il vecchio
110 Central Ave., Pacific Grove
324-4282, www.ilvecchiorestaurant.com
“Traditional Italian cooking” is a term that is often thrown around loosely when it comes to Italian restaurants. However, il vecchio is one Italian joint that embodies the phrase. Owner and creator Carl Alasko lived in Rome for 11 years then promptly re-created the adventure with an eclectic interior, killer wine list (with many Italian and California vintages) and a crafted menu that will trick your tastebuds into thinking that you have ended up in a crowded trattoria back in the Old World. Il vecchio has also experimented with different special events and fixed menus such as their Monday-Friday workers lunch ($10.85), which includes a salad and two large portions of the choice dishes of the day. Reasonably priced, authentic, Italian.