Pasta carbonara. Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella. Caprese salad. Risotto. Gelato. Tiramisu. Not to mention, wine. "The Italians do it right. For them, food is a lifestyle," KCUR food critic Mary Bloch says. Most of us won't be traveling to Naples anytime soon.

But a trip to the right place in the Kansas City region can give us a taste of what it might be like. Whether you're looking for an afternoon small plate or a full-on Italian feast, here are the restaurants our food critics recommend trying out this summer while the tomatoes and basil are particularly fresh.