L'amore Italian Restaurant

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September 28, 2016 by Kim Abbott

The Difference Between Authentic Olive Oil and Counterfeits

When it comes to olive oil, Italians know their stuff. If you are Italian or a fan of Italian food, you should never accept a watered-down olive oil in place of the real thing. The unfortunate truth is that many olive oils sold in supermarkets around the globe are phony. An astonishing number of olive oil producers are either watering down their stock, relying on low-quality olives or using oil from other sources such as soybeans. Here’s a few tips to understand the real thing.

The Taste of Authentic Olive Oil

Authentic olive oil will make your taste buds feel like Heaven. You’ll immediately notice a distinctly rich flavor that is not present in the fake olive oils that could stocked on your local store’s shelves. High-quality olive oil is fresh, flavorful and served within a year of pressing. It’s a stark contrast to most olive oils sold in supermarkets that have been sitting for a year or longer. Real Italians know that olive oil holds its peak flavor for about a year. Once this time period passes, the flavor, nutrition, antioxidants, polyphenols and richness begin to significantly degrade.

The Olive Oil Scam

Back in 2007, United States Marshals entered storage facilities in New Jersey and New York in an attempt to seize counterfeit olive oil. The Marshals removed an astonishing 10,000 cases of supposed extra virgin olive oil. The dark truth is that these cases were full of soybean oil. It is just one example of the pervasive fraud surrounding olive oil.

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, over two-thirds of grocery store olive oil is not what its producers claim. These phony olive oils were either spoiled, made with labels that are unfit to be described as extra virgin or completely fake. In some instances, hazelnut, soy and fish oil are mixed with cheap olive-pomace oil, packaged and sold for a massive profit at stores throughout the world.

Olive Oil’s Growing Popularity

Each year, more and more people make the transition from butter and margarine to olive oil. Unlike vegetable oil and most other oils, olive oil is quite costly and laborious to produce. This is precisely why so many are willing to modify olive oil or completely forge it on a mass scale. Olive oil has become quite the big business over the years.

Americans shell out upwards of $700 million for olive oil each year. Aside from Authentic olive oil’s amazingly rich taste, it also provides a myriad of health benefits. Olive oil is loaded with body-boosting antioxidants and helpful monosaturated fats. Legitimate olive oil even has the potential to decrease blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.

There is a good chance you have never enjoyed genuine, 100% olive oil. Stop on in for dinner at L’amore Italian Restaurant to experience the taste of real olive oil. Give our olive oil a taste and you’ll never go back to those imposters at the grocery store.

Filed Under: Food History, Healthy Food Tagged With: Olive Oil

September 14, 2016 by Kim Abbott

3 Things You Should Know About Dining in Italy

Italy is arguably one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Meandering stone and mortar streets, the corner cafes, and a fascinating history call out to millions of visitors each year. Wander the streets for a day or two and you’ll see a culture that revolves around cuisine and community that’s difficult to find in combination with such refinement.

Tipping is a No-no

It can be a difficult thing for Americans to accept because we’ve been so ingrained with the idea that tipping is a way to show appreciation and that servers rely on tips to make a living. The truth is you don’t need to tip in Italy. You’re probably already paying a supplement through the servizio(service charge) on your restaurant bill and/or the coperto (cover charge), sometimes both. If you do tip, it’s for wildly exception service and it’s a choice of convenience rather than rewarding service, and it’s nowhere near 10 or 20% of the bill.

Dining Etiquette

Make sure you understand the different levels of service at restaurants and cafes. The rules are pretty much the same throughout Italy – you either sit at a table and get waiter service, or stand at the bar to eat/drink or buy something to take away.  The prices are different in each case. Never assume that a business or restaurant accepts credit cards. Never assume that a shopkeeper will break a large bill for a small purchase. Always ask, and expect they may say “No”. Carry small bills for small purchases. Also make sure that during the meal, your hands are always visible. It is thought to be bad manners to rest them out of sight on your lap.

 Riposo

A bit like siesta time in Mexico (but don’t call it that). Each business day between approximately noon and 3:30pm take an extended lunch hour. Here in the States, we would get upset about not being able to get anything done for three hours. But in Italy, Riposo is a very important part of a culture where taking the time to enjoy life comes as a high priority. Don’t fight it.

Most Italians will forgive you if you make an honest mistake. However, it’s always a good idea to review Italian customs and etiquette before traveling abroad.

Filed Under: Dining Tips Tagged With: Dining Etiquette

August 29, 2016 by Kim Abbott

A Brief History of Italian Cuisine

You Say Tomato - I Say SuperfoodIt is no secret that Italian cuisine is beloved around the world. Yet most diners are not aware of the rich history behind these tasty dishes. The country’s ancient inhabitants, the Etruscans, originally subsisted on a diet of meat, soups and variations of cereal. They invented olive oil and a long line of other staples in traditional Italian cuisine.  These staples “set the table” (pun intended) for the culinary explosion that soon followed.

