Parmesan, focaccia, prosciutto are iconoclastically Italian. A country so defined by its culinary traditions that perhaps it could be considered its single most important export... even above fashion. However, it is a misunderstood cuisine. It is a cuisine in which technique plays a large role. The popular bowl of olive oil accompanying a basket of pan rustico and pencil thin breadsticks, does not an Italian restaurant make. Claudia Mahedy shares with us the fabulous and the disastrous among Bogotá's italian eateries. For the complete review check out the printed version of this month's The City Paper.

LUNA Luna is a stalwart in Bogota’s Italian restaurant scene, serving Italian food to Bogotanos for almost a decade. Don’t miss the fettucini al tre funghi, served in a decadent cream sauce ideal for sweeping with a crusty piece of bread, but please don’t let an orthodox Italian see you, or you will be shown the door! In short, Luna is a pure delight. For an Italian eatery, it stands above the rest. Calle 83 No. 12-20

EMILIA ROMAGNA Emiglia Romagna gets it right when it comes to transporting its guests to a quaint trattoria in the Italian countryside. Expectations were high on approaching Emilia Romagna: so much has been written about the place, that I was expecting much more. While the spaghetti a la Amatriciana (arguably more Roman), tufts of pasta enveloped with pancetta and tomato, was indeed a stand out, the beef cheek ravioli were a disappointment. The Italian classic pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, unfortunately, was no better. In the end, Emilia Romagna lends itself more to sharing a glass of wine in its cozy anteroom stacked with wine bottles and unimposing fireplace or for an aperitif in the terrace outside. Calle 69A No. 5-32

DI LUCCA Whether celebrating an anniversary or out to relax with friends, this reasonably-priced Italian is a good choice in the zona Rosa. Despite the luke-warm service, the long, warm, striped-gold banquette reminiscent of the palio victory flags, often raised in the Italian hill town of Lucca, set the mood. tasty. Pastas seemed uniformly appealing though we settled on the Fettucini al Nero and the Agnolotti. Black squid ink pasta is a fabulous backdrop to an exquisitely prepared shrimp sauce, which this was. However, The lack-lustre veal chop served breaded with arugula and chopped tomato should be skipped. At Di Lucca, stick to the pastas. Cra. 13 No. 85-32

IL POMODORO Ever since it first opened its doors in Usaquén, Il Pomodoro continues to be somewhat of a legend when it comes to fine Italian dining in the city. It prides itself on fresh produce and all the pasta is made on the premises. Traditional in its approach, Il Pomodoro, also makes its own sauces and breads. A true delight in a city of boastful Italians. Calle 117 No. 6-09

Few can deny that the economic downturn is starting to wreak havoc in our lifestyle. So, if eating out is a pleasure not ready to be curbed, try Nazca, an upscale Peruvian in the heart of Rosales.

Ascend the wooden stairs into the glass-cubed bar. Enjoy a pisco cocktail on the cozy black leather sofas. Share a tapa or simply munch on the housemade chips and crispy corn kernels, choclo, before descending into the dining space below. Here, high fashion meets Peruvian cuisine. But at what cost? Nazca. Picking and choosing wisely around the menu gives satisfying results that won’t hurt your wallet.

The causas Quatro Estaciones ($30,000) are four distinct plates featuring shrimp, octopus, squid and chicken making it ideal for sampling.

A visit to this Peruvian is not complete without trying at least one ceviche or tiradito. For us it was the tiradito Entre Pisco y Nazca ($25,000). Red pepper juliennes nested atop grouper fillets and bathed in a fiery orange pisco sauce.

We also recommend the Tequeños: sautéed wontons stuffed with shrimp and cheese served with a cheese sauce ($18,000) or the The Chaufa Especial ($35,000). For fried rice it seems pricey, but well worth it.

At an average of $37,000 per person, it's really not bad for the chance to have a night out in Nazca, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Bogotá.

Calle 74 No. 5-28 || Tel.: 312-3459

For the complete review and more inside information on the secrets of Nazca, check out this month's printed version of The City Paper.