L'amore Italian Restaurant

  • L'amore Italian Restaurant
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Menus
    • Dinner Menu
    • Cocktail Hour Menu
  • Reservations
  • Galleries
    • Food Gallery
    • Restaurant Gallery
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact

September 20, 2017 by Kim Abbott

How Many Types of Pizza are There Really?

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the United States, if not the most popular food period. It comes at every level of quality from video gaming children’s microwave fodder to five-star level refinement. It also comes with a huge range of toppings, ingredients, crust types, and styles.

Some pizzas are even meant to be eaten while walking around while others appear to be intended for dining in. But what types of pizza are real and what kinds are just food on an edible plate with some red sauce? That’s a tough question but certain types are certainly canonical, while others are apocryphal. We had a look around to see which is which.

Chicago Style Pizza

Pizza from the windy city tends to come with a singularly high edge around the perimeter. This is the deep dish variety. It tends to feature large amounts of cheese melted into the sauce with large chunky bits of tomato and rich, dark flavors. You need a towel for this, and you definitely won’t be doing much walking around during your meal, or after.

New York Style Pizza

The famous New York Style of pizza is all about having a slice on foot while walking around the city taking in the sights. This is a large, hand tossed pie with a thin, broad crust and toppings spread out thin over the surface. You don’t want to pile too many toppings on because you’re expected to fold your slice up, hold it in one hand and go about your business. Mozzarella cheese is the commonest cheese used. The three main New York styles are ‘extra toppings,’ ‘cheese only,’ and ‘cheese with pepperoni.’

Italian Pizza

It is generally accepted that Italy is the origin of pizza. But historians argue that Rome actually appropriated it from either Egypt or Greece. Whoever did invent it though, had edible plates in mind as the food was eaten first by the soldiery who were not encouraged to do much sitting down. There are generally three types of pizza from Italy; Neopolitan, Sicilian, and Roman pizzas. Neopolitan features big chinks of San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.

Asian Pizza

Pizza really went through some major transformations on its way to Asia. Asian pizzas, probably most popular in South Korea and Japan due to their friendly ties to the West, lend a distinctively Asian take on the genre with marinated meat or chicken, rich sauces, and variations with soy sauce, red curry, and other traditional Asian flavors.

To discover a little taste of Italy, visit L’Amore today.

Filed Under: Food History Tagged With: Cuisine

September 6, 2017 by Kim Abbott

Why Dieticians Recommend the Mediterranean Diet

There are a lot of fad diets going around. Most promise quick weight loss bolstered with dramatic before and after images.

But few popular diets are heralded for their ability to help people to be thinner, fitter, and enjoy better health. What few popular diets fail to take into account is that by offering people foods that are rich in a variety of nutrients, people will feel full longer, feel better in general- and will be much less prone to gratuitous snacking.

The Mediterranean diet does this precisely, offering those who choose it very rich and flavorful foods that you would not ordinarily associate with weight loss. But it also provides many items that are high in nutrient content, and it goes a step further by including generous portions of specific ingredients that have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Reduction of Inflammation

Basil and olive oil, in particular, are well known among dietitians for their ability to reduce inflammation. In fact, basil is used as a home remedy for itchy mosquito bites. To prove its anti-inflammatory properties, boil basil in water until the water turns dark green. Dip a small towel into the basil water while warm and rub it on the affected area. Most people find that the itching stops, and the bumps will be reduced in size.

The reduction of inflammation is significant in all areas of health as generalized inflammation is known to exacerbate nearly every type of health condition. Heart disease, arterial or lung congestion, intestinal issues, arthritis, diabetes- all of these are made worse by generalized inflammation which constricts blood flow and makes the body frailer in every measurable way.

A Robust Collection of Powerful Nutrients

The Mediterranean diet is also rich in powerful nutrients. Much of the poor eating habits that cause so much suffering around the world are fueled by cheap food with very low nutrient content. A person can eat exorbitant amounts of nutrient poor food and never feel satisfied. This is because the body judges satiation not only on how full the stomach is but by how much truly nutritious foods have been consumed.

When the cells of the body are supplied with the critical components they need to function, the system tells the brain that you are no longer hungry. Conversely, you could go on eating low-nutrient food forever and never be satisfied.

The Mediterranean diet is full of powerful “superfoods” from garlic, oregano, spinach, balsamic onions, other leafy greens and so much more. You wouldn’t throw silverware into your car’s engine when it needs repair any more than you should eat nutrient-poor starches when you’re hungry. It is the simple necessity of powerful nutrition that the Mediterranean diet addresses, with a host of world class recipes. That is why this diet comes so highly recommended by dietitians.

To discover a little taste of Italy, visit L’Amore today.

Filed Under: Healthy Food Tagged With: Cuisine

August 23, 2017 by Kim Abbott

Fun Facts About Italy

Italy is often stereotyped as the home of delicious Italian recipes, famous opera singers and lengthy words ending in vowels. When you dig deeper into the true identity of Italy, you find all sorts of tasty tidbits worth extensive savoring. Here are some facts about Italy you probably did not know.

