Also a bit late, but same reason:

If you like Italian food, Atwells Avenue is the heart of the Italian area (think Boston's North End, etc.). That's the place to go for it. Walk down the street and stop into any of the Italian restaurants that tempts you. (They all will, and you won't see any other kind.)

Nearer to Brown, a couple of blocks of Thayer St., is Rue de l'Espoir: a nice French bistro at 99 Hope St. (Pun intended - by them, not by me.)