Who doesn’t love a bowl of noodles? Oklahoma City has a remarkably robust Italian food scene and with World Pasta Day coming Oct. 25, there’s a perfect excuse to flock out to your favorite restaurant and enjoy all things pasta. Either new (to you) or old favorites, here are seven spots serving up dishes that will leave you saying “buonissimo” all the way out the door.
Venezia Italian Ristorante
405-702-7773 • 201 S Sooner Rd.
Tucked away in a strip mall in Del City you’ll find a small family-owned restaurant serving up authentic Italian fare. Their menu is designed to resemble the full course of a traditional Italian dinner, starting from classic aperitivos and antipasto, all the way to satisfying desserts and tasty wines. Try a few different options with their pasta combo or partake in the house special — the Venezia lasagna — or, thick pasta noodles layered with beets and ricotta, topped with marinara and mozzarella cheese.
Moni’s Pasta and Pizza
405-285-5991 • 17200 N May Ave #700
Moni’s started out small in 2014, but under the guidance of chef Rachel Foster, it has grown into one of OKC’s most loved Italian restaurants. Here you’ll find made-from-scratch Jersey-style pizza and a plethora of flavorful, classic pasta dishes. One to note is the tortellini rustica — a delicious blend of stuffed cheese tortellini, onions, Canadian bacon, mushrooms and artichoke hearts in a special house pink sauce.
Vito’s Ristorante
405-848-4867 • 7628 N May Ave.
Proprietor Cathy Cummings has long made this restaurant a friendly, comfortable place for guests to find delicious, authentic Italian dishes and be treated like family. Whether you choose the chicken carbonara or the Fat Tony’s special, you’re in for a treat. If you’re a fan of seafood don’t pass up Vito’s surf ‘n turf. This house special offers a tender beef tenderloin topped with blue cheese, marsala wine and veal stock with a three-shrimp scampi laid over cheese ravioli.
Frankie’s Italian Restaurant
405-849-6565 • 2724 W Britton Rd.
facebook.com/frankiesitalianrestaurant
Frankie’s is Italian comfort food at its finest. The menu boasts all the traditional Italian classics, each cooked just the way you like it in a casual and laid back family-oriented atmosphere. Start with calamari or baked bruschetta, then try the baked Tuscany, made with a homemade alla panna sauce with sauteed chicken, shrimp and spinach baked with mozzarella cheese.
Victoria’s Pasta Shop
405-759-3580 • 3000 SW 104th St.
At Victoria’s Pasta Shop, you’ll find an array of freshly-made Italian dishes that will leave your mouth watering in memory. Among their unique offerings you’ll find a dish you won’t find anywhere else — Victoria’s signature lasagna rolls are made with homemade lasagna noodles wrapped around fresh shrimp, spinach and yummy cheese, topped with homemade sauces to create a flavorful and filling meal.
Joey’s Pizzeria
405-525-8503 • 700 W Sheridan Ave.
joeyspizzeriaokc.com
Formerly a small-scale pizzeria, Joey’s has made their name as a downtown OKC staple with a full bar and a menu filled with delectable and distinctive dishes, some of their own design. For a hearty classic with a Joey’s twist, try the chicken parmesan made with their own parmesan herb seasoning and served on a bed of spaghetti with housemade red sauce, covered with melted mozzarella.
Piatto Italian Kitchen
405-608-8866 • 2920 NW 63rd St.
Piatto’s is all about fresh, authentic and flavorful Italian cuisine. Everything on the menu is delicious, but there are a few that especially stand out. Order the roasted gnocchi or the beef carpaccio for starters. For pasta, the pork sugo, pork ragu and homemade rigatoni pasta with pecorino romano. For something unique, the octopus and bone marrow, which is braised octopus in tomato sauce with homemade casarecce pasta and topped with bread crumbs.
This article appears in Haunted House Party.