LITTLE RIVER. This is definitely the most authentic Italian cuisine you'll find on the Strand. Winner of Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence." Extensive wine list and a menu featuring homemade pastas, fresh seafood, quail and steaks.

MYRTLE BEACH. Fine Italian cuisine served in an elegant yet relaxed environment. Very nice wine list, hearty portions, and a piano bar all contribute to making this a good choice. And don't forget their homemade desserts which are absolute masterpieces!

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH. Once a roadside tavern, this redbrick structure has been home to Tony's since 1953, and the Grand Strand has certainly thanked their lucky stars every year since that Tony Carnaggio decided to set up shop here. Still a family-run business, Tony's is the kind of place where nobody's a stranger, and it's cozy dark-stained walls seem to encourage folks to sit, chat, eat and drink 'til they've had their fill. House specialties include steak and lobster, mussels with marinara sauce, pasta with clam sauce, cheese ravioli and penne ala vodka.

BAREFOOT. Overlooking the lake at the Barefoot Landing shopping complex, this "Pittsburgh-Italian Trattoria" has a good number of folks who deem themselves "regulars." After one visit, it's easy to understand why. Comfortably decorated and imminently friendly, Umberto's is the kind of place that puts folks right at ease and lets them focus on the important things ... Namely good wine, conversation and traditional dishes like osso buco Milanese and veal chops.

MYRTLE BEACH. This elegant Italian restaurant introduced the area to authentic Roman cuisine (in fact, the kitchen staff is comprised of native Romans), and each dish certainly catches the flavor and tradition of the Old Country. For something unique, try the veal Absolute, which is served with fresh mushrooms and cream sauce. There are also a number of superbly done baked and seafood specialties ­ eggplant parmigiana and stuffed flounder alla primavera, respectively. All dinners include homemade stracciatella soup, tomato bruschetta, dipping sauce, fresh garden salad and homemade rolls, and each beef, poultry, seafood or veal main is served with a side of spaghetti.