The Salt River Valley is a country, an ocean, and a sea away from Italy. The arid climate feels so different from mountains and coasts, which run down the length of the Mediterranean's boot-shaped country. But the pungent aromas of basil and garlic float in the air here, too. Some of metro Phoenix's choice Italian restaurants collapse that distance, giving you a dolce vitastate of mind by way of pizza, pasta, and drinks. Here are four eateries to look up today for a bomb Italian meal.

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante (19420 North 59th Avenue, Glendale)
Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante, which debuted last spring in Glendale, has a sprawling menu that offers a robust selection of fresh-made pasta dishes along with wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. All the pasta is made in-house, and the selection veers toward classic northern Italian standards like tagliatelle Bolognese and tortellini in light cream sauce.