HAWTHORNE DISTRICT. A small, warm dining room and attentive service charm patrons at this inviting bistro just off Hawthorne Boulevard. Italian cuisine accented with a Northwestern touch distinguishes the menu, and you'll always find fresh, tasty fare amid comfortable surroundings. Their penne with vodka sauce is a classic, spiked with liquor and hot peppers. You'll also be thrilled by succulent roasted chicken, baked clams, eggplant ravioli and fresh salmon served atop polenta. Desserts include traditional sweets like tiramisu and a much-requested bread pudding. Italian food without wine would be a grave oversight; luckily, that's not even a worry here, thanks to the great wine list.

This Hillsdale area favorite showcases the foods of the Piedmont region of Italy. Start with an appetizer of sweet pepper rotolos stuffed with albacore tuna or order the roasted onion filled with gorgonzola and hazelnuts. After getting a hint of what pleasures the kitchen has in store for you, you'll no doubt eagerly await your main dish selection, something along the lines of roast lamb loin chops, market fresh fish or roasted sweet breads and grilled duck liver.

Take a trip to the Hawthorne neighborhood to find this exceptional pizza spot that employs simplicity as the rule of thumb. Hand- mixed dough and hot ovens create amazingly flaky crusts that, when topped with fresh ingredients, simply melt in your mouth. Beer and wine are available, as is the option to build your own pie. However, the rules are plain: no more than 3 ingredients per pie, with no more than 1 meat per pie, as the owners are firm believers that overloading a pizza spells its doom. Call to make sure they are open. This is a family-run restaurant and they take occasional vacations.

SOUTH WATERFRONT DISTRICT. Hidden away in a secluded, tree-lined setting with huge windows that look out over the picturesque Willamette River, this Italian hotspot ably delivers on both atmosphere and service. Aquariva's unique and extensive small plates menu ­ customers are encouraged to order three to four dishes at a time ­ and an impressive all-Italian wine list can be a little intimidating, especially for newcomers. But thanks to a patient, knowledgeable, and ultra-friendly waitstaff, your first experience surely won't be your last.

A rich backdrop of deeply-hued walls and classical mouldings gives this restaurant an ancient Roman ambience. As evidenced by the crowds, it's a desirable place to go, and the food more than supports the enthusiasm. Fantastic Italian cuisine is the draw, especially perfectly-cooked pastas of all profiles. Flavorful ingredients add zest to penne and linguine, and you'll have a true sense of authenticity when you sample fruity olive oils, crisp greens, earthy mushrooms, and the lush accent of cream and pungent cheeses. If you're with a group, the chef offers three pastas served family-style so everyone can sample several varieties. Italian wines and decadent desserts add an extra note of pleasure.