Arrivederci Ristorante, Scottsdale

Arrivederci, co-founder Franco was born in Sorrento, a seaside village in Southern Italy where he began studying Italian food. Over the next 25 years, Franco honed his craft and began imagining a health-conscious style of Italian cuisine that focuses on fresh ingredients, no preservatives, and more veggies. After being named "Master of Italian Cuisine" by the Italian Council of Chefs, Franco met his current business partner, Max, and began putting his ideas into practice.

The walls of Arrivederci's dining room are covered with sketched murals and stenciled Roman lettering, leading first-time visitors to wonder if the entire restaurant was crafted in an artist's studio. Earthen clay tiles guide the eye to a wooden bar with painted accents of wreaths, angels, and full wine glasses that tempt the hands of the gullible. White tablecloths boast thinly sliced salmon and beef carpaccios, twirled and rolled pasta dishes, and veal and chicken entrees in delicate wine sauces. After finishing off a wine bottle in the cozy sun porch, guests can get a closer look at the dining room's murals, which feature traditional Roman scenes of chiseled gladiators drinking tea and dishing the latest tunic trends.