Roughly translated from Italian, tre scalini means "three steps." It's a name that fits this beloved Italian restaurant, since enjoying it to the fullest is a three-step process. We've outlined that experience below:

Step 1: Look around

Lit by chandeliers, the trattoria's dining rooms are all crisp white tablecloths, romantic ambiance, and cozy furnishings. (For a bird's-eye view of the scene, look down on it from a raised, almost balcony-like grouping of tables.) Those who prefer to dine alfresco in the warmer months can head to an outdoor patio that's surrounded by greenery.

Step 2: Order wine

Tre Scalini won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence every year from 1990 to 2013, and a quick look at the wine list will explain why: you can order 17 wines by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle. What's more, each bottle hails from Tre Scalini's vast wine cellar, home to thousands of vintages and several famous recluses.

Step 3: Eat, of course

The chefs here whip up sumptuous northern Italian cuisine. Dinners range from polenta-encrusted red snapper and gnocchi tossed in pomodoro sauce to filet mignon topped with crab and gorgonzola sauce and breaded chicken stuffed with eggplant and mozzarella. The desserts are as rich as the entrees: tiramisu, white-chocolate mousse, and apple-cinnamon tarts await after plates are cleared.