With so many cuisines, Italian has become one of the most popular. However, the popularity has resulted in the creation of numerous Italian restaurants, increasing the chances of getting non-authentic Italian food.
Therefore, you should take your time and compare different places to get an authentic Italian restaurant in Tempe, AZ.
Research
This is essential because it helps you identify Italian restaurants near you. You should also ask for referrals from friends and family and read the restaurant’s customer reviews on sites like Yelp and Google.
It should only serve Italian food
Authentic Italian restaurants only serve authentic Italian food. Therefore, ask for the menu and go through it to look at a restaurant’s food offerings. Avoid a restaurant with a menu translated into different languages or one with different renditions of authentic Italian dishes. You should also avoid one that serves dishes from different ethnicities.
Finally, the menu should look like it was made for Italian nationals, meaning it should not have a lot of food photos. While it is nice to know what you will be severed, some of those photos are made to lure you in.
Look for seasonal ingredients
One of the things Italian dishes are known for is fresh ingredients. Therefore, their ingredients usually change per season. In summer, for example, you will find many dishes with cucumbers, potatoes, and onions, while in winter, you are more likely to find more food with apples and broccoli.
Consider the ambiance
While at an Italian restaurant in Tempe, AZ, you should feel the Italian vibe. While any Italian restaurant could try to mimic the environment, it is more natural in authentic restaurants.
In addition to a welcoming environment, most restaurants add wooden paneling, tables from Italy, or paintings from famous Italian artists.