"Laveen may not be a restaurant hotspot, but its deep farming roots make it a natural fit for a restaurant like Mimi’s Forno Italiano, which sources produce from its own nearby Cavallo Vineyard. Open since 2018, this neighborhood trattoria sticks to Southern Italian staples, with owner Domenico Cavallo pulling from family recipes rooted in Salerno. The menu delivers well-executed classics, from pappardelle alla bolognese to rigatoni with sausage and ricotta, plus wood-fired pizzas topped with imported cheeses and cured meats. The antipasti lineup doesn’t miss — crisp arancini stuffed with mozzarella and meat sauce, light and tender calamari, and housemade meatballs that are an easy standout. And for dessert, the blueberry cheesecake, with fresh berries blended right into the batter for a naturally deep purple hue, is a must." - Mcconnell Quinn, Nikki Buchanan
