My wife and I just returned from a 10 day tour of Rome and the area somewhat south of Rome. We were very?

Question

disappointed with the food. The pizza was not good. It usually consisted of a couple of table spoons of some sort of tomato "stuff" spread of the "base," and then two or three oz. of mattarella cheese melted on top. Nothing else. Also, we became very tired of "tasteless pasta." Ordered a hamburger once because I was sick of the food, and I could not eat it. Could it have been horse meat?

Answer 1

It's a shame that you had this sadly common experience, for the issue is a simple one at bottom:

Specifically for pizza, it comes to the dual problem of GREEDY business who charge the most they can get away with by giving the least they can get away with. It's a disgrace made worse by the advent of the Euro, BTW.

And then, the fact that "traditional" pizza, is generally better made in Naples area. Here for example the "Margherita" will feature _peeled- tomatoes (not puree' or ketchup) and nowadays nominal amount of "supposed" mozzarella and the obligatory basil leaves, sprinkled with some oil, and it -must- be olive oil.

Can you say, "the love of money" ?. Well it corrupts in a mighty way. Pretty soon if you run an eatery you look upon the foreigner with benign disdain, and as a target. Period. Maybe what I say is too strong, but I speak from knowledge. I live here five months of the year.

Italians do eat out, but they know _where to eat_ and _what to order_. The "innocent abroad" to use Mark Twains word, should do a little research ahead of the trip, I guess.

Don't feel to bad, it happens a lot

Answer 2

When I first went to Italy I of course had to try pizza and spaghetti. There is a big difference though between those dishes made in the states and made in Italy. I think Italians tend to focus more on spices while we tend to focus more on ingredients......our pizzas and spaghetti's are loaded with meat, onions, peppers, mushrooms and so forth. When I was in Italy the pizza I saw had very little toppings and the spaghetti didn't have as many ingredients....but they had tons of spices/herbs!

Now, I can't say one way is better than the other because I like them both. Maybe you just went to a bad restaurant? Don't judge all of Italy's cuisine with the few meals you ate there.

Answer 3

I lived in ITALY for 10 years and the food there is nothing but delicious, whoever organized your tour completely messed up.They probably sent you to the cheapest places, like Mcdonalds here.

Tasteless pasta? Horrible pizza ? where did they take you?

Answer 4

I think you were experiencing cultural differences and expectations.  

I've seen Americans disappointed in the pizza they order in a restaurant.  It is an appetizer.  Like ordering cheese and crackers and expecting to get roast beef and potatoes too.  

We did get some heartier pizza at "pizzerias".  These specialize in pizza and cater to a more casual diner.

The expression is, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."  And Romans are not used to making American burgers.    The meat might be a mix of other cuts than what we are used to calling "hamburger".  It was probably seasoned with different spices or not seasoned at all.

You may have gotten horse meat.  Not likely.  But some Europeans see eating horses no different from eating cows.

Answer 5

Had you done your research in advance, you'd have known what to expect and where to get the best food for your budget.

You should join a travel discussion group so you'll be prepared for your next trip: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thetravelz...

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

im sorry to hear your experience wasnt great.  we knew before going to visit that the stuff we eat in the states is americanized like every other ethnic food.  next time you go, try finding some places off the beaten path and not next to a tourist site.  we ate at all sorts of random places in rome, florence, naples, and the other small towns we came across.  the food was definately different, but was so good!  perhaps your tastebuds were in shock.  i hope it works out better next time.

Answer 7

This is beyond my scope of experience. I have never had anything but the most incredibly delicious food/pizza in Italy!

It was the greatest taste sensation my mouth has ever known.

Answer 8

If you were expecting pizza like the one you have in the States, you were going to be disappointed for sure. "Real" Italian pizza is completely different. Thinner and less loaded with ingredients, it is something that has nothing to do with the overloaded American pizza (which I love, by the way). I guess you did not know this before travelling here. I prefer Italian pizza (lighter and easier to digest...), but it really depends on your taste. However I think many tourists make the mistake of expecting to find the food they are familiar with everywere they go (like some Italian expecting to find pasta just like the one we have here everywere in the world: not gonna happen!!!!).

Visiting a country, eating and learning to appreciate their food is a cultural experience. Next time, be more adventurous and try something that sounds really weird on the menu: chances are, you'll discover something delicious.

And please, do not go to MacDonald's as soon as you are out of the airport...

Answer 9

nope thsat id real italian food , it is their cusine, they know what a pizza is

I bet your american

Answer 10

Just returned from Italy myself.  I was rather surprised with what Italian's considered Pizza.  The emphasis seemed to be on the dough, which was delicious.  I too experienced the lack of sauce and 'stuff' on the pizza.  It is nothing like pizza here in the states.  But it is good.  Why would you order a hamburger?  Try some Italian food.  We were in Rome, Pisa, Florence (Firenza), many small cities, and we had some awesome food.  I wouldn't order a pizza from a "bar", which would be similar to a frozen pizza here.  I think that your tour group basically sucked if you couldn't find good food in Italy.  Next time invest in a Foder's guide.  One last pearl;  DON'T drive in Rome, and try Florence next time.