When it comes to ethnic cuisines, there are none more popular than Italian food. From your local pizza joint (debatable as to whether that’s truly Italian food) to the four-star places found in major cities, Italian food is one of the top choices when families are deciding where to go to eat out.

The food of Italy is commonly thought to be decadent, cheese-laden stuff with a predominance of garlic and oregano, almost always involving pasta of some sort and usually served with a good bottle of wine. While none of this is untrue about Italian cuisine, it does give one a very limited view of what is one of worlds most varied culinary areas.

Italian food has two main influences: geography and history.

The geographical influences largely determine the base components of the food that is served in various parts of the country. In the south, with the warmer climate and abundant access to the sea, tomatoes are abundant, and olive oil is the main fat used in cooking. In the north, where livestock are abundant, butter is the fat of choice and the cheeses are much more varied and exotic.

The historical influences result from Italy having been a battleground many times throughout history, and one of the worlds great imperial powers at one time. The Roman Empire brought in foods and influences from all of Europe and much of Asia and Africa, and after the fall of the empire many other cultures brought their food, and their soldiers, across the Alps. Read the rest of this entry »

You do not have to travel far today if you are looking to find great Italian food to dine on, as there are hundreds of restaurants available in each major city on the planet. The Italians have set themselves up as culinary giants, when it comes to fine dining and you will have many options to choose from in regards to hot dining spots. There are several Italian restaurants that cater to specific dishes, and if you are looking for a regional specific recipe there are eateries that can be found to help you with this as well. It is difficult today to find someone that has not had al least a bit of experience with Italian cuisine, and most people that enjoy good hearty food enjoy a fine plate of spaghetti every once in a while.

Even The Smallest Eateries Know How To Please

When it comes to Italian food and the fine restaurants that offer it to customers, you can be sure that most of the fine and traditional recipes will be offered. If you are looking for something that is not common yet very traditional, you can always ask in advance of going out for the evening to see if they do special orders. Many chefs at these fine Italian restaurants will go out of their way to make something for a customer that is not frequently asked for. This is because Italian chefs are a proud bunch, and they enjoy it when they get to make something different. This allows them to step out of the common box, and practice their skills on dishes that they do not make regularly.

Experimentation Is Encouraged

When you go to a fine Italian restaurant you will find the atmosphere to be warm and very comforting. It is almost like spending time at loved ones, and you will feel a sense of family while you are dining there. The chef will enjoy cooking fine dishes for you, but you may want to keep in mind that the chef would love for you to experience the true nature of fine Italian cuisine. This will bring you to a point where the chef may suggest something that you are not familiar with, and while this could be odd or a bit scary you need to have trust in the fact that the chef only wants you to know just how wonderful Italian food really is. The chef will be able to show you this, by taking you away from the norm of the standard pasta recipes and on to something that is exciting and different. Read the rest of this entry »