[nermise]

Investordude: "Fabrizio, I wonder if the issue is you like French and Italian food specifically"

No. Specifically, I like good produce. Meat not filled with hormones. Cut in front of me as I request. Whole fish (or cut by the fish monger). Artisinal cheeses of a wide variety, both fresh and aged. Artisinal cured meats... ham, salami... handmade sausages. Bread that has been baked the day that I buy it (wood oven baked if possible). Extra virgin olive oil. Butter that is sweet, fresh and of high fat content. Fruit and vegetables that are locally grown and in season. Wine that is produced locally without additives. etc. and etc.

In other words, the way most of the people I know eat. And we are not talking about schooled gourmands. We are talking about a culture.

As far as "fancy" restaurants go... I frequent them, if for some reason, I must. "My" places are simple and chef/owner run.

I agree with you about the wide variety of ethnic food avaiable to all in the US... it's wonderful and something I really enjoy when I visit.

Tourist food in Italy can be very bad and expensive, a rip-off all the way around. And even in "good" touristy restaurants, you must understand how to order.

Prices: with the dollar so low, everything is expensive here for Americans.


---