The Top 10 Best Places for Pasta

American chefs are making the iconic Italian staple their own, expertly pairing authentic handmade pastas like garganelli and strozzapreti with delicious sauces—some classic, some totally new. At these terrific spots across the country, the pasta is always perfect.

          

• Quince Restaurant
  San Francisco
  Chef Michael Tusk takes Bay Area signatures (wild nettles, Dungeness crab, Meyer lemon) and weaves them into light pastas, such as tagliatelle with morel mushroom and celeriac foam. 470 Pacific Avenue; 415-775-8500; quincerestaurant.com
• Komi
  Washington, D.C.
  The tasting menu at arguably the best restaurant in the District always includes a selection of beautiful pastas. Our top choice? Chef Johnny Monis's spaghetti with crab and sea urchin. 1509 17th Street NW; 202-332-9200; komirestaurant.com
• Cibo Matto
  Chicago
  Don't miss the caramelli, a Tootsie-Roll-shaped pasta, stuffed with butternut squash and tossed with sage, amaretti crumbs, and brown butter sauce at this fine-dining Italian restaurant in the Loop. 201 North State Street; 312-239-9500; cibomatto.therestaurantsatthewit.com
• a Mano
  New Orleans
  The name of this Arts District newcomer means "by hand" in Italian—which is how the pici alla boscaiola (irregular shaped spaghetti-like Tuscan pasta with a mushroom cream sauce) and gnocchi with oxtail ragù are made. 870 Tchoupitoulas Street; 504-208-9280; amanonola.com
• Sportello
  Boston
  At chef Barbara Lynch's casual counter spot in the Fort Point neighborhood, the strozzapreti with braised rabbit, picholine olives, and rosemary is transcendent. 348 Congress Street; 617-737-1234; sportelloboston.com
• B&B Ristorante
  Las Vegas
  Owned by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, this restaurant dishes up signature pastas like beef cheek ravioli, as well as a seven-course pasta tasting menu that may include penne alla carbonara with lamb pancetta. The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 702- 266-9977; bandbristorante.com
• i Sodi
  New York
  This West Village gem run by Florence-born Rita Sodi features a seasonal menu that always has a few excellent pastas. If you're lucky, one option will be the lasagna with carciofi (artichokes). 105 Christopher Street; 212-414-5774; isodinyc.com
• Amis
  Philadelphia
  First came Vetri, then Osteria, and now this affordable trattoria from chef Marc Vetri. Simple Roman-style pastas—tonnarelli cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper), bucatini alla gricia (pork belly, chili flakes, and pecorino)—are favorites. 412 South 13th Street; 215-732-2647; amisphilly.com
• il Sogno Osteria
  San Antonio
  Andrew Weissman, who also owns seafood-centric The Sandbar, makes most of his pasta in-house, including the conchiglie that's served with ham, peas, wild mushrooms, and cream. 200 East Grayson Street; 210-223-3900; pearlbrewery.com
• Spinasse
  Seattle
  Eating at the wood-topped bar with a view of the kitchen and sharing family-style hand-cut egg pasta with butter and sage at this Capitol Hill standout is about as close to Piedmont, Italy, as you'll get without a passport. 1531 14th Avenue; 206-251-7673; spinasse.com
  
  
  http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2010/11/top_10_places_for_pasta