"Think about some of the classic Italian-American dishes - chicken parm, pasta with vodka sauce, cannoli sprinkled in the lightest dusting of powder sugar - and you’ll probably find a fancied-up version of it on Scopa’s menu. The popular Italian restaurant in Venice has taken over their side parking lot to create an outdoor dining space that includes socially-distant tables, astroturf, umbrellas, and plenty of foliage. Reservations can be made here." - kat hong
"Scopa Italian Roots, the Venice party spot, is offering a huge selection of their menu - plus cocktails and wine - for takeout. That means their incredible rice balls, along with pastas like cavatelli with Italian sausage, pappardelle with braised pork shank, and more. As far as cocktails go, we recommend going all-in on the Sierra Norte - mezcal, Aperol, and pineapple. They’ve also got grocery essentials, if you’re looking for those, too. Pick-up and app delivery available." - brett keating
"There’s likely a scientific study somewhere about how Italian restaurants make for good date spots, and the restaurant that illustrates that study is probably Scopa. On Washington Blvd. in Venice, Scopa is dark and romantic, with a big bar for pre-dinner drinks, shareable Italian food, and a hidden cocktail bar in the back if neither of you is ready to go home yet. It’s not quite as sceney as it was when it first opened, so you won’t be battling a five-person crew just to get a cocktail that looks like an Italian flag snowcone." - jess basser sanders
"When Scopa Italian Roots opened, it was one of those always-wild Venice party restaurants. It’s not quite as busy as it used to be, but we dig the toned down version, too. The menu hasn’t changed much since 2013, and it’s still the kind of excellent Italian food you’ll brave dealing with the parking in Venice for. The lasagna here is going to make you immediately forget you ever swore that frozen grocery store lasagna is “just as good as the real thing.”" - brett keating
"The popular Italian restaurant in Venice has taken over their side parking lot to create a brand new outdoor dining space that includes socially distant tables, astroturf, umbrellas, and plenty of foliage. Make a reservation here." - brett keating, james montgomery