Pizza in Italy--yuck!

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Originally posted by twinwillow

Don't tell me you can get a pizza like this in the US

You can in New Haven.

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Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

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Originally posted by twinwillow

Don't tell me you can get a pizza like this in the US

You can in New Haven.

With, fresh porcini mushrooms?

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Originally posted by twinwillow

Having just returned from the Tuscany area of Italy, I am attaching a photo of one of the very best pizzas I have ever had. Taken in a small restaurant in Montepulciano, It is a wood oven baked thin crust pizza loaded with FRESH PORCINI mushrooms and house made sausage. Don't tell me you can get a pizza like this in the US.[img][/img] #9;11/23/2007 #9;145

That pie looks like it was from Trattoria di Cagnano. Was it?

Are you kidding me BAD food in Italy?? I have to agree with everyone else you must be so used to over spiced and over salted food from American chains like Pizza Hut and Dominos just to mention a few. I am Italian and everything we make is from scratch and with love.

Hi,
I'll second that..being Italian...cooking isn't work..it's a passion. Pizza is more than "roadfood" If pizza were simply roadfood,then chain pizza is road kill. I repeat.eat Pizza Hut(great Italian name,isn't it) if you must...just don't call that sugar and salt dough "Pizza". Chain food pizza doesn't pass the test...no love in the baking...that's the secret ingredient neened in a good pie!
Lee

Bruce and Sue, I'll see if I can find my receipt and check the name of the restaurant. BTW, we also had an incredible gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts.

But where can you get that finger in the upper left corner of the frame... only in Italy, right?

J/K, I have a few of those myself!

I'm certain there is bad food in Italy, just like I'm certain that there is good food here. The difference is that in Italy bad food is shameful and hidden away, and here it is celebrated and eaten, and we need websites like this one to help us find the good food.

Twinwillow: very nice pic of the Italian pizza. Occasionaly you can find them around the USA like that.

Thanks for posting

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow

Bruce and Sue, I'll see if I can find my receipt and check the name of the restaurant. BTW, we also had an incredible gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts.

Sorry, the receipt for that meal was thrown away. In retrospect, I am very sorry now, that I can not report the name of the restaurant where we ate lunch that day.

If you live in Brooklyn, NY, the closest I know of to true Italian Pizza, Is Roma Bakery on Avenue U. You have to get there early, they only make a small amount, and it goes fast. This is as good as the pizza I have had in Sicily,(my parents are from Messina)

quote:

Originally posted by mcoge

If you live in Brooklyn, NY, the closest I know of to true Italian Pizza, Is Roma Bakery on Avenue U. You have to get there early, they only make a small amount, and it goes fast. This is as good as the pizza I have had in Sicily,(my parents are from Messina)

Plus, it's a lot cheaper to go to Brooklyn than Italy.
Thanks for the good tip.

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Originally posted by twinwillow

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Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

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Originally posted by twinwillow

Don't tell me you can get a pizza like this in the US

You can in New Haven.

With, fresh porcini mushrooms?

Sure. Why not. Heck, you can get one with fresh porcinis in Columbus, Ohio, although the rest of the pie won't be any good.

I miss pizza in Italy. Had it in Naples, in Rome, and in Florence; and it was totally different in each place. But all totally wonderful.

I agree,as I said in an earlier post,Italian pizza, as a rule is superb...a taste treat.
The lady who started this thread,is what annoys me about so many people....a few bad experiences...I think she mentioned two....and you judge a whole coun try's pizza. Oh come on...where's your common sense.Ya know the type..."I had country ham in the country..it was dry...then I had it again...it was too moist...oh those country people,don't know how to cook counrty ham. Eat only city ham!"
Offlady was a bit off....I've been to Italy many times...and like most places...some pizza wasn't to my taste...but as a whole,the pizza is superior to almost anything here...and believe me,my survey sample was very big,after all those trips...not two or three places.
leethebard

I was in Italy for 2 weeks-I loved the pizza-4 cheese/margarita/it was excellent-some better than other but what is to be expected.
I did get tired of eating prosicuto and melon before every meal.

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Originally posted by mikez629

I was in Italy for 2 weeks-I loved the pizza-4 cheese/margarita/it was excellent-some better than other but what is to be expected.
I did get tired of eating prosicuto and melon before every meal.

I recently spent 10 days in Tuscany. Too late for melons but the salumi course before each meal was fantatsic. I never tired of it.

In fact one of the reasons i ant to go back to Italy is for the wonderful food - including the Pizza

My father traveled to Italy several times while serving with the Navy, and he really didn't like the Italian pizza. Now that I'm a grown up (lol) I asked him what he didn't like, and apparently the type of pizza he had (several times) was Sicilian. Anyone who loves pizza knows Sicilian pizza is a different monster, yes? Not necessarily bad, but not everyone loves it. And honestly, my father is that rare breed who does not love pizza. My ex husband is the same. Pizza is ok to him, but he does not love it. I think it is possible that the original poster had 2 bad experiences, and quit trying. That is understandable in my book, although I am too stubborn for that, lol.

