In a way, Giovanni's Ristorante is a hidden prize, disguised in its non-descript shell amid the businesses and strip malls of its surroundings. Yes, the Italian restaurant has been around since 1976. And yes, it comes to mind often when Clevelanders talk about the region's best Italian restaurants. But it can slip under the radar.

First, with a resurgence in many areas, new restaurants - many of them worthy of attention - beckon diners to try out their offerings. And Giovanni's is a cover unto itself: Its white modular building at the busy intersection of Chagrin Boulevard and Richmond Road looks more like an office complex for dentists and insurance offices, not a restaurant. In the hustle and bustle of Beachwood, it's fairly easy to miss.