Graffiato Is Best Italian Restaurant In Virginia: Ranking

RICHMOND, VA — For discerning diners who turn up their noses when they hear someone talk about going out for “eye-talian” food, The Daily Meal has come up with a definitive list of the best Italian restaurants in every state. In Richmond, diners can enjoy "Top Chef "star Mike Isabella's new location of his popular D.C. Italian spot Graffiato.

Italy’s rich cuisine culture goes back centuries and includes pastas, breads and food preparation techniques that vary by regions, reflecting cultural traditions that evolved based on the availability of local foods.

For example, Tuscany is known as the land of bean eaters, so you’ll find lots of foods rich in cannellini beans in the region’s famous cuisine. Polenta is big in Milan; chefs in Rome find delicious ways to serve pasta, bruschetta, artichokes and zucchini; and on the island of Sicily, look for the region’s famous meatballs — called polpette — topped with a spicy, aromatic tomato sauce.

The Daily Meal’s list of the best Italian restaurants features chef-inspired creations that bring many of these traditions to the United States. To assemble the list, The Daily Meal looked at various “best of” lists, reviews from local publications across the country, and also restaurants that have huge local followings. Big chains weren’t considered.

And if you’re just thinking about spaghetti — not that there aren’t some scrumptious-looking spaghetti dishes among the food site’s picks — you need to get out a lot more.

Here is more information about Graffiato:

Why The Daily Meal loves Graffiato: The wood-burning oven is the centerpiece, with some amazing pizzas (including a must-order with black truffle, fontina, and soft-cooked egg) emerging from it, as well as seasonal vegetable dishes like carrots with cumin, salsa verde, and hazelnuts. The menu focuses on seasonal small plates, vegetables, pizzas, and pastas. Add in a variety of both classic and creative cocktails, and a trip to Graffiato is destined to be a fun (and tasty) time. Read more.

Where to find it: 123 W Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220

Phone numbers: (804) 918-9454

Hours: Monday through Thursday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Website: graffiatorva.com

Tell Us: Do you agree? Where do you go when you want scrumptious, authentic Italian food in Arizona? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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