My name is Lariza and I am one of the many bright TourCrafters agents helping you with your European experience.
Originally from Rome, I love Italian food.  It is a central part of the culture. I found a great article that solves common pronunciations mistakes people make on Italian Restaurant Menus.  By the end of it, you will be able to impress enough to be mistaken for a native Roman, or a food connoisseur at the very least.

I try to avoid American/Italian restaurants because they do not represent Italian Cuisine very well, a prime example being the Olive Garden.  Italian food is very flavorful, but it is definitely more delicate.  Pasta needs to be al “dente” and not many restaurants do that here.

Pizza is really thin and not overloaded with sauce, cheese, and toppings. That is why we in Italy eat a whole one in one sitting.  In Chicago, the only place I found that is really close to authentic Italian pizza is “Pizza DOC” 

My husband and daughter (not native Italians) have already learned that spaghetti and meatballs is not really Italian and have learned to pronounce bruschetta correctly.  Find out how at the article “How to order at an Italian Restaurant without sounding dumb (or pretentious)”.

-Lariza