The Top Italian Restaurants in West Hartford, Connecticut

Although there are plenty of pizza restaurants which serve excellent, if not outstanding, Italian food located in West Hartford, Ct, their dinner menus are often limited to a few pasta dishes and perhaps, some parmigiana dinners. While this food is perfectly fine and of top- quality, there are times when only a full- service Italian restaurant will quell the hungry diner's urges.

Because sometimes the consumer is unsure of which Italian restaurants in West Hartford, Ct to patronize, presented here, in an effort to assist the consumer, is a guide which briefly profiles the top Italian restaurants in West Hartford, Connecticut.

A) Bertucci's..330 North Main St, West Hartford, Ct..(860)231-9571
With over ninety restaurants in eleven states and the District of Columbia, Bertucci's is a favorite Italian restaurant for many people. Their West Hartford, Ct location upholds their tradition of offering authentic and creative Italian dishes, baked in their signature brick ovens, at reasonable prices.

From their appetizer menu, items such as Antipasto Misto, mozzarella fritta, Mussels Caruso, shrimp scampi and tomato bruschetta are great starters to any meal. Six large, garden- fresh salads and several hearty, homemade soups are tasty meal additions offered here.

Bertucci's lunch menu features their "Express Lunch Pasta", focaccia sandwiches and panini al forno sandwiches. Dinner items served at this Italian restaurant in West Hartford, Ct include salmon and tilapia dishes, veal parmigiana and saltimbocca, chicken marsala, Anna Maria, picatta and parmigiana. Some of their great pasta dishes include Lasagna Rustica, rigatoni, broccoli and chicken, lobster ravioli and eggplant parmigiana. Tasty, brick- oven pizzas, such as; chicken with peppers, pepperoni, sausage and vegetables and shrimp with garlic and tomatoes are popular menu- items here. Large, tasty calzones, a great children's menu and several excellent desserts are also offered. An extensive wine list and full bar are also featured here.

B) Bricco Restaurant..78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford, Ct..(860)233-0220
Located on fashionable LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center, this elegant Italian restaurant is regarded by many people as being one of the best Italian restaurants in the entire state of Connecticut. A host of traditional and creative Italian dishes, with occasional hints of French influence are expertly- cooked and fashionably- presented. A nice selection of delectable appetizers, including excellent calamari, impeccably fresh salads and satisfying pasta dishes are menu- favorites here. Outstanding steaks and fresh seafood, including cedar- planked salmon are first- rate. Very good stone pies, or pizzas, are available with a wide variety of toppings. Fantastic desserts here are ample, all made- from- scratch, edible works of art. The bar area at this restaurant is a very popular "see and be seen" spot, with many local 'movers and shakers' regularly congregating there.

C) Olive Garden..1441 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, Ct..(860)521-9049
A fairly- new addition to the West Hartford, Ct dining landscape, this outpost of the venerable Italian restaurant chain is constantly busy. Featuring extensive lunch and dinner menus chock- full of traditional and inventive Italian cuisine, this restaurant has become a favorite dining spot for many West Hartford, Ct area residents. Great appetizers here include; bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, calamari and Sicilian scampi. Hot, tasty soups and crisp, fresh salads are popular menu- items. Delicious, thick- crust pizzas, including their chicken Alfredo variety, are served with unlimited soup or salad. Hearty, classic lasagna, chicken and eggplant parmigianas, fettucine Alfredo and braised beef with tortelloni are favorite pasta dishes at this Italian restaurant in West Hartford, Ct. Outstanding beef and pork items served here are; pork filettino, braised short ribs, Tuscan T- bone steak and mixed grill. Chicken marsala, chicken Giordano, herb- grilled salmon, shrimp and asparagus risotto and parmesan- crusted tilapia are well- portioned and satisfying. All entrees at this Italian restaurant are served with choice of soup or salad and freshly- baked garlic breadsticks.

Half-a- dozen very good desserts are offered are served at this family- friendly Italian restaurant. These include tiramisu, chocolate gelato, lemon cream cake and a magnificent Black Tie Moussecake. Low-fat, Low- carb and gluten- intolerant- customized meals are also offered here. A nice children's menu is featured, as is a fairly- large wine list and full bar service.

D) Romano's Macaroni Grill..345 North Main St, West Hartford, Ct..(860)233-7605
This family- friendly Italian restaurant is located at the busy Bishops Corner shopping center. The cavernous main dining room is functionally- decorated and offers views of an open kitchen, where diners can see their meals being prepared. A comprehensive menu, ranging from appetizers, soups and salads, to brick- oven pizzas, pasta, grilled- items and classic Italian dishes is offered at reasonable prices. Appetizers such as bruschetta, mushroom ravioli and mussels Tarantina are well- portioned and toothsome. Over ten dynamic salads are offered here, with varieties such as chicken Florentine, steak and arugula salad and seared sea scallops with spinach and arugula.

Pasta dishes, including chicken rigatoni, shrimp diavolo, sausage and peppers, lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs are crowd favorites here. Grilled steaks, chicken, pork and seafood items are available, as are a variety of brick- oven pizzas. Nice desserts, including a lemon passion cake, New York cheesecake and a dessert ravioli are offered at this Italian restaurant in West Hartford, Connecticut. A great children's menu, an extensive wine list and full bar service are offered.