L'amore Italian Restaurant

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May 6, 2020 by Kim Abbott

4 Little-known Italian Culinary Traditions

Did you know famous Italian-American chef Lidia Bastianich uses diced celery in her pasta sauce?  How about the fact that real Italians do not use butter on their fresh Italian bread?

These are a couple of interesting Italian culinary tidbits only the true cultural insiders are aware of.

Though the nuances of Italian cooking and eating might seem a bit odd to outsiders, these traditions developed for good reason.

Here’s the inside scoop on five of the most intriguing Italian culinary traditions.

Real Italians Serve Courses as Opposed to one Large Entrée

American restaurants often center service on a gigantic entrée followed by a cup of coffee and dessert.  Things are done a little differently in Italy and America’s true Italian restaurants.  Real Italian meals commence with a starter, typically in the form of antipasto.  The next course is a primo such as risotto, pasta or polenta.

A secondo in the form of fish or meat follows.  A contorno is served next in the form of cooked vegetables or even a small salad.  The final course is dolce, meaning dessert.  The purpose of staggering courses in such a manner is to keep portions under control while providing a carefully measured meal pace, allowing diners to truly savor the flavor of each dish.

Vegetables are Best When Hammered

No, we are not suggesting you get hammered before devouring a side of our tasty vegetables!  Rather, “hammering” is a term some Italians such as Mario Batali use in reference to well-cooked vegetables.  Though Italians are famous for their al dente pasta, we cook veggies longer than most others.  Such slight overcooking elicits those intense textures and flavors necessary to bring out the best in a side of veggies.

Butter Does not Belong on Bread

Though many of our diners desire butter for their bread, those who abide by Italian tradition prefer olive oil.  Some Italians even put vinegar on their bread.  Take a trip to Italy and you will undoubtedly find some diners saving their bread for the end of the meal, using it to soak up leftover pasta sauce.  Whether you would like butter, olive oil or vinegar for your bread, we’ve got you covered.

Fruit is a Perfectly Acceptable Dessert

There is a common misconception that tiramisu, cannoli, and gelato are the only Italian desserts served in Italian restaurants.  However, as real Italians know, fruit is a common Italian dessert.

Enjoy a small bowl of cherries or strawberries after your meal and you will feel quite satiated.  Additional Italian fruit desserts include figs, melons, peaches, persimmons, and plums.

Filed Under: Cooking Tips Tagged With: Cooking, italian, Italian Cuisine Tips

March 3, 2020 by Kim Abbott

You Won’t Believe These 5 Weird Italian Foods

When you think about Italian food, your mind may drift to visions of pasta, lasagna, pizza and amazing cafes. However, there are a few other food options that Italy is known for that may not be as appealing to the taste buds. Keep reading to learn about some of these weird foods you may want to try here. 

1. Stuffed Mice with Mince

Yes – this is still a dish that is eaten. Today, the mice are a protected species; however, in the time of ancient Rome, they were stuffed with spices, herbs, nuts, and minced meat. This is still an ancient delicacy and consumed in a small village that’s found in Calabria, in the Southern Italian region. 

2. Maggot Cheese

This is actually sheep milk cheese that is obtained in a very natural way. Thanks to the cheese fly, which have their larvae in the cheese, it’s a natural fermentation process. When the cheese has fermented enough, you can eat it on a thin piece of bread called Carasau. Keep in mind, though, the cheese becomes toxic when the maggots die so you need to eat the cheese while they are alive and, well – jumping. 

3. Tuscan Chicken Liver

This is similar to pate; however, there are some recipes that use chicken hearts and anchovies along with the chicken liver. It isn’t smooth and fancy like the French pate and there are several bits of liver in the dish. Locals really love it. 

4. Songbirds

This isn’t just the little bird that sings to you when the sun comes up – they also get stuffed full of all sorts of meat bits, which includes rabbit, beef, port, and bits of different birds. They are then put on skewers and broiled. Usually, this dish is served with polenta. 

5. Cow Guts

If you venture to Florence, you will be able to eat cleaned guts stewed in broth or spread into bread rolls. This dish may also be served on a plate with herb or spicy sauces. This is actually a dish that is quite good so don’t be afraid give it a try. 

When it comes to weird Italian dishes, there are more than a few to try. Keep in mind, it’s a good idea to get to know what they offer to ensure you don’t get something too weird that’s going to turn your tummy.

