La Alacena Trattoria

When trying to identify a top Italian restaurant, we either come across places that exude the strong sense of professionalism and elegance you associate with a fine-dining experience, or those with the informal atmosphere of a traditional trattoria, where regional-style home cooking always takes center stage—at La Alacena, it is definitely the latter. Here, owner-chef Julieta Oriolo pours her heart and soul into Italian cuisine, honoring her family roots and demonstrating a genuine passion for ingredients from Italy. On her à la carte menu, where you’ll find an enticing selection of antipasti and a few dishes worthy of special mention (such as the exquisite polpette dal sugo), pasta takes center stage, handmade with durum wheat flour and free-range eggs (standout dishes include the veal ravioli with homemade cream and caramelized fennel, and fettuccine with saffron). They also sell their own artisanal pasta two blocks away, at La Alacena Pastificio & Salumeria.