Go to D'Amico's Place in Bloomfield. It's on Liberty Avenue. They have a great red clam sauce, and an equally great red mussel sauce. Their pasta is all homemade, and they have some really interesting specials (their chef used to work at Pasta Piatto). Every meal comes with salad and soup (also homemade). The atmosphere is basically Pittsburgh neighborhood bar - with a great Italian-American jukebox! The food is sort of peasant style, especially the non-special items. They also have fantastic desserts, including homemade ice cream. Try it out. Jay Cosentino PS Beware of the house Italian dressing - it is loaded with raw garlic, and many people find it too strong (others, of course, love it). I recommend oil and vinegar with crumbled dry gorgonzola instead.
Pittsburgh, PA