I think most Americans traveling to Italy are too submersed in American-ized foods to recognize that true Italian cooking is different than Dominos or Olive Garden. Now I like Dominos and Olive Garden (the salad dressing and marinara of the latter, anyhow), but going to an authentic pizzarea or Italian restaurant, I know the menu and food is going to be different than that of a chain. Not everyone does.

Cut her some slack:)

Nothing better than a pizza in Italy...great cheese, super fresh toppings and awesome atmosphere. Amore.

YUCK[xx(

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Originally posted by rainroosty

We love the pizza at Pizza Hut and also at the Olive Garden. I don't know if anyone here has had Olive Garden's pizza, but you'd be suprised!
It's a home-made style...great! I've also had the same experience with the pizza at Cheesecake Factory......good stuff!

Double yuck...again I say using the word "pizza" in Pizza Hut is false advertizing!!!!!

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Originally posted by leethebard

Double yuck...again I say using the word "pizza" in Pizza Hut is false advertizing!!!!!

I'm reminded that a former co-worker referred to the joint by the Star-Wars-esque name "Pizza the Hut".

By the way...don't put Olive Garden pizza in the same sentence with "Pizza" Hut. Olive Garden pizza is edible. I'm Italian and SUPER picky and I can stand(not love!) their pizza. Same for Carrabba's mad in a wood oven. These Italian chains are far better than any "fast food" pizza.
I'm one of the fussiest Italians and I think Olive Garden is under rated. Passible Italian at a great price...Great, NO,very Good?..no! But worth a visit if money is an object.
leethebard

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard


I'm one of the fussiest Italians and I think Olive Garden is under rated. .......................... leethebard

you heard it here first folks................ the words "fussiest Italians" and "Olive Garden" all in the same sentence. ......................... lol

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Originally posted by sizz

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Originally posted by leethebard


I'm one of the fussiest Italians and I think Olive Garden is under rated. .......................... leethebard

you heard it here first folks................ the words "fussiest Italians" and "Olive Garden" all in the same sentence. ......................... lol

What makes it even more unbelievable is that, "leethebard" lives in...........NEW JERSEY!!!
It's OK Lee, we still love you anyway.

Ha Ha Ha....sizz......
It's possible you know.....I guess I'm living proof you can have been raised on superior Italian food..and still like a chain Italian meal....most of you people are a bit unfair to this chain...I've eaten in very expensive Italian places, and had a lesser meal than what I can get in Olive Garden.Ours in Toms river has won awards...and is good...I'll grant maybe they're not all the same quality, however. So come to Toms River and check out ours.
leethebard

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Originally posted by leethebard




Ha Ha Ha....sizz......
It's possible you know.....I guess I'm living proof you can have been raised on superior Italian food..and still like a chain Italian meal....most of you people are a bit unfair to this chain...I've eaten in very expensive Italian places, and had a lesser meal than what I can get in Olive Garden.Ours in Toms river has won awards...and is good...I'll grant maybe they're not all the same quality, however. So come to Toms River and check out ours.
leethebard

What is your opinion of Carrabba's Italian Grill? pb

You see, around here at Roadfood, you're not allowed to like Pizza Hut or Olive Garden or any other "chain", unless of course the members that have been here for years like it (then it's okay).
People that like both chain restaurants AND home cookin' "real" restaurants need to keep their honest opinions to themselves, else they get rudely banned from this site. That's just the way it is; there's no arguing about it, conform to the opinions of others or it's "goodbye".
I can't say that I understand "why" it's that way here. But, heck, I'll play along and if I ever enjoy something but I doubt that the roadfood clique will "approve" of it I'll just keep it to myself.
That way I can stay and have a good time reading about my favorite thing in life: food. Thankyou.

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Originally posted by jimsock9

You see, around here at Roadfood, you're not allowed to like Pizza Hut or Olive Garden or any other "chain", unless of course the members that have been here for years like it (then it's okay).
People that like both chain restaurants AND home cookin' "real" restaurants need to keep their honest opinions to themselves, else they get rudely banned from this site. That's just the way it is; there's no arguing about it, conform to the opinions of others or it's "goodbye".
I can't say that I understand "why" it's that way here. But, heck, I'll play along and if I ever enjoy something but I doubt that the roadfood clique will "approve" of it I'll just keep it to myself.
That way I can stay and have a good time reading about my favorite thing in life: food. Thankyou.

Nobody ever got "rudely banned" from Roadfood solely for voicing their honest opinions about a restaurant. Being an idiot it about can put you in jeopardy though. pb

OK PB, thanks!

I don't think chain food is going to kill you per se and most likely you will not gag over it or they would not stay in business. But I am not going to travel around the country like I do and eat food I can get at home any day. The adventure and discussion is to find something new (and hopefully good of course). That's why I have little interest in discussing the merits of chain food. Maybe someone ought to start a new website called Chainfood.com. Unfortunately the url is already taken.

There are just too many restaurant, cafes, diners, dives, and drive-ins to try than to keep going back to the same ol' same ol'.

