Talia's Tuscan Table

Chef Andrew Bennardo—affectionately known as chef Baba around the kitchen—supervises his house-made mozzarella as it completes its majestic metamorphosis from curd to brick, eventually melting the fully formed cheese atop pastas, pizzas, and other Italian dishes. He and his staff also nestle cured meats, gourmet cheeses, and crisp vegetables into an array of hero sandwiches named for Italian luminaries, such as Verdi, da Vinci, and Galileo.

The eatery regales guests with eye-grabbing dinning environs, boasting a ceiling-mounted faux grape arbor and festive red, white, and green walls. Every Sunday afternoon, chef Andrew reveals his expert techniques in cooking classes complete assorted juice and smoothie samples throughout the class and wine pairings. Juice classes teach their benefits like boosting energy and the immune system, while giving the body a break from hard-to-digest fibers.