Catherine Lombardi Restaurant   

Following its current renovation, Lombardi's promises airy views, over-the-top ambience, and big Italian food. An array of different seating options -- from spare, square tables in the corner to big round affairs -- and quality stone and wood work, complete the country-house feel of the interior. The big draw here is the open plates and crockery of antipasto: fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, peppers, and olives. They also do the expected starters (calamari, clams, scampi, soups), entrees of pasta with red sauce or chicken and eggplant parms, but these are just table-setters for the big boys: sausage-stuffed steak, veal chops with pancetta and crimini mushrooms, osso buco, and roasted cod. Sides of polenta or two kinds of meatballs can't be overlooked, either. It's serious food, in a happy sort of place.