[Randall55]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

? Have you traveled through Italy much? Some of the worst examples of Italian style along with some pretty good was my experience. Never had a good pizza there.
We all have our preferences and expectations Authentic, truly authentic food of any culture is going to vary greatly dictated by what was available. Peasant foods account for the most iconic dishes of most cultures.
I, for one, like Olive Garden. Great authentic Italian? No! (Thank God) But, I'm not native Italian, I'm American. So, for Italian inspired food, I like it.
Fredric, not Federico.

Did you have pizza in Naples? Some of the best in the world! Cities like Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan etc. are not known for pizza. Try their versions and you will be very disappointed.

[coleprice]

Originally Posted by xhippee

This was almost amusing. Went to Napolinos last night with another couple. I told the waitress I'd like chicken parm, with linguini and white clam sauce. She said it would be a $3 upcharge. I said ok. When it arrived 40 minutes later, the linguini was doused in a thick, white gravy...devoid of clams. When I pointed this out to the waitress, she said if I wanted clams in my clam sauce, I'd have to order it as a dinner. I actually laughed. First and last time for me there.

Lousy food that is over priced . . . Must Miss combination!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'm wondering now, if the OP asked for a side of pasta with white (mumble) sauce...and the waitress, knowing that the restaurant doesn't offer a side of white CLAM sauce, heard "white sauce" and gave him the white sauce they do offer. Which is to say, alfredo sauce.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Every country I've ever been in, from one region to the next, the folks from a different region will tell you, "oh, they don't make it properly here". All the great cuisines of the world started off as peasant food, with herbs, spices and sauces to make plain, or even lousy/questionable
food more palatable.
As for brick ovens and grilling over open flame, that is all Peasants had to cook on or in. Fresh fruits and veggies, often wild, were all that was available. Escargot, snails! Peasants so desperate for food tried to hide and flavor snails so they could swallow it. Amazing what butter and garlic can do. No kings chef would have dared serve the monarch snails. Heads would roll.
So, you can stop looking down your nose at those of us who like good food from all countries, regions, and all strata of society. 🤗

Just for clarity, since you brought it up as a favorite....what country, region, strata or peasant inspired Olive Garden? You were doing so good before you dropped that crumb!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Randall55

Did you have pizza in Naples? Some of the best in the world! Cities like Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan etc. are not known for pizza. Try their versions and you will be very disappointed.

Agree. Naples is wildly underrated. The other mentioned regions are all farm to table to brick oven. Still good but not neapolitan style like Naples.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Every country I've ever been in, from one region to the next, the folks from a different region will tell you, "oh, they don't make it properly here". All the great cuisines of the world started off as peasant food, with herbs, spices and sauces to make plain, or even lousy/questionable
food more palatable.
As for brick ovens and grilling over open flame, that is all Peasants had to cook on or in. Fresh fruits and veggies, often wild, were all that was available. Escargot, snails! Peasants so desperate for food tried to hide and flavor snails so they could swallow it. Amazing what butter and garlic can do. No kings chef would have dared serve the monarch snails. Heads would roll.
So, you can stop looking down your nose at those of us who like good food from all countries, regions, and all strata of society. ������

Without question there is one food that burns into my mind and has left the lasting impression that not even good Italian can top, Schwenkbraten. The southern Hunsruck of Germany makes a pork steak on a spit like no other. Sitting on the Mosel while eating it, then topping it off with a good German beer and you will never forget the meal of all meals.

Sometimes a dinner doesn’t have to be costly, it’s all in the marinade.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Normal

Without question there is one food that burns into my mind and has left the lasting impression that not even good Italian can top, Schwenkbraten. The southern Hunsruck of Germany makes a pork steak on a spit like no other. Sitting on the Mosel while eating it, then topping it off with a good German beer and you will never forget the meal of all meals.

Sometimes a dinner doesn’t have to be costly, it’s all in the marinade.

Is that like a schnitzel or different altogether?

[Vickim]

I agree we don’t eat out much after living in a foodie city. The Villages leaves a lot to be desired. The quality of Anglers club is outstanding but you have to be a member . Gio’s deli in Oxford for good Italian 👍🏻

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Vickim

I agree we don’t eat out much after living in a foodie city. The Villages leaves a lot to be desired. The quality of Anglers club is outstanding but you have to be a member . Gio’s deli in Oxford for good Italian 👍🏻

Can I wear the John Belushi ‘COLLEGE’ sweatshirt from Animal House at The Anglers Club?

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Is that like a schnitzel or different altogether?

Pork steak marinated in onion paprika and garlic mixture

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Normal

Pork steak marinated in onion paprika and garlic mixture

Sounds amazing.
My two favorite German restaurants are now defunct. One was the Wursthaus in Harvard Square in Cambridge and the other was called Jacob Wirth in Boston’s theater district. Both were authentic and very popular in their day. German cuisine is definitely underrated imo

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Sounds amazing.
My two favorite German restaurants are now defunct. One was the Wursthaus in Harvard Square in Cambridge and the other was called Jacob Wirth in Boston’s theater district. Both were authentic and very popular in their day. German cuisine is definitely underrated imo

Holy crap I remember Wursthaus, right next to Out of Town News and the old entrance to the Red Line. I used to busk in that spot, and across the street at the Coop. Never ate there but I think I remember using their bathroom once or twice. Do you remember the Tasty, around the corner? And the Coffee Connection in The Garage?

[Driller703]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Preaching to the choir. We like a sweet white wine like moscato, irregardless of what we are eating.

Irregardless is not a word. It is either, regardless, or irrespective. It’s like saying, “I could care less.”No, you couldn’t care less.

[Ele201]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

I think your complaint is unreasonable. Linguini with white clam sauce usually runs around $18.00 to $20.00 dollars and is an entree. If I were the waitress I don't think I would have understood that you wanted a $18.00 side with your entree either. $3.00 should have given you a clue that you weren't going to get an $18.00 Linguini with clam sauce. You ordered two entrees, not an entree with a side.

I like your post because it is logical and tells it like it is. Most restaurants will save the clam sauce for customers ordering entrees. Chicken parm is usually paired with pasta with red sauce. That is the norm. When you deviate from that, there’s no telling what you’d end up with. One exception might be if you’re a regular, and waitstaff know you and what you want.

Some restaurants are blunt and state “no substitutions.” I’m an avid restaurant goer and I’ve learned over the years that ordering something that deviates from their menu can mess up the kitchen flow. This may sound unreasonable to some, but it’s true, especially during busy dinner service times.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by xhippee

This was almost amusing. Went to Napolinos last night with another couple. I told the waitress I'd like chicken parm, with linguini and white clam sauce. She said it would be a $3 upcharge. I said ok. When it arrived 40 minutes later, the linguini was doused in a thick, white gravy...devoid of clams. When I pointed this out to the waitress, she said if I wanted clams in my clam sauce, I'd have to order it as a dinner. I actually laughed. First and last time for me there.

The waitress should not have given you the option of white clam sauce. The cook gave you a substitute “white” gravy to placate you. Poor decisions all the way around.