In honor of Italy’s upcoming Festa della Repubblica (June 2), we did a roundup of some favorite local ristorantes.

Right in the heart of Bedford Village, Ristorante Lucia strives to showcase the excellence of both the Italian Frosinone region as well as the rest of the country. The chefs look daily for the highest quality and freshest ingredients and endeavor to make any dish the way a customer likes it. Lucia’s wine cellar is stocked with bottles of high-quality, small-production, family wineries, and all are offered below standard restaurant prices. In addition to pizza and take-out menus, Lucia provides a full dinner menu that ranges from traditional Sicilian arancini, calamari, soups, and salads to vegetable sides, pasta, and delicious entrees. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week. Dining al fresco on the terrace, pictured right, is a treat.

Nino’s Restaurant, owned by Nino and Christine Camaj, is cozy, elegant and offers both an extensive wine list and homemade Northern Italian cuisine. Located near the Bedford Hills train station, take-out and brick oven pizzas are available for commuters in a hurry. For those not in such a rush, Nino’s bar is a comfortable spot for a leisurely cocktail. Lunch and dinner are served Monday through Saturday. The menu kicks off with appetizers such as Clams Areganta and Maryland Crab Cakes and then moves into soups, salads, pasta, pizza, and traditional hot, Italian entrees.

Katonah is home to two great Italian eateries. The Blue Dolphin, left, offers upscale cuisine from Capri and the Amalfi Coast, including both traditional favorites and original recipes, in a casual atmosphere. Soups, salads, seafood, and pasta are all deliciously prepared and affordably priced. Located in the heart of Katonah, the restaurant is known for its signature dishes like Linguine Pescatore, Spaghetti Vongole, Capellini Pozzuoli, and Ziti al Fresco, and is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a cocktail and dinner on the patio in season.

For over twenty years, Peppino’s has operated as a family-owned, neighborhood eatery, housed in Katonah's historic landmark train station. The staff serves up classic Italian dishes for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Offering creative daily specials and Bronx-style pizza, Peppino’s is known for its excellent wine list and generous-sized portions. Customer favorites include Zuppa di Pesce, Veal Sorrentino, Chicken Scarpariello, and Tilapia Marrechiare. Patio seating is available when weather permits.

Serving up authentic Italian creations for more than forty years in Pound Ridge, DiNardo's incorporates the best and freshest seasonal produce, Italian cheeses, meat, game, and seafood, accented with fine Italian olive oils and ingredients. Start with Gamberoni Imperiali or Popette Di Pollo from the antipasti menu or a cup of soup or a salad. Generous servings of pasta, pizza, beef, chicken, veal, and fish will leave you more than satisfied, especially when accompanied by a glass or bottle of wine from DiNardo’s extensive collection. Recent weekly specials have included Risotto alla Monfortina, Fegatini di Pollo al Marsala, Trippa alla Marinara, and Costicine D’Agnello alla Molisana.

Buon appetito!