Jonathan Bagnato is humble about the bustling Italian restaurant he’s helped to create in the heart of West View. “We’re just a couple of guys from the North Side,” he’ll tell you, with a shrug and a smile.

But spend much time at Severina Restaurant and Bar, owned and operated by the Bagnato family, and you’ll realize it’s not “just” anything. It’s a place where food and community coalesce, giving its patrons not only high-quality Italian meals but also an immersion in Italian culture that will make you forget you’re in Pittsburgh.