Giulia

Giulia, located between Porter and Harvard squares in Cambridge, first opened in late 2012 to high reviews for its superb pasta and kind friendliness. Chef-owner Michael Pagliarini and his wife Pamela Ralston pamper their guests with a warm welcome, friendly, professional service and killer pasta that are hand made by day on a custom-made table used to accommodate large groups at night.

The menu has lofty goals: to deliver authentic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on the ingredients, as many of which are sourced locally as possible. The basic, seasonal first dishes keep to the modest, elevated but authentic concept, each with a fillip to add intrigue (say, an orange-and-anchovy vinaigrette over grilled escarole and radicchio, $10, or thin, rich lardo draped above puffy, spongy small disks of warm semolina, $5). The sweets, which include creamy, fluffy handcrafted gelatos like hazelnut affogato with bits of chocolate shortbread and pistachio with cherry compote and pizzelle (both $6), reflect the same emotion.

Location: Lungotevere Dei Tebaldi 4/4A, Lungotevere dei Tebaldi 4 /4A - 00186 Rome

Website: www.giuliarestaurant.it