La Fontana Authentic Italian Restaurant, Charleston

Chef Gary Langevin is so driven to create an authentic Italian dining experience that he not only breaks up Bella Napoli's menu into multiple courses, including primi and secondi piatti, but also offers, upon request, to prepare favorite dishes from Italy that are not on the menu. The Italian ambiance extends from the kitchen into the dining room, where friendly staffers tap into Italy's warm-natured culture by mingling with guests as they feast and oftentimes singing along to the live music that fills the air on Saturday evenings. On Saturday afternoons, diners feast on expertly cooked pasta dishes or tiramisu made with imported ladyfingers while learning the cuisine's native language, courtesy of workshops with Il Tavolo Italiano, in which instructors guide pupils toward mastering Italian phrases such as "The weather is beautiful" and "Clearly, the Mona Lisa was Da Vinci's most contrived piece of work.