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Best of Metromix Indianapolis 2011Italian restaurant

Let's face it. We're not suuuper close to Italy (or a huge Italian population, for that matter). Oddly enough, we had a tough time narrowing down our top five choices for the best Italian restaurant in town. Is it the ambience that does it for you? The wine? The penne? However you choose to vote is up to you!

Iozzo's Garden of Italy

946 S. Meridian St.

Indianapolis, IN 46225

Neighborhood: Downtown

More than 70 years ago, Iozzo's Garden of Italy was a Midwestern destination. Then, in 1941, a family tragedy struck and the restaurant closed. Katie Cummings, great-granddaughter of the original owner, reopened it in 2009. Her Southern Italian-inspired menu features many of the same veal, pork and lamb selections, as well as sauce recipes. The romantic, outdoor patio is reminiscent of Little Italy; sit back and enjoy jazz or a movie on certain nights.

Nominees

Augustino's

8028 S. Emerson Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46237

Located on the southern edge of historic Lockerbie, Amici's is off the main Downtown thoroughfares but not far enough off to miss. Faux-aged walls surround a small main dining room, and even more intimate seating can be found upstairs. At $16 to $25, it's slightly more expensive than casual dining, but they also serve more affordable pizza and calzones.

Bella Vita at the Marina

11699 Fall Creek Road

Fishers, IN 46256

If you've ever sat on the deck here -- watching the sun set while boats dock and dispense their suntanned occupants -- then you've experienced the "beautiful life" about as good as any Indy restaurant can deliver. Steak, seafood and tangy pasta dishes like the give the view its flavor. A new patio enclosure ensures lake views -- frozen or rippled -- year round.

Iaria's Italian Restaurant

317 S. College Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46202

Neighborhood: Downtown

The unassuming exterior hides the kind of neighborhood Italian eatery that chain restaurants try (and largely fail) to replicate. The marinara at Iaria's is as sweet as the restaurant's story of origin: Pete and Antonia Iaria opened the eatery in 1933, 20 years after moving to the Italian immigrant-dominated neighborhoods just south of Downtown, and the family has served the same recipes ever since.

Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant

1031 E. 54th St.

Indianapolis, IN 46220

Neighborhood: Broad Ripple

When visiting pro athletes, pop stars or zillionaires want a recommendation for the best Italian food in town, hotel concierges often direct them to this Broad Ripple favorite. The atmosphere is robust and romantic; if Tramp were to take Lady out for a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, he'd come to Mama's.