But I must confess I do frequent Culver's (a chain) a lot because it is very close to home and convenient when I do not feel like spending a lot of time dining. Italian? Since this is the subject of pizza and Italy, the two chains I like are Biaggi's and Buca de Beppo but I never go to either with any regularity.

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Originally posted by porkbeaks

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Originally posted by leethebard




Ha Ha Ha....sizz......
It's possible you know.....I guess I'm living proof you can have been raised on superior Italian food..and still like a chain Italian meal....most of you people are a bit unfair to this chain...I've eaten in very expensive Italian places, and had a lesser meal than what I can get in Olive Garden.Ours in Toms river has won awards...and is good...I'll grant maybe they're not all the same quality, however. So come to Toms River and check out ours.
leethebard

What is your opinion of Carrabba's Italian Grill? pb

Although I was not asked, I will tell you that personally, I love Carraba's restaurants. Because many are "locally owned", quality depends on A particular restaurant. We have a superb Carrabba's in North Dallas that is always busy. Unlike 2 others in the Dallas area that were owned by a different group and closed because of lack of business.

Hi,
Since I was asked, I'll reply. I'm an Italian American who also likes Carrabba's Italian Grill. The food is quality and fresh...and tasty. Ours here in Brick is also very good, perhaps a bit better than the Olive Garden I mentioned a few posts up from here. My one big complaint with Carrabba's is its menu. Being an Italian who makes all the classic dishes for our family, we usually don't eat the regular Italian pasta dishes others would eat at a restaurant like this!. We're looking for that unusual dish we just don't make at home...we don't buy lasagna,ravioli, etc.Carrabba's just dosen't have enough unusual and creative dishes for me...but what I've tried is really very good.LOVE their lentil soup with sausage,by the way.
I agree, perhaps chains vary by area...both our Olive Garden..and Carrabba's are very good. THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE. THERE ARE A LOT OF ITALIANS IN OUR AREA!!!!!!

I think I have mentioned this before, but I'll admit, I am another Italian American who finds Carrabba's actually pretty decent...I always think the simpler dishes are easier to mess up, so I was extremely please at a simple dish of tagliarini in a basic tomato sauce...it was perfectly cooked, the balance of flavors was very good, and I have to say, it was done much better than in a number of independently owned Italian American mom-and-pop places I have been to.
I have tasted a few other dishes at Carrabba's, and really found the quality to be quite good.
As for Olive Garden, oh well....I find iceberg lettuce salads boring to begin with, and their vinaigrette just tastes too acidic and "chemical" for my tastes. I haven't had much luck with their pastas, either...they usually tend to be overcooked, and the sauces very gloppy. As for the doughy and undercooked "breadsticks," well, not my cup of tea, either.
I did have a steak dish that was cooked well there, once.
Guess this thread has gotten a bit off topic, huh?

Anyhow, back to pizza in Italy...as I said much earlier in the thread, I have always found it delicious, made with fresh ingredients, and never oversauced, overcheesed, or drowning in subpar vegetables and meats, like I have eaten at times in the US (even in non-chain places in supposedly pizza-savvy cities).

tacchino,
I want to echo those comments about the pizza. From what I have seen,Italian pizza has always been well made. "Served with pride" as the main ingredient.
I totally agree with your Carrabba's review.(See my comments above)
I have eaten in a few Olive Garden's with my family. One in Colorado Springs was nothing to write home about, but, I repeat, the one here in Toms River is great. Pasta is always Al Dente. I'll give you the comment on the breadsticks....true....I find the salad great...Tuscan peppers and all!
But back to the original thread, what annoys me about so many travellers is they take one or two experiences, and upon that build a generality. "Oh those New Yorkers"... or "People in Chicago.."...or even, "Pizza in Italy,Yuck" See what I mean. If polsters ran their business that way....oh well...

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard


But back to the original thread, what annoys me about so many travellers is they take one or two experiences, and upon that build a generality. "Oh those New Yorkers"... or "People in Chicago.."...or even, "Pizza in Italy,Yuck" See what I mean. If polsters ran their business that way....oh well...

fool me once, shame on you ........... fool me twice same on me,
Life is to short to hunt across a country like Italy looking for a pizza that would compare to or be better then the pizza you could get in the USofA

once again....pizza in Italy is good, but it is different from the pizzas we have in the US.
We are not comparing apples to apples here.....

quote:

Originally posted by sizz

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard


But back to the original thread, what annoys me about so many travellers is they take one or two experiences, and upon that build a generality. "Oh those New Yorkers"... or "People in Chicago.."...or even, "Pizza in Italy,Yuck" See what I mean. If polsters ran their business that way....oh well...

fool me once, shame on you ........... fool me twice same on me,
Life is to short to hunt across a country like Italy looking for a pizza that would compare to or be better then the pizza you could get in the USofA

once again....pizza in Italy is good, but it is different from the pizzas we have in the US.
We are not comparing apples to apples here.....

Where did you eat the best restaurant pizza you have ever had in the USA?