Italian for dinner tonight?

Taking my mother-in-law to dinner tonight, and she wants Italian (lasagna, spaghetti, etc.). I was thinking Silvio's, BLU, or Bella Roma in New Albany, but haven't been to any of them. What would you guys recommend? I can't think of the last great Italian meal I had out ....

I haven't been to Bella Roma but I can comment on the other 2. They both have very good food but are very different. Blu is quite formal and the dishes are fancied up a little bit and of course the prices follow. Silvio's on the other hand is more down-home Italian cooking in a much more comfortable and homey atmosphere and the prices are also lower. The dishes are much more traditional and what you think of as Italian.

The choice between the 2 basically comes down to what you're looking for. Personally, if we were going out to dinner tonight for Italian we would go to Silvio's.

Another choice I don't know if you considered or not is DiFabio’s on Frankfort Avenue. It's another family run business that IMO kind of falls between the other 2 and actually it would probably by choice overall.

[Robin Garr]

Silvio's being the reborn Melillo's, I don't see how you could go wrong! Of course, for the kind of Italian she's looking for there is also DiFabio's Casapela on Frankfort, which is a little more pricey but very nice.

We had another great meal at DiFabios last night. I would never call it pricey, but I've not been to Silvios.

This is super-helpful, gang! Thanks very much. We did DiFabio's a while back and liked it, but I think Silvio's will win for the new-experience factor. Will report back after.

Turns out Silvio's was booked until 8:30 PM, which was a no-go for us. Luckily Cafe Lou Lou brought their A-game. Mother-in-law lover her lasagna and my scallop special was delectable! Very capable wine advice brought the experience up a level, as did stellar desserts.