NORTH AUSTIN. At this charming, old-style restaurant, the personable owner makes frequent rounds of the dining room, chatting with guests, serving steaming plates of northern Italian food, and generally creating a memorable atmosphere. Outstanding main courses include Gamberi Bocelli (shrimp and crab wrapped in prosciutto and served with a white wine sauce), Vitello Sorrentina (veal with prosciutto, eggplant, fontina, and a touch of tomato sauce), and Pollo Con Asparagi (chicken topped with fresh tomato, asparagus, and fontina). A multi-course chef's menu is available.

NORTH AUSTIN. A sleek, upscale neighborhood restaurant, Asti attracts a diverse, fun crowd. Fans of fungi will most definitely want to sample the stuffed mushroom appetizers; each sizable cap is filled with a mix of goat cheese, ricotta, and pecorino-romano, then sprinkled with sage and drizzled with a few drops of truffle oil. Heavenly! Linguine with clams ­ perfectly al dente pasta, clams, and a garlicky white wine sauce ­ produces a similar reaction (deep and satisfied sighs). Try chocolate cannoli or amaretto semifreddo for dessert.

WEST AUSTIN. This lovely restaurant is elegant and tastefully decorated with well-spaced, white cloth-topped tables and a classy bar area. All pasta is made in-house, and the chefs have a deft hand with seafood. Gamberetti Caponata (chilled shrimp with a flavorful eggplant-tomato-caper relish) is particularly good, as are Mussels Genovese. Vongole Alfredo combines baby clams and a classic alfredo sauce over black pepper fettuccine. You'd be hard pressed to find a better pasta dish in Austin!

RED RIVER DISTRICT. One of Austin's favorite pizza places, Brick Oven has a handful of locations in the Austin area. Thanks to rustic ovens, the place can turn out a wealth of delicious, wood-fired pizzas, not to mention pastas, calzones, and sandwiches. If you're in the market for a pie, consider portabello and prosciutto or garlic chicken and sundried tomato varieties. Or, fashion one yourself from their range of tasty toppings. Shrimp fettuccine, baked spinach ravioli, and bulging strombolis are also terrific options.

DOWNTOWN. Located in an attractive historic building, Carmelo's is well-known for its elegant dining rooms, terrace, and bar, not to mention its dramatic tableside preparations of classics like steak Diane, fettuccine carbonara, and flambéed desserts. Start with crab and almond-stuffed artichoke bottoms, or try carpaccio with shaved parmesan, lemon and olive oil. Second-course pasta dishes range from lobster ravioli to fettuccine Luisa, a rich combination of crab, clams, shrimp, garlic, cream, and orvieto secco. Meats and seafood are grilled or broiled for optimal flavor. A great place for special occasions and large gatherings.