I've always gone for the guy with the great personality over the hottest guy in the room. This is what La Cucina Italiana reminds me of. They opened in the location that used to be home to Spokes. While it is not a gorgeous spot, and the food needs some work, the attention to detail and ability to please well make up for it.
We had a very new server (2nd day on the job) and he really couldn't explain anything on the menu. I order the Gnocci, and the accompanying sauce was nothing as he described and it was extremely overdone (like mush). When I brought it to his attention he apologized profusely and quickly brought me out a new dish, no questions asked. My second choice was the Pollo Picata and it was amazing. Chicken breasts glazed with a tangy lemon, butter, and caper sauce and served with creamy orzo and herbed oven roasted vegetables. My friend had the chicken parmesan and it was served over penne (weird) but also pretty good. They serve a decently priced wine list and a wonderful complimentary antipasto plate to kick off the meal.
He may not be gorgeous, but he tries hard enough to keep me around. 3 stars!