[UteStar]

Here is my list of ranking Salt Lake City italian restaurants (locally owned and chains):

1. Biaggis (Gateway): Large dining area, nice atmosphere. I really liked their spaghetti and I will say that I have more than enjoyed all of the other meals that I have eaten here. Yes, it is a chain and I am embarrassed to have it here, but I really like it.

2. Trio (Old Mill and down on 6th South and 9th east). Trendy restaurant with limited seating downtown, but a lot of room at the Old Mill.

3. Tuccis (Trolley Square). Nice atmosphere and good food. I really enjoyed their caesar salad but their calzones and their spaghettis are all very tasty as well. Service has always been very good here.

4. Cafe Molise (downtown). Fantastic setting with in and outdoor seating. One of just a couple of these restaurants that has bigger city feel to it. The gnocchi is very good.

5. Baci (downtown). Good food, good ambiance. I have liked the chicken dishes here.

6. Canellas (next door to the library): Nice atmosphere and pretty good food. The chicken alfredo is very nice.

7. Cinnegrill (downtown). This is kind of a celebrity hotspot that has been downtown for decades (at diff locations though). Cinnegrill is known for its italian salads and they are well worth it. The rest of the food is good, though not amazing but it makes up for it with a side salad or a bigger salad.

8. Al Fornos (downtown). I had heard people rave about it...I liked it, I just won't rave about it. Just about average spaghetti and overall, to me, slightly above average food.

9. Spaghetti Factory (Trolley Square): Decent prices (though pricing goes up, it seems every 6 months) and average food. It is a good place if you are bringing your kids...average or less if you are going out for the night with the wife.

10. Buca de Beppos (downtown). I had heard a lot about this place for a while and all I found was mediocre food, over the top decorations in the place, etc. I was not too impressed and the place was loud and a little obnoxious to me.

11. Marcaroni Grill (downtown). Average. I went once and probably won't go back again.

Other: Faustinas: (located near downtown). Not really an italian restaurant, but I will put it here because they had an absolutely terrific lasagna dinner that I would gladly go back and have more of. Trendy place.

The Pie (at the U). I love the Pie, but I didn't really list it with the others because though I do not always get the pizza, 95% of the time I do, so I consider it not so much as an italian place, but more as a terrific greasy pizza place.

Granatos (by Olympus High School). Not really a restaurant but absolutely terrific italian sandwiches.

I did not list Olive Garden for easily understood reasons.