By finding the best foods in the area, it is possible to really immerse yourself in the Italian culture and ensure you get the true taste of Italy – regardless of how weird it may be. 

Filed Under: Italian Food Tagged With: food, italian, weird

November 5, 2018 by Kim Abbott

You can Thank the Italians for These 5 Cheeses

When you think of Italian food, pasta certainly comes to mind but so does cheese. The Italians are famous for their variety of delicious cheeses that have made their way into the American diet. Read on to learn about five of the best cheeses to come out of Italy. 

1. Parmesan Cheese

This cheese is named after the area around Parma, where it originated.  Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a grainy texture, a strong aroma and sharp, savory flavor. In fact, it is considered to be the cheese of all cheeses according to cheese connoisseurs. It tastes best sprinkled over pasta and used as an ingredient in soups and risottos. Italians love to munch on it as a snack, as well.  

2. Gorgonzola Cheese

Hailed from the Gorgonzola region, this cheese is soft and crumbly. It can be made into a sharp or mild flavor, depending on its age, and has a nutty aroma. It’s an "old-world" blue-veined cheese made from unskimmed cow’s milk and takes up to four months to create. Serve it with red wine and your favorite pasta dish.

3. Mozzarella Cheese

Originating from the regions of Puglia, Molise, Abruzzo, and Campania, this famous Italian cheese is semi-soft with a stringy texture.  It’s white in color and has a milky flavor and aroma. In the past, mozzarella cheese was made from buffalo milk but today it is made from cow’s milk. Unlike most cheeses, mozzarella cheese doesn’t need to age. It’s eaten fresh. It tastes great on salads, meats, and with fish and vegetable dishes.

4. Provolone Cheese

From the Po valley Region, provolone cheese is firm and grainy with a mild or sharp buttery taste and pale yellow color. As an artisan cheese, provolone is semi-hard with a pleasant aroma. It has high amounts of calcium and protein but is also high in salt. Provolone goes wonderfully with red wine and served with fresh, homemade bread still warm.

5. Ricotta Cheese

This fresh Italian cheese is made from either sheep, cow, goat, or buffalo milk whey that is left over after making other types of cheese. It’s smooth, tastes sweet, and is high in protein but low in fat. It goes well with many Italian dishes such as lasagna, cheesecake, pizza, clazone, ravioli, manicotti, and more. Ricotta can also be used as a sauce thickener. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Food History Tagged With: cheese, italian, red wine

March 29, 2018 by Kim Abbott

Top 5 Most Romantic Spots in Italy

With so much to see, do and eat in Italy, where does a visitor begin?  For those looking for a romantic vacation to Italy, especially for the right spot to propose or for a first or second honeymoon, look no further.

Here are the five most romantic spots in Italy to visit on your next vacation.

1. Juliet’s Home

Built in the thirteenth century and recently renovated in the last century, this is the imagined romantic setting for Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy – Romeo and Juliet.  One of the biggest highlights of this spot is Juliet’s balcony where you can imagine her speaking her famous lines, “O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?”.  This is a great place to pop the question as she sure to moved by the ambience.  You can ask her right on the balcony!

2. Lake Como

The wealthy have been vacationing at Lake Como in Northern Italy since the Roman times.  Today, this area of Italy’s Lombardy region still caters to upscale clients looking for a luxurious and romantic spot to unwind.  When visiting Lake Como, you can expect five star restaurants serving delicacies like tripe, lake shad, and wild boar.

3. The Rose Garden

Located in Florence, the Rose Garden is in the prime spot to watch a magnificent sunset while taking in the luscious aroma of the flowers.  Located in Rome, you can easily find a variety of restaurants to choose from after your walk in the garden works up your appetite.

4. The Blue Grotto

On the coast of Capri Island, there is a sea cave called the Blue Grotto.  The cave is illuminated by sunlight streaming the water and creates a beautiful deep blue color.  This romantic spot can only be visited when the tide is low and the sea is calm. So if you’re a romantic adventurer, make this spot your romantic swimming hole for the afternoon.

5. The Love Walk

Considered the most romantic walk you can take anywhere in Italy, the Love Walk or Way of Love in Cinque Terre, is a romanic spot you do not want to miss on your trip to Italy.  This easy footpath winds along the sea cliffs and small villages with breathtaking views.  It’s about a twenty minute walk, but we suggest you take your time.  Afterwards, sample the local cuisine at nearby cafes and restaurants.

Filed Under: Food History Tagged With: italian, italy, travel

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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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