Italian Food

[initaly]

Is the food in Italy anything like the so-called "Italian food" in the United States? What are the similarities and differences?

[mazco]

Its a dam sight better in Italy. The "Italian" food you get in the USA is localised to American tastes i.e. deep pan pizza, stuff crust, etc. It is also served properly cooked and well prepared.

[Polyglot]

I'm not sure where in the US you may live but in the bigger US cities (New York, Chicago, Boston, LA) you might find some more 'authenitc' Italian restaurants and generally the food is quite good, but on the whole, mazco is right, often dishes are localised to suit American/British tastes.
Having said that, it is important to know that Italians are extremely food proud (and rightly so) and there are some definte no-no's when it comes to gastronomy- for example having a cappuccino with your dinner or asking for parmiggiano cheese when eating pasta with seafood. It's just not done! There is a logic to this and perhaps one reason why eating a Mediterranean diet is healthy. Again, I suggest you find some information on this at your local bookstore or online. Also, the food is so much more healthy and proportioned than what you might find in the US. Italian food is also divided regionally and what may be typical in the region of Puglia (Apulia) is quite different than in Lombardy or in Veneto. So, become familair with local dishes. Also in restaurants, you will find that in Italy, like in France, the menu is divided in 4 or 5 parts- Antipasto (appiteizers), Primo ( First dish-which is pasta or rice based), Secondo (Second dish- meats and/or fish), contorni (side dishes- salads, vegetables etc.), Dolci (desserts). Very rarely will you find something where you will can order a meat or pasta dish that comes with the side dish- If you do come across it in a menu, this is known as a "piatto unico". So, in other words most menus here are a la' carte.
Food and wine here is a way of life and is taken very seriously. Italians can centre an entire evening long conversation on it, so if you aren't familair with the gastronomy now,you will sooner or later. But do read up and maybe even browse in a good cookbook to get some ideas.

[SGIARC]

I am (and have been for about 25 years), in the restaurant and culinary fields in the USA. With very few exceptions, the food in the US is almost always tweaked or localised to meet the tastes and expectations of a less sophisticated palate (at least in terms of true Italian food). My line of business has led me to sit and design some signature menus for small Italian restaurants and pizzerias. In each and every case we make the establishments more unique than local competition by returning to our roots in Italy and replicating some amazining dishes. In my honest opinion, the agricultural products in Italy are much more robust in terms of flavor and abundance. In fact, there are some items which aren't even available in the US due to the climate and production environments. If you want to sample a true revelation in flavors (with simple and healthy dishes), visit the Southern regions of Italy. Visit Puglia. Your palate will love you for it. It has affected mine so much that I am going to be creating a cooking school in the area.

[simo]

Hi, yes most of the time food is adapted to local taste, you'll love the food in italy, not so much cream or garlic as you find abroad, food is much tastier so no need for all those extras, much simpler healthier and tastier!!! God I miss it so much!!!! enjoy it
simona