The Best Italian Restaurants in Georgia

Gone are the days when I prepared pasta from a box and used sauce from a jar. After years of experimenting with different pastas, I've got bake ziti down to a science. On those occasions when I am just not in the mood to spend the time in the kitchen I jump in the car and head to my favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant. I have about 10 that I deem worthy, but I have made it easier for you to choose and narrowed it down to my top 3 picks for Georgia.

Maggianos Little Italy (www.maggianos.com) - I became acquainted with this establishment only 3 years ago when our office hosted our annual Christmas party. The atmosphere was very charming and cozy. On this particular evening there was standing room only and I began pondering if it was worth the wait. After mingling for about 45 minutes it was our turn to be seated. Right away I was impressed with the service. The servers were personable and attentive. Since we had a group of people, we all decided to choose the family style dining and we ordered specific menu items to share. I had heard of family style dining before, but I was not prepared for the portions that Maggianos was serving up! When the servers brought platters with enough food to feed a small village, I was impressed. However, we all know that size doesn't matter much when it comes to good cuisine; the proof is in the tastes. So I gathered a little bit of everything (Karen's style of course) As I eyes lit up with pure joy, I had to admit it was worth the wait. The meat was tender and flavorful and the vegetables were cooked just right; not overcooked and soggy or undercooked and raw, but steamed with just the right amount of crispness. From the salad we began the evening with to the succulent dessert it was truly a feast not only for the eyes, but for the stomach. I love desserts in general, but if you like cheese cake, you'll fall in love with Maggianos! The slice was the size of half a cake....it was truly a sight to behold and I can not adequately describe the taste to you, so why not grab your family or take a friend to your nearest neighborhood Maggianos today and judge for yourself!

Carrabus Italian Grill - A little over a year ago, a friend of mine invited me out to dinner at a restaurant in my own neighborhood that I had never noticed before. It was a Saturday night and once we arrived at Carrabus it appeared as though there was a concert taking place inside the building. The parking lot was packed from every angle and the line was literally around the corner. I thought only one of two things are happening here, either they are giving away free money, or the food is worth its weight in gold. Unfortunately our group was famished and couldn't wait an hour to be seated, so we went on to a more accessible establishment that evening. However, the experience left an impression in my mind that I did not forget, so I knew I would have to come back at a later date. That later date was one afternoon on my way home from church. I thought let's see if we can get a table and to my delight there was very little waiting. The atmosphere was really charming and intimate. However, I must admit I didn't care too much for the service. After being seated we waited a substantial amount of time to the point I literally had to get up from my table and seek a server. Once our server showed up that afternoon I ordered salad, pizza and dessert of course. Everything was fresh and had great flavor and I didn't break the bank. So when you're in the mood for some quality Italian fare, you might have to look past the service in order to get a really good meal.

Johnny Carinos Italian Restaurant (www.Carinos.com) - I became familiar with this restaurant after a night out at the theatre and it was in the same location and everything else was closed, so I thought let's just get a quick bite to eat. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the freshness of the dishes. I didn't care too much for the atmosphere, but the food made up for the lack of atmosphere. I am an upbeat person and I like atmospheres that are bursting with light and life and this one was just a little drab. However the service was excellent; we had our meal in less than 30 minutes. The salad we had was nicely appointed with lots of fresh veggies and the baked pasta dish I ordered had a unique taste , and every time I go back I end up ordering that same dish because the combination of flavors is like nothing I've ever tasted. The next time you're in the mood for unique Italian cuisine head to your nearest Johnny Carinos and bon' appetite!