I admit it: I am enthusiastic about family-run restaurants of any kind, but Italian restaurants most of all. This preference on my part comes from my upbringing north of the Mason-Dixon Line, and my experiences dining with my family at our favorite neighborhood restaurant.

While most Italian restaurants these days seem to offer variations of a “canned” serving of atmosphere, food and service, few, a very few can be found who are still doing it “Old School.” One of the best is Matteo Torri’s “La Cucina Italian Kitchen.” La Cucina Italian Kitchen can be found on Tennessee Highway 67W, the road to or from Mountain City.