Good food will always be one of the best joys in life. And undoubtedly, Italian cuisine is one of the best in the world. Its eclectic mix of fresh ingredients, passion, and art makes it the perfect choice for a meal, anytime, anywhere!
Since Italian dishes are served in all parts of the world, the original Italian way food preparation and cooking has been translated into dozens of variations. Unless you’re in Italy, it’s tricky to know if an Italian restaurant is indeed authentic.
In this post, we will give you some important tips to spot an authentic Italian restaurant.
Check the Menu Thoroughly
Fortunately, most Italian restaurants have their menu displayed on their website. Make sure to check their menu to see what kind of Italian food they serve. It will give you an idea of whether or not they are an authentic Italian restaurant.
Look for these signature authentic Italian dishes on the menu.
- Pizza Napoletana
- Risotto
- Focaccia
- Polenta
- Ravioli
- Fiorentina
- Tortellini
- Agnolotti
If you can’t find any of these on their menu, then proceed to another website.
Read Customer Reviews
There’s no need to make things difficult. Just go straight and browse review sites on Italian restaurants to see if they truly are serving authentic Italian dishes. Find out customers’ experiences with the Italian restaurant you’re planning to visit. Check blogs and websites for recommendations from food critiques and food bloggers. Be sure though that it’s not a sponsored review so you’ll get an unbiased opinion on their experience.
When reading reviews, make sure to base your decision on customer experience. Most authentic Italian restaurants boast fresh ingredients, so look for this on the review too.
Check the Prices
Because of its intricate preparation using top-quality ingredients, authentic Italian dishes aren’t cheap. You can’t find a $5 food item on an authentic Italian restaurant’s menu.
Most authentic Italian restaurants have been rated for their quality. So, you’ll most likely be paying a considerable amount to treat yourself to quality Italian food.
There are hole-in-the-walls and pop-up restaurants that offer affordable Italian food though. These hidden gems are usually located in alleyways and other unfamiliar places. For most authentic Italian restaurants, they offer a fine dining experience.
Pasta Choices
Unlike Japanese noodles, Italian pasta or noodles have different variations and shapes. Aside from the typical spaghetti pasta, there are a lot of noodles of different shapes and sizes, each has its appropriate recipes.
Here are the different types of Italian noodles that you must look for:
- Bigoli
- Strozzapreti
- Trofie
- Penne
- Fettuccine
- Macaroni
- Tortiglione
- Cannelloni
- Trenette
- Lumache
There are more than that, but these Italian noodles are the most commonly used by authentic Italian restaurants. If the restaurant you’re visiting only serves one or two types of noodles, then it’s not authentic at all.
Italian Chef & Crew
Nothing is more authentic in an Italian restaurant than the people who work there. Authentic Italian restaurants are proud to present their Chef de cuisine or the executive chef as proof that they are legitimate. It’s important to consider this tip because homegrown Italian chefs rarely go out of Italy. So, if there’s a chef’s profile or background on their website, most likely the restaurant you’re staring at right now is authentic. Check the crew if there are several homegrown Italians that serve you.
Ingredients Imported from Italy
Italian food ingredients are easy to find in supermarkets. But authentic Italian restaurants only use those that are made from their homeland. This means that they only use Italian brands and ingredients that are imported directly from Italy. This is because they don’t want to compromise the quality and taste of their dishes, so they have to be as authentic as possible. You can ask the crew what brands they use for their sauce, cheese, and pasta. If the brand name is quite unfamiliar, then it’s probably imported.
Italy-made ingredients usually come from centuries-old companies that produce the same high-quality ingredients. These are devotedly used by Italians to preserve tradition and their love of food.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with eating in a restaurant that serves Italian food Apopka but isn’t authentic. However, there’s a huge difference in flavor and quality. You just made your life easier with the tips we provided, so good luck on your food journey!
At Caffe Positano, we only serve authentic Italian dishes made from the freshest ingredients. Get a taste of Chef Pasquale’s delectable menu, visit us now.
