Patrizio Restaurant   

Terrazzo floors, pink marble-topped tables, Oriental rugs, paintings by the masters hung casually on the walls -- if you weren't greeted by a pretty blonde with a Texas drawl, you might think you'd been whisked off to Italy. That's precisely the idea behind Patrizio. The garden terrace strives to block out the big-city feel (and parking-lot view) with a gurgling fountain, lush trees and an ivy-covered, iron gate. The restaurant's address is an indication of the kind of people you'll find at Patrizio. Shoppers spill in after a hard day at Chanel and Prada; Park Cities residents stop by for a long lunch or quick dinner. Management says 85 percent of customers are regulars, attracted by quality food and prices even a miser would love. The menu is mainstream, with nothing so fancy as to intimidate. Spaghetti, ravioli, ziti and lasagna are all safe, but flavorful -- sort of like the bar traffic. -- Allison Hatfield