11/27   So I've been told that Italian restaurants in the bay area are
        nowhere close to being authentic. Given the hundreds of
        restaurants out there, I find this hard to believe. Can someone
        (preferably someone who's Italian or who's lived there) comment
        on which restaurants come close?
        \_ A16 in the Marina District (SF)
        \_ Who gives a shit?  Are you Italian?  Homesickness seems like
           the only good reason to try to make sure your food is "authentic"
           aside from being a jackass culture snob of course (see below.)
           \_ I guess you get your international culinary kicks from Taco
              Bell.  -John
           \_ Ironic. The jackass accusing others of being a jackass.
              \_ Not really. I'm a cultural neandrathal jackass accusing
              \_ Not really. I'm a cultural neanderthal jackass accusing
                 other people of being culture snob jackasses.  There's a
                 difference.
        \_ C'mon. Are Chinese in SF/Bay Area restaurants authentic?
           \_ Absolutely, as long as you don't hang out at P.F. Chiang.
              You're obviously not Chinese if you can't tell the difference.
              \_ Are you Chinese?  Do you have any idea of the effect of the
                 food trade on the Bay Area?
                 \_ You've obviously never served (Chinese food).
              \_ You are an IDIOT.
           \_ You can certainly find authentic Chinese restaurants in the
              SF/Bay Area.
           \_ Any Chinese restaurants that serve fortune cookies are not
              authentic.  Any southern Chinese restaurants that serve hot and
              sour soup are not authentic.
        \_ Pick one of Macella Hazan's cookbooks and take a gander.  Italian
           food does not mean tomato sauce flavored of garlic on top of pasta.
        \_ I have not been to an Italian restaurant in the Bay Area which
           serves meals in the way that is typical in Italy.  Generally,
           in Italy you start with an antipasti plate or bruschetta, then
           you have a "primi piatti" (often a pasta, smaller than the pasta
           plates served in the U.S.), a "secundi" (fish or meat), and then
           often a salad to finish.  Generally you're not served bread unless
           you order bruschetta.
           I think there are a number of places which serve food which is
           similar to what you'd get in a restaurant in Italy, but I've not
           encountered one which serves similar-sized portions and courses.
            -tom
           \_ Or which has middle-aged Italian men hitting on desperate fugly
              American tourist chicks.  -John
                \_ mmm, desperate chicks...
           \_ this is true, but you can get food that tastes similar to
              italian restaurants. of course, italian restaurants and italian
              families serve food differently and also taste different.
              \_ MMmmm, I like my Italian families with some fava beans and a
                 nice Chianti.