What makes a good Italian restaurant? For starters, the craftsmanship has to be both classic and creative. The service must be impeccable. But really, the Daily Meal says, it's the overall experience that leaves customers happy. The website ranked the 50 best Italian restaurants in the U.S., among them, Razza in Jersey City.

The Grove Street restaurant opened in 2012 by Dan Richer, a semifinalist for the James Beard Rising Star Award. Razza quickly rose to fame -- with help last year from New York Times critic Pete Wells. "Not only has Richer perfected his crust — it’s crisp from end to end and its inside is soft with a complex flavor — he’s also meticulous about his toppings, which he sources