Tuscana West, Washington

Tuscana West's chefs handcraft pastas, gourmet pizzas, and hearty Italian entrees within an open-air kitchen. The in-house baker focuses his expertise on preparing fresh focaccia bread to round out lunches and dinners, as well as on layering the eatery's immensely popular tiramisu with ladyfinger cookies, espresso-soaked sponge cake, and mascarpone mousse.

The main dining area is accented with rustic decor, bucolic murals, and soft lighting, cultivating a relaxed ambiance for family gatherings, work outings, and romantic Yahtzee games. Guests can also dine within the spacious bar area, which boasts granite and mahogany accents, flat-screen TVs, and a piano that fills the elegant eatery's soundscape with live music on certain evenings. Once monthly, a group of local singers entertains guests and encourages joyful weeping into pasta bowls with an evening of live opera.