Villa Nuova Santana, Bothell

Because it’s located in a strip mall, Villa Nuova Santana Ristorante Italiano can be easy to overlook. “Don’t let the unassuming cover fool you; Villa Nuova is certainly worth discovering for yourself,” the Herald says in a review. Inside, crisp white tablecloths make space for fresh bread and olive oil seasoned with a house recipe of garlic, red pepper, and top-secret deliciousness. Generous glasses of wine pair with mussels and clams served in a buttery white-wine sauce. Other entrees include heaping helpings of cannelloni and pork tenderloin sautéed in gorgonzola cream sauce. Artwork on the walls evokes the spirit of the Sistine Chapel, except here visitors can eat and enjoy the sights without a permanent crick in their neck.