<Koko> wrote:

> O.K. Now you started something. ;-) I'm going to try and find a
> restaurant that serves Italian as in Italian-Italian food.
>
> What do I need to look for, although I don't mind one bit the trial
> and error approach. I am thinking perhaps how they describe the dish
> on the menu, call and ask, What? Give me some key words and phrases.

Ah, that would be hard to say, if the names of the dishes are identical
to those used in Italy, which is often the case. If I were looking at a
menu, I'd be still be generally able to say if it *looks* authentic, but
I would have no idea if the food really is. "Spaghetti bolognese" or
"spaghetti with meatballs" are a dead giveaway of a non-authentic
restaurant. I've just made a very cursory search for Italian
restaurants in San Diego and it appears that there are likely to be few
authentic ones, if there are any at all. Of course, a lot of
restaurants cannot be found on the Internet. Trattoria La Strada's menu
<http://www.trattorialastrada.com/menu.cfm> appears to have been written
by a real Italian, even if there are obvious allowances for the American
clientele (for example, "Divina Cesare $4.25 Classic Caesar salad in a
light dressing, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Add chicken $3 or shrimp
$5"). Also I have no idea of how they prepare their dishes, even if
they are named correctly.

Victor