Avero Italiano, Wayne

Avero Italiano strives to capture the spirit of an Italian trattoria. In other words, it's all about eating, drinking, laughing, and loving, con amici e famiglia (with friends and family). If the warm, rustic yet modern atmosphere doesn't make that crystal clear, the restaurant's four awnings each display one of the eatery's hallmark words: Eat, Drink, Laugh, and Love.

There are plenty of reasons to do all of the above here. From the copper-and-brick pizza oven, the delicious scents of roasted garlic, dough, and other locally grown ingredients emanate throughout the dining room, tempting guests to try a wood-fired pizza. Menu items such as Grandma Norma's meatballs evoke fond thoughts of family—even more so when you insist on calling your Grandma Evelyn "Norma" all evening. The seasonally inspired menu, which features ingredients from local farmers, includes handcrafted pastas and risottos. Diners can pair the hearty dishes with craft beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.