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1/3/2008 6:20:55 PM

^^^ I don't really give a damn whether it's authentic or inspired, as long as it's good.

[Edited on January 3, 2008 at 6:22 PM. Reason : ]

1/3/2008 6:21:57 PM

We were very happy with that resturant. And we found it just by driving around and looking.

1/3/2008 6:23:13 PM

^^I agree. But we're talking about Italian food.

Thats like coming in this thread and saying "hey, know what? Pork lo mein is fuckin awesome"

[Edited on January 3, 2008 at 6:26 PM. Reason : ]

1/3/2008 6:23:14 PM

Carraba's is badly seasoned.

1/3/2008 6:23:41 PM

It was used earlier, but fits here too:

pretentiousness ahoy

1/3/2008 6:23:46 PM

girls built like bookshelves,

ahoy

1/3/2008 6:24:58 PM

do you actually know what pretentious means?

nobody is making claim to distinction here

1/3/2008 6:25:17 PM

my mom is Mediterranean . . . . the right Italian food is DELICIOUS and underrated.

1/3/2008 6:25:33 PM

Maybe so, but i'd rather support a locally owned resturant that costs less, gives me better quality, and is much more likely to support local farmers.

[Edited on January 3, 2008 at 6:26 PM. Reason : and just damn better food]

1/3/2008 6:25:36 PM

^I agree

1/3/2008 6:27:08 PM

<3 italian

1/3/2008 6:29:29 PM

The only real Italian food is from the small Italian cafe in Bellizzi, where I spent my summer. This crap you Americans call Italian food isn't fit for our Italian dogs.

1/3/2008 6:35:13 PM

Quote :

"hey, know what? Pork lo mein is fuckin awesome"

Pork lo mein is Italian inspired?

I had no idea.

1/3/2008 6:40:30 PM

it gives me the runs

1/3/2008 6:41:15 PM

Righteous Italian food is unknown to these parts. Carrabas and Olive Garden is about as authentic as your local hole in the wall Mexican or Chinese restaurant.

1/3/2008 6:45:27 PM

You would think that if Italian/Mexican/Chinese food were actually that much better than the Americanized versions, the people coming from Italy/Mexico/China and opening restaurants would make authentic food.

It boggles the mind.

1/3/2008 6:48:21 PM

The Mexican restaurants around here ARE authentic.

There are a few authentic chinese restaurants but for the closest great chinese food you would have to go over to chinatown dc.

Theres nothing even close to good Italian food anywhere around here. You have to go over to little italy in NYC. Funny thing is, Olive garden is probably our best alternative. SAD.

Quote :

"You would think that if Italian/Mexican/Chinese food were actually that much better than the Americanized versions, the people coming from Italy/Mexico/China and opening restaurants would make authentic food."

well the americanized versions are better to americans so unless you have an area with a large density of nationals it doesn't make sense. Thats probably why the Mexican food around here is good.

[Edited on January 3, 2008 at 6:56 PM. Reason : yep]

1/3/2008 6:53:58 PM

or there is coco osteria in charlotte, too.

1/3/2008 6:58:13 PM

Quote :

"You would think that if Italian/Mexican/Chinese food were actually that much better than the Americanized versions, the people coming from Italy/Mexico/China and opening restaurants would make authentic food."

They are making money with less effort. Business 101.

1/3/2008 6:59:15 PM

Quote :

"but if I was looking for high quality, authentic Italian cuisine where would I go in Raleigh?"

My initial response would be Piccola Italia in CV. I also really like The Point, and while I would never call it an Italian restaurant, they do have some excellent pasta dishes.

1/3/2008 7:00:13 PM

Nina's Ristorante. I swear, I tell everyone about that place and no one fucking bothers to go. They don't know that they're missing...

1/3/2008 7:31:04 PM