Giacomo's Ristorante Italiano has been a family affair ever since Sicilian-born Chef Giacomo Zito, his wife Anna Maria, and daughter Amanda originally opened the eatery in 1998. Above all else, the Zitos sought to create a casually elegant setting where locals could find the familiar tastes of authentically grounded southern Italian cuisine. As Chef Giacomo toldCheck, Please!, "I want [diners] to say, 'this is the way restaurants used to be.'"

He embraces these time-honored roots by adhering closely to culinary tradition and making fresh pastas every day. This unwavering dedication to comforting flavors of Old World cuisine is readily apparent throughout the menu, which overflows with familiar classics, including braciole, eggplant parmigiana, and hearty lasagna with layer after layer of ground beef, ricotta and mozzarella, meat sauce, and polenta. Even the tiramisu goes one step beyond the traditional trattoria staple by using imported ladyfingers soaked in espresso and various Italian liqueurs.

The timeless quality of the cuisine is echoed by the cozy, homespun ambiance in the restaurant's dining area. Exposed brickwork lends a rustic vibe to the space, although there's a fine attention to detail, such as tables draped with crisp white linens and the black napkins folded into perfect dodecahedrons. During the snow-free months, the restaurant also features an outdoor seating area.