(May 2008)

By Warren Rojas

Sate your need for starch with a double helping of potato goodness, beginning with a Cristoforo Colombo pie ($11.95) neatly dressed with turkey, thinly sliced potatoes and a liberal sprinkling of gorgonzola, and ending with gnocchi Romagnola (12.95), an ample serving of tender potato dumplings bolstered by a light tomato cream sauce, mushrooms and a scattering of pine nuts.

(June/July 2007)

By Warren Rojas

If all pizza tastes the same to you, broaden your horizons with the trailblazing Cristoforo Colombo pie-a symphony of lean turkey, razor-thin potato slices and blue-green bubbles of melted Gorgonzola (the fragrant cheese is absolutely breathtaking).

(May 2006)

By Warren Rojas

Italian-born Riccardo Bellucci and Giuseppe (Joe) Ricciardi have spent over a decade living the "sweet life" in Fairfax, during which their restaurant, Dolce Vita, has thrived as a popular destination for homemade Italian favorites. The festive locale boasts daily lunch specials that include assorted sandwich ($5.95 with a drink), 10-inch pizza ($6.95 with a drink) and pasta ($7.95 to $9.95, with salad and a drink) deals. Meanwhile, pasta dinners and gourmet pizzas can be had for under $15 just about any time.

The tortellini alla panna ($12.50) brings ground veal in a lush cream sauce (sauce is silky smooth, the veal-stuffed noodles solid). The fettuccine Botticelli ($12.95) is as pretty as a picture, bearing thin egg noodles layered with grilled chicken, pert peas and a light cream sauce. The adventurous Cristoforo Colombo pizza ($11.95) is amazingly thin-the crust is just sturdy enough to hold the toppings, but still razor thin-but delicious, housing a blend of gorgonzola, coin-sized potato slices and shaved turkey that takes your breath away (literally-the Gorgonzola is fantastically strong).

And on weekends, patrons are treated to the musical stylings of a charismatic guitarist-singer who flows from Italian to Spanish to contemporary pop with absolute ease.