Greeks and Romans

Fast forward to the 8th century and the Greeks had colonized the southern portion of the country. Their primary foods included bread, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, corn-based cereal concoctions, lupines, dry figs and pickled olives. The Greeks consumed also their fair share of walnuts and almonds, both of which are still commonly used in contemporary Sicilian dishes. The Romans centered their meals on meat, fish, vegetables, bread, fruit and wine. No matter what, bread was consumed with each meal.

The Invasion

Once the Roman Empire reached the verge of collapse, imperialists from northern Europe traveled down the Italian peninsula, hoping to gain a larger portion of land. They brought along smoked meats, smoked fish, salted cod (baccala) and variations of casseroles. Arabs in the southern portion of Italy introduced coffee, artichokes, a wide range of spices and rice at the same time. Arabic coffee is an excellent representation of Italian espresso: strong, dark and prepared in a highly nuanced manner.

The French, Spanish and Austrians also had a considerable influence on Italian food. As an example, Spanish invaders introduced the tomato. This vegetable soon served as the foundation of Italy’s delicious cuisine. The Austrians introduced locals to Spritz, an aperitif that spread like wildfire throughout Italy. The Arabs introduced Sicilians to the dish that later evolved into marzipan. This tasty creation quickly became an uber-popular dessert. It is also thought that the Arabs introduced cassata as well. Cassata is a cake made with sugar, royal paste, sheep ricotta and candied fruit. The Arabs also introduced Sicilians to sugar cane, oranges, lemon and an array of other foods.

The Pizza Queen

Ask anyone about Italian food and most will quickly reference pizza. The original version of this scrumptious food was quite simple compared to today’s elaborate concoctions. Pizza’s origins date all the way back to 1889 when King Umberto I and Queen Margherita traveled to Naples. The country’s best pizzaiolo was asked to create pizza for these royal visitors. His best creation was rather basic, consisting of dough, mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil. He created this style of pizza in honor of Italy’s national colors. Queen Margherita enjoyed the pizza to the point that she wrote a letter of gratitude to the pizzaiolo, inspiring him to call the pie “pizza margherita”. This simple but delicious version of pizza is still consumed across the globe today and will likely continue to be cherished by the masses for years to come.

Come in today for a taste of Italy.

Filed Under: Food History

August 4, 2016 by Kim Abbott

The Health Benefits of Tomato Sauce

We all love tomato sauce. To the surprise of some, this delicious creation is one of those rare foods that actually tastes good and benefits the human body. Tomatoes and tomato sauce improve biological functions in countless ways.  Keep reading to find out how tomatoes work their magic.

Tomatoes Improve Heart Health

The consumption of tomatoes has long been tied to improved heart health. Tomatoes and extracts from tomatoes decrease total cholesterol, the LDL form of cholesterol and triglycerides. Tomato extracts also assist in the prevention of platelet cell clumping within the blood. The result is a reduced risk of heart health problems such as atherosclerosis. The phytonutrients within tomatoes are responsible for this heart health benefit along with numerous others. Tomatoes also regulate fats in the bloodstream to boost cardiovascular health.

Tomatoes Boost Bone Health And More

Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a carotenoid pigment provides an array of health benefits. Medical studies have shown a connection between the consumption of tomatoes and improved bone health. This is likely due to the fat that there is an abundance of antioxidants and lycopene in tomatoes. Contrary to popular opinion, lycopene is found in tomatoes of all colors, not just those of the deep red variety.

Tomatoes are Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Tomatoes contain a considerable amount of vitamin C, beta-carotene, mineral manganese and vitamin E. Most of these vitamins and minerals are powerful antioxidants and/or provide numerous other health benefits. The presence of vitamin C is particularly strong in tomatoes. Those who cook tomatoes will be happy to know that the cooking process does not eliminate this vitally important nutrient. A whopping 18 milligrams of vitamin C are found in one cup of cooked tomatoes. Aside from warding off sickness, vitamin C also helps the body produce collagen and even improves brain functions.

Tomatoes Help in the Fight Against Cancer

Research has shown that tomatoes provide numerous anti-cancer benefits. Though studies have not been conducted to determine the impact of tomatoes on each type of cancer, it is clear that the antioxidants in tomatoes are critically important in the fight against cancer. A good portion of cancers begin to form as the result of chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of tomatoes go a long way to decrease the odds of cancer. In particular, the odds of prostate cancer are significantly reduced when one consumes tomatoes. It is likely that the link between tomato consumption and low incidences of cancer will continue to strengthen as more studies are conducted on specific types of cancer.

Other Tomato Health Benefits

Diets that are rich in tomatoes have also been proven to decrease the odds of certain neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Multiple studies have also shown that tomato consumption is linked to a lower risk of obesity.

Filed Under: Healthy Food Tagged With: Healthy, tomatoes

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Credit for most photos: Kay W. Eskridge: Images By Kay

Our Hours

Lunch
TBD.
Dinner
Mon – Sat: 4pm–9pm
Saturday Dinner: 4pm–9pm

Sunday Closed

Happy Hour
Mon – Fri: 4:00pm–6:00pm
No happy hour on Saturdays

Holiday Closures: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, sometimes Christmas Eve (call to check), Christmas Day

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