Best of Boston

2013 Best Italian Restaurant

Erbaluce

Drawing on his Piedmontese heritage, Charles Draghi turns out elegant northern Italian-inspired fare with a delicate touch—homemade pappardelle with cubed beets and speck; butternut-squash broth with spicy shrimp; and wild boar with a Concord-grape mosto, all designed to pair with the restaurant’s Italian wine list. A one-time contestant on the Food Network show Sweet Genius, the chef also excels at after-dinner treats—we’re partial to his mascarpone-stuffed pear enrobed in caramel.

69 Church St., Boston, 617-426-6969, erbaluce-boston.com