• Mobile offers both independent and national chain Italian dining options.spaghetti image by Jakub Cejpek from Fotolia.com
  
  Mobile, the first capitol of French Louisiana, may not be known for its Italian heritage or cooking, but you can find a pleasing array of eateries to satisfy your pasta and pizza fix while you're visiting. From upscale Northern Italian cuisine to chain-owned, family style restaurants, you'll find something to fit all tastes and budgets.
  
  

Via Emilia

• Via Emilia serves cuisine from the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy, personally prepared by owner/chef Chatman Ellis. Appetizers, soups and salad start your lunch or dinner. Traditional Italian entrees like lasagna bolognese and veal picatta mingle with more unique selections like lobster fettuccine and lamb florentine. The menu changes daily at this cheery, unpretentious, family-style restaurant and is displayed on a large chalkboard. You can dine indoors or on the patio, next to a beautiful Koi pond. Via Emilia is closed on Sunday.
  
  Via Emilia
  5901 Old Shell Rd.
  Mobile, AL 36608
  (251)342-3677
  viaemiliamobile.com
  
  

La Pizzeria

• Everything at La Pizzeria is made fresh, from the cheeses and sauces to the soups and pizzas. The lunch menu at the casual eatery features appetizers, soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches. Located in the historic Leinkauf district, LA Pizzeria lets you create your own pasta combination (pick your noodle, veggie, protein and sauce), or you can try one of their dozen gourmet pizzas or calzones. The dinner menu features antipasti, soups and salads and calzones. Entrees, includes pastas, steak, chicken, veal and seafood items. The pasta Atchafalaya is a Louisiana twist on Italian cooking, combining shrimp, chicken, tasso and andouille sausage in a spicy red cream sauce. Desserts and wine round out the menu, at his hard-to-find eatery (out of towners, call for directions).
  
  La Pizzeria
  1455 1/2 Monroe Street
  Mobile, AL 36604
  (251) 473-5003
  lp219.com
  
  

Carrabba's Italian Grill

• If you're feeling a bit less adventurous, and want Italian food from a nationally known chain, you'll find Carrabba's Italian Grill, known for its family-style Italian restaurants. Carrabba's offers traditional antipasti, soups, salads, pastas, pizza and desserts, made using recipes from the founder's Sicilian mother and grandmothers. Carrabba's proffers large portions of chicken, veal, seafood and steak entrees in a casual setting. With an extensive wine selection and a children's menu, and you'll be able to satisfy the entire family at moderate prices.
  
  Carrabba's Italian Grill
  3917 Airport Blvd.
  Mobile, AL 36608
  (251) 342-3662
  carrabbas.com