Well this is pretty easy to answer; if Italians eat there then you know it's great.

Come on guys, the Americans didn't invent the great Italian restaurant, now did they?

A great Italian restaurant has nothing to do with a chain of restaurants, that to my mind doesn't at all replicate a great Italian restaurant, it's a chain fast food shop, nothing more nothing less that is it. Whats more they are probably run by anyone other than Italian too, and if you want truly authentic Italian food its either a family run place or one that is run at the very least by Italians, even if their work force is mostly anything but Italian.

You have to hand it to the Italians, THEY KNOW ABOUT FOOD, they live it, they breathe it, they just love it to death...every single thing starts and ends in food for the Italians, so of course their restaurants are great, most of them. but seriously if you want a great Italian restaurant then check out who the clients are, and if they are Italian then you just know it's great. For most of us its isn't just about the food however, the atmosphere, the feeling that you are the only one in the restaurant with all the attention that is lavished upon you by the very competent waiters/waitresses, eager to please, eager to promote their food and culture through their food. I find the best of them don't cram their menu with lots of choices but have simple one's for you to choose from, they are so confident that you will enjoy it you just don't need hundreds of different choices.

Of course they have the usual things you might expect, but look for things you've never tried before, perhaps some of the rustic dishes. Italy has a vast menu choice within its shores. So many different regions bringing you many different choices, for the most part unless you have visited Italy or you know Italians you would probably never come across them at all. Italy's food isn't just about Lasagna or Pizza, or Osso Bucco either, its about amazingly roasted sweet peppers, stuffed with tuna and olives, it's about fresh and nourishing soups, pulses, salads, fish and so very much more, deserts to die for, ice cream to drive you wild.

The experience is a sensual one, one that not only pleasures the taste buds but also is pleasing in a complete way, the joy of enjoying beautifully prepared food that is wonderful to look at, is even better to taste has got to be a sensual experience and thinking of eating in the Italian way is very sensual.

So remember next time you step over the threshold of a potentially great Italian restaurant, just take a look around and if you see lots of Italians there eating and enjoying you know your in the right place..enjoy!

Learn more about this author, Kiria Pepe.
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