The Number of Pasta Varieties in Italy Will Blow Your Mind

At this point in time, more than 500 types of pasta are consumed in Italy. How many can you name?

Italy has the Tallest Mountain in all of Europe

This mountain is called Mont Blanc, meaning white mountain. It is a section of the famous Alps mountain range. The mountain is in Italian territory next to the French border.

Italy is More Populated Than Most Think

Italy is one of Europe’s five most populous countries. The nation has the fourth most people in all of Europe thanks to its low death rate and high birth rate. Though Italy has about the same amount of space as Arizona, it has 10 times as many people as the Grand Canyon state.

Italy’s Empire was Once Quite Expansive

When the Roman Empire reached its height around A.D. 117, the Romans had conquered land stretching from North Africa to Britain, Syria and Portugal. The Italians ruled over 2.3 million miles of space, equaling the amount of land in India. This equates to around one-third of all the land in the United States. The Roman Empire ruled over 120 million people across four centuries.

Tomato Sauce Wasn’t Added to Pasta until the 1600s

Italians did not eat pasta with tomato sauce right away. The two ingredients were combined in the 1600s. Prior to this time, Italians ate pasta with sugar and honey.

Italy Rests on a Fault Line

Italy’s positioning on a fault like has resulted in numerous earthquakes. Making matters worse is the eruption of three volcanoes in the past century: Vesuvius, Stromboli and Etna.

Every Musical Notation is in Italian

Think of the musical notations that come to the top of your head. Adagio, Allegro and so on are all Italian words that stand for music tempo. These words were created by an Italian man named by Guido d’Arezzo.

Italy Hasn’t Been Around That Long

The nation of Italy originated as the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. This means Italy is only a century and a half old.

Italy’s Name is a bit of a Mystery

No one is exactly sure how the country’s namesake came about. Though it is known Italy stems from the root word that means an area of young cattle, this does not explain how the territory received its name. Some historians believe the name “Italy” was selected as the earliest southern Italian tribes used the bull as their symbol. Others are adamant the name is derived from one of the region’s first kings named Italus.

To discover a little taste of Italy, visit L’Amore today.

Filed Under: Food History Tagged With: Cuisine

August 9, 2017 by Kim Abbott

Top Italian Desserts to Make any Occasion Amazing

Italian cuisine comes from the long history of a storied and inventive people. Much of what we know and love from their culinary tradition is about savory entrées and beautiful customs that are centered around family, community, and making the most out of the ingredients on hand. So while Italian desserts may not come to mind readily when the subject of Italian food is tabled, the boot-shaped nation certainly has plenty to offer when it comes to offerings of the sweet variety. Here are a few of our favorite Italian desserts that would raise the profile of any table fortunate enough to hold them.

Bombolone

This fluffy, delicate, crème filled desert is very much like a doughnut- and may even have inspired them. They are lightly sprinkled with sugar and are meant to be served fresh straight out of the oven.

Amaretti

These delicate, crumbly shortbread cookies are crunchy, bittersweet, and soft on the inside. They may seem simple, but this is a combination of characteristics that is not easily achieved on a first try. Chefs who can produce these reliably have a firm grasp on timing and proportion.

Panettone

Like Amaretti, the Panettone features a spectrum of textures from the crust to the center. This dessert is traditionally made from the leftovers from other seductive Italian foods. This one is a cousin to sweet bread and is made with candied fruit.

Occhi di Bue

One of Italy’s most well known, and most delicate after dinner treats, Occhi di Bue is a round shortbread with either a jam or hazelnut center. It is a frequent companion to the famously light Italian breakfast.

Cartellate

Dipped in either wine syrup or honey, Cartellate is so pretty- it’s almost a shame to eat it. These delicate fritters are often sprinkled with nuts, powdered sugar, or dried fruit.

Gelato

A popular treat for Americans on vacation in Italy, Gelato is a denser version of ice cream with a higher milk-to-creme ratio than ordinary ice cream. The difference between this and ice cream may be small, but the experience is not.

Torta Della Nonna

The name means ‘Grandmother’s Cake,’ and if you know the first thing about Italian family dining traditions, this is all the endorsement it needs. These usually feature a uniquely lemony character which really makes them stand out wherever they are served.

Zeppole

Popular wherever they go, Zeppole is simply a ball of fried dough, topped with powdered sugar and often crème filled. They are traditionally served on Saint Joseph’s Day and occasionally feature an anchovy filling, making them an especially unique dessert.

Zabaglione

As fun to say as they are to eat, Zabaglione is a custard-based dessert made from Marsala wine, egg yolks, and sugar. They are usually paired with a biscotti or panettone.

For desserts containing the best of what Italy and America have to offer, visit L’Amore today.

Filed Under: Food History Tagged With: Cuisine

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • …
  • 11
  • Next Page »
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Menus
    • Dinner Menu
    • Cocktail Hour Menu
  • Reservations
  • Galleries
    • Food Gallery
    • Restaurant Gallery
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Menus
    • Dinner Menu
    • Cocktail Hour Menu
  • Reservations
  • Galleries
    • Food Gallery
    • Restaurant Gallery
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact

Visit Us

3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
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

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework