I’ve come to the sad conclusion that Atlanta is sorely lacking geek-friendly (in this case, read “wifi enabled”) Italian restaurants. Or if they do, in fact, exist, they must be well-guarded secrets of the geek underground.

2+ hours of searching online found me the Cafe Intermezzo, which, while fantastic otherwise, only makes it’s wifi access available from 10am to 7pm(?!), and a little place called Artuzzi’s that’s either smack dab in the middle of the city or 20 miles outside the perimeter (or maybe both? the maps were a little indecisive). On top of this, my favorite Italian place (Brickhouse Pizza) has relocated, and won’t be open again until sometime later this month.

Granted, I also found a bunch of other restaurants to try out while I was looking around, but you know how the appetite is when you’re really craving something. A lonely plate of baked ziti was (is!) calling my name from somewhere in the distance. So instead my trusty Geek’s Guide sidekick (wave hi to Eddy everyone!) and I have ended up at a local Mellow Mushroom where there’s wifi a-plenty, but the closest you’ll get to Italian is a build-your-own calzone or some pizza. Any other time, I’d be content, but I’m pretty pizza’d out recently, and a soggy hoagie and funny-tasting honey mustard (a crime, says I!) just aren’t doin’ it for me.

Man, what I wouldn’t give for a pasta-and-hotspot combo right now; it’s apparently going to take more than a just couple hours of scouting around online to find. I know it’s out there somewhere. The world just wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t.