Piazza Italia

If you’re craving fresh, homemade pasta – the ultimate in comfort food – head to Portland’s Pizza Italia where you are guaranteed to find “solid, old-school Italian food,” as one critic declared. Favorites on the menu include Linguine Squarciarella -- linguine with stirred egg, prosciutto, onion, parmesan, and black pepper; the Pappardelle al Cinghiale with slow-cooked wild boar meat sauce; or classic lasagna. Don’t be fooled by the casual décor, featuring a slew of soccer jerseys as an ode to the late Italian immigrant owner’s love of the sport; the food is definitely high-class. Staffed mainly by friends and family, the restaurant is now in its second generation of operation and remains a locals’ favorite with regulars stopping by to catch a soccer game or just to say hello.