10 great places to discover Italy in America

— -- There'll be amore and more in Italian neighborhoods across the USA this Columbus Day weekend. Mario Batali, award-winning chef, TV personality and restaurateur (Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in New York), shares his favorite Little Italys.

Murray Hill

Cleveland

"Corbo's Bakery has the best cassata (cake) I have tried in the USA," Batali says. "Every August, the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated in Little Italy with a four-day party." Don't overlook the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, theater at Playhouse Square Center, Cleveland Orchestra and enough ethnic restaurants to eat your way around the globe without leaving town. littleitalycleveland.com

Little Italy

Manhattan

"Even though it no longer resembles its 19th-century heyday, there is still a great deal that is authentic here. On Grand Street, stop by Di Palo Fine Foods for a Ph.D. lesson in the various ages of Parmigiano Reggiano. Stroll down the street to Caffe Roma on Broome Street for the ultimate Italian pastry and a perfect caffè corretto, a shot of espresso with a shot of liquor, usually grappa, brandy or sambuca," Batali says. littleitalynyc.com

Federal Hill

Providence

"Stop by Scialo Brothers Bakery and then head to Venda Ravioli for a beautiful lunch with fresh pasta made every day from scratch, all served in a delightful little piazza with opera music blaring from tiny speakers in a Fellini-style setting," Batali says. Stay at the ultra-modern Hotel Dolce Villa on the same little piazza, then catch one of the season's final WaterFire events, spectacular bonfire displays on the river. goprovidence.com

North Beach

San Francisco

"Palermo Delicatessen has imported foods from Sicily and other regions of Italy. Folks line up for the Dungeness crab salad sandwich and toasted focaccia," Batali says. "Stella Pasticceria e Caffe, also in the neighborhood, was a favorite of Pavarotti. Have the prized sacripantina cake, a spongecake made with rum. Two other local favorites: Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store, which serves delicious meatball focaccia sandwiches, and Molinari Delicatessen, famous for its salami and other dried meats." sfnorthbeach.org