guess its after their revamp that I learned from your more recent blog).

Sorry to nitpick and I'm a little behind on the blog but it's McLean, VA. :)

Are you kidding? I love nitpicking. One great thing about the blog, unlike print, is that I can make corrections -- if somebody calls attention to the mistake. Thanks.

Mary Jo and I have been regulars at Aida's since they opened over five years ago. Joe and Mary make you feel like you are guests in their home everytime you come to dine.
The staff is very accommodating, the menu is delightful and the wine list is very diverse. The ambiance inside quickly makes you forget that it is in a shopping center.
I highly recommend it to all my friends.

Aida Bistro is fantastic. My wife and I eat their whenever we go out for dinner. All the dishes are incredible, but the Shrimp Scampi with homemade fresh pasta is to die for!!!

Aida Bistro. Food, wine, and service are awesome.

My wife and I have been going to Aida Bistro since they opened. The small plate menu is fantastic for getting some variety without getting stuffed. They have a three course prix fix small plate menu for under $30; under $40 with wines to match. Items change often based on what's the freshest ingredients available. The best half-bottle wine list I've ever seen; so you can be alone or just not want the same wine as your partner and not have to buy individual glasses.

My husband our son and I have been enjoying the meals at AIDA Bistro for many years. Whenever our family comes from New York we make sure they enjoy a meal with us there. It is our special place in Columbia or Baltimore to enjoy a great meal;great personalize service and the best wine list.We recommend to everyone AIDA Bistro. Thanks Joe and Mary!!!!

AIDA Bistro is the best! We've also been going there since it first opened and have had many special occasions there . . Aida, Joe, Mary and their children always make us feel like part of their family - the food, wine, music - everything is wonderful!!

6 recommendations for Aida Bistro in a row. Hmmmm, do these folks also go to Captain Larry's for the crabcakes ???

My wife and I have been going to Aida Bistro for several years now and we have always been delighted with their wonderful fare and inviting atmosphere. I am Italian, I have visited Italy several times, and I have served as both director of catering and executive chef for two successful restaurants in "upstate" New York. As such, I feel I have a fairly firm grasp on what is likely obvious to anyone who has had the pleasure of eating at Aida... The place is pure magic! Nothing but the best ingredients, artfully and lovingly prepared, and then skillfully matched with wonderful wines (thanks Joe!)
One more thing... Aida has passed the ultimate test... my mother (a first generation Italian with very discerning taste in restaurants) loved the place!

Pasta Plus! One of the best and most authentic Italian restaurants in the area, and incredibly reasonably priced for the quality of the food. And Laurel is not Washington; it goes both ways, being exactly halfway between.

When in Atlanta choose LaGrotta on Peachtree Street. Superb Italian food. From April through October ask for a table on the back garden patio.

I've been to Cpt Larry's.... they're pretty good at what they do!

I LIKE ITALIAN FOOD BEACUSE MY DAD IS A ITALIAN HE FROM NEW YORK ITALY BEACUSE HE GROWN UP THEY

Pazza luna was seriously the worst food i have ever put in my mouth. I literally could not eat the meal I was served during restaurant week. Gritty, sandy argula. rubbery shrimp. Mealy "tomatoes" and just abysmal, sticky, disgusting pasta. The olive garden is legitimately superior, and I think we can all agree, the Olive Garden is pretty disgusting. overrated, Baltimore trash food. YUCK. try Scotto's in Bel Air ( i know, Bel Air...). Some of the sweetest, freshest tomato sauce around.

The BEST Italian in Harford County is BASTA PASTA (www.bastapasta.net). Authentic Italian with large portions at low prices. It has a great family atmosphere, courteous staff and is CLEAN! I HIGHLY recommend it.

LaGrotta on Peachtree St? I think Frank took the "outside of Little Italy" part a bit too literally.

I am way late to this party. For my money, you can't beat Squire's in Dundalk. Their marinara sauce is incredible. I always order extra sauce on the side and eat it with a spoon! And no, I'm not fat. :)