Italia is the latest venture from Bob McMahon and Metro Restaurants. The eatery on Tanque Verde’s "restaurant row" was formerly City Grill, another one of Metro Restaurants’ concepts.

Those who know McMahon know he has talked for years of his desire to open an Italian food restaurant. Italia bills itself as country-style Italian.

I have dined at Italia on a couple of occasions. So far, I can’t say as I have found much negative about the place. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that might make a dining experience particularly memorable, I must say I haven’t come across that either.

The food and service at Italia are fine. While I’m not convinced the menu represents the most unique dishes Italy has to offer, I’m sure many Tucsonans will find several menu items that are different from other local Italian restaurants.

One example is the proscuitto, peperonata and poached eggs with salt-roasted potatoes. Another are the parmesan crusted lasagne bites. Both were perfectly good dishes but neither left me craving to order it on a repeat visit.

Service was cordial and attentive.

Everyone has her own or his own reason for for dining out. Often times it’s circumstantial. Italia might not be a destination restaurant to celebrate a special occasion but you’ll likely find it to be a good choice on a hot summer’s night when you don’t feel like heating up the house or breaking bugdet. In those instances, Italia is a fine choice.

Italia is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner every night.

• Italia, 6464 E. Tanque Verde Road – http://metrorestaurants.com/restaurants/italia-restaurant.htm – (520) 733-1111.

Westward Look’s West moving farther West

Jamie West, executive chef at the Westward Look Resort, is moving on. West has accepted a position at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in California where he will oversee the kitchen at the five-diamond rated resort.

Born and raised in Tucson, West has held prestigious positions at various California resorts and spas. West’s move to Ojai ends a 3½-year run at Westward Look.

West is not only a talented chef, but he is a class act.

Westward Look Resort is in the process of hiring a replacement and expects to announce a new executive chef within a few months.