Sure, you’ve been to dozens of Italian restaurants in your lifetime. You’ve enjoyed the decor, the music, the large servings. But, how do you know if the restaurant you’ve chosen is truly authentic? We’ve presented some key indicators of real Italian restaurants so you can pick the place of your next meal wisely.
Fresh Ingredients
For an Italian restaurant to call themselves authentic, all the ingredients must be fresh! This means local produce or ingredients, such as wine and cheese, that have been directly imported from Italy. There is nothing worse than going to an Italian restaurant and realizing they’ve been serving you pasta sauce from a jar. Luckily, when dining at Strega, you’ll immediately notice all of our dishes are bursting with fresh flavors, real herbs, and accompanied by some of the best wine you’ll ever have.
The Pizza is Perfect
The crust, the tomato sauce, the cheese… these are all elements of a true Italian pizza that cannot be disputed or ignored! Real Italian restaurants have a pizza oven that creates a wood-fired flavor that is totally unmatched. These restaurants should also use Pomodorino or San Marzano tomatoes in the sauce. Otherwise, what is the point in making a Neapolitan pizza at all?
Handmade, Al Dente Pasta
Yes, all the pasta must be made by hand, no exceptions. This is the only way a real Italian spot can earn its respect! The pasta should be al dente, which means it cannot be too soft – it must have a certain bite to it. Though many people claim they can’t taste the difference, you’ll immediately notice the off-putting texture in store-bought pasta if you are accustomed to true handmade pasta.
Simple Recipes
In Italy, cooking technique can take years to perfect, but the recipes should always remain simple. The ingredients are meant to speak for themselves! Inauthentic restaurants will try to hide behind complex recipes with far-out ingredients to give the illusion of luxury. But, the true luxury lies in your selection of herbs, meats, cheeses, and bread flour. As long as you thoughtfully choose each ingredient in every dish you serve, you’ll be sure to produce a whimsical dish that will capture the hearts of all your customers.
Strong Coffee
Italians do not play around when it comes to coffee. You’ll notice, at an authentic Italian joint, the coffee is dark and aromatic. Coffee beans in Italy tend to be dark roasted, which means the flavor will be intense and the drink well-caffeinated. A perfectly brewed coffee will have a frothy layer of crema, which is the foam that finishes a shot of espresso. High-end Italian restaurants will have a quality espresso machine that extracts all the flavors of the coffee beans, brewing the drink at the right temperature and presenting you with an incredible end to your meal.
Join Us At Strega For Authentic Italian Dishes
We love giving our guests the perfect Italian experience, and at Strega, you can expect this during every visit. Our menu is full of real Italian recipes inspired by our deep connection with the environment. Make your reservation and join us for brunch, lunch, or dinner!
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