Guiseppe's

Tucked away in a shopping center on Oracle Road, Guiseppe's in Tucson may not be the easiest Italian restaurant to find. But that's where the phrase "hidden gem" comes into play. The family-owned restaurant has an extensive menu of classic Italian antipasti and pasta dishes. There is a steady, knowing hand at work in the kitchen, because the food tastes comforting, authentic and just plain delicious. Go for the bruschetta for starters. For an entree, you can't really go wrong with the chicken alfredo or penne sausage. The service is reliable, and the small dining room is nearly always full. It goes to show that you don't always need a perfect location to draw a crowd. For dessert, opt for the spumoni, which doesn't disappoint.