At this authentic Italian eatery, the Grisanti family serves up pastas and sauces in a variety of combinations. Crispy-crusted pizza appetizers delight, and large salads, topped with all sorts of goodies such as Gorgonzola and peppers, never offend. A good wine selection offers the perfect complement to your meal.

DOWNTOWN. A lush interior, hip crowd and contemporary art greet you at Cielo. Each dish is a unique work of art, such as the Napoleon made with wafers of crunchy provolone alternating with smoked eggplant, a winter vegetable puree and goat cheese, all decorated with sautéed spinach and shiitake mushrooms and drizzled with balsamic syrup and arugula oil. Each dish features creative style that you won't find just anywhere. The desserts are sure to please as well.

A Memphis standby for Italian dining, Grisanti's offers a large comfortable dining room and bar and a wide variety of dishes that range from traditional to exotic. In addition to pasta favorites such as lasagne, manicotti and spaghetti, their steak, veal and fish entrees give the menu high appeal. Diners seeking more innovative cuisine will want to try chicken lasagne with pesto and white cream sauce, Maine lobster ravioli or sea bass with marinara sauce, capers and Kalamata olives over fettuccini.

Marena's offers a host of international cuisine choices. The ever-changing menu always features dishes from one Middle Eastern country and one European country. You might also see Mediterranean, Greek or Moroccan dishes as well. The plain exterior is a world of difference from the elegant interior, which features stenciled walls with deep colors. Everyone from the Maitre d' to the servers to Marena herself will make you feel at home and well taken care of.

EAST MEMPHIS. Inside this cozy little bistro, you will find big and bold taste combinations. For dinner, start with the shrimp bisque, followed by Catfish Lafitte, a lightly breaded and fried filet topped with shrimp, julienne ham and a cayenne cream sauce. Or, order the salmon with wasabi glaze and tomato basil risotto. Top your meal off with dessert ­ perhaps the Buttermilk Pie with brown sugar sauce. Whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed.