How to Have Authentic Italian Food at Any Venue
Authentic. Sometimes it seems like the words are synonymous. However, when you're actually dining in a restaurant, authentic means something entirely different than when you're reading about it. The words mean a whole lot more to diners than they do to the people who write about them.
Authentic is a word that connotes great taste and genuine hospitality. It's also commonly used to describe fine wines, and nothing beats a good bottle of wine to give you a boost during a tough economy. It's hard to find genuine hospitality in today's economy. And since the restaurant industry is often considered one of the last safe jobs, salaries are low and the job outlook poor.
For this reason, many chefs and cooks have gone out of their way to create dishes that are closer to home, creating a sense of family and community. Many cooks are proud to serve their hometown cuisine. This includes foods such as Greek and Italian foods, Mexican food, and Middle Eastern fare. Some diners want to be able to taste this type of food, but are still quite unsure about the quality. There are some things that you can do to ensure you get the quality and authentic experience you're looking for. Read on for some tips on doing just that.
First, make sure that the restaurant where you dine regularly offers authentic cuisine. If the location is a hole in the wall or if the owner isn't as concerned about the quality of his food as he should be, then you'll get a taste of what authentic gourmet cuisine means. It's disappointing to go to a restaurant that serves subpar food just because the owner doesn't care about his customers.
Another important factor is how the dish is prepared. Many people assume that authentic Italian dishes are all spaghetti and meatballs. While this is certainly the most common presentation of an authentic Italian dish, other presentations are far more appealing. For example, Chinese restaurants can make a very delicious stir-fry, while Indian buffets can bring the flavors of various curries together with table-style naan bread. Make sure to ask what is being served so that you know whether it will be a quality representation of authentic Italian fare.
One thing that's frequently missing from authentic Italian restaurants is the wine selection. If the wine selection is poor, then the dish may as well not even be authentic. In fact, many people prefer Italian food to wine, so any bad wine would ruin what could otherwise be a wonderful dining experience. However, some Italian chefs do use bad wines in their dishes to make them appear more authentic. Make sure to ask about the wine being used, and make sure that it is truly Italian.
You also want to make sure that your server knows what he or she is serving. Not every restaurant is known for its culinary prowess. Many of the newer chains don't have a lot of experience in making authentic dishes, so chances are good that you won't really get a true sense of the flavors involved. If you have a high quality experience, however, you can be assured that the ingredients and the preparation were done with love and care.
Finally, be prepared to pay a bit extra for authentic Italian food. Since most Italian restaurants are pricey, this can add up to a decent expense. On the other hand, if you're willing to pay a bit extra for good food, you are getting a quality meal. By paying a little extra, you can feel good about paying a bit extra to enjoy authentic Italian food. After all, you want to enjoy authentic Italian food with authentic Italian wine.
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