Paparazzi Restaurant   

1724 Wharton St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-0800

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With its mirrored walls and its bar with brass railings, Paparazzi creates a typical after-work hangout as well as a semi-classy Italian restaurant with an enticing aroma of baked bread. In the evening, you might find a group of musicians playing Italian favorites or light jazz in the corner by the front window; but for a particularly pleasant dining experience on a sunny day, it's best to sit in the outdoor cafe area on 21st St. with its beautiful mosaic tile tables and expansive, shady umbrellas, watching the traffic go by. The menu features almost any Italian specialty your heart could desire, from pasta and seafood to pizza (red and white) and calzone, ranging from $10-$20. Some enticing dishes include the chicken parmigiana, the stuffed shells marinara and the linguine pescatore (an oceanic delight with shrimp, crabmeat, scallops, calamari and clams). If you still have room, don't neglect the homemade desserts such as the cannoli and tiramisu, and of course, no meal is complete without a glass of Italian vino. Despite the name, your anonymity is secure: there are no annoying tabloid photographers here. -- Manny Theiner