Defining what isauthentic Italian restaurantfood in the United States is a fool’s errand.

Italian restaurants are often sources of our favoritecomfort foodsand those vary from person to person.

From big bowls of steamingpastato regional desserts, we are all looking for something different from the experience.

italian dishes

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But that doesn’t mean that anything goes at an Italian restaurant.

Read on to find out how to get the best out of your night out at an Italian restaurant.

“Restaurants in Italy use minimal ingredients in minimal ways,” explains St. John.

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“True Italian restaurants don’t over-sauce pasta dishes.

They also don’t cover everything with cheese.

Italians use way less garlic than we think they do.

bruschetta

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They only serve pasta dishes

This one is pretty simple.

Chef DeLone explains, “Real Italian food is more than pasta.

This dish comes from Piedmont, a northwestern region known for its beef.”

making pasta noodles from scratch

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Overdone menu items

Look for simple preparations that highlight the ingredients, nothing more, sayschefChristian Darcoli.

Italian dishes are meant to be simple.

All ingredients should all be fresh and highlight the region that the chef obtained them from.”

chef grating cheese over pizza

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italian wedding soup

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Eating spaghetti with spoon and fork

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italian dish

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chianti bottle on table

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various pasta shapes

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