"Great" Italian Food, Does it Exist?

The other day, Lisa and I went out to eat at yet another ‘great’ Italian restaurant.  And yet again, we walked away completely unsatisfied and revolted at what we paid for.  Maybe there are other factors at work, or maybe I’m just insane, but I have yet to have any type of Italian food that even comes close to what I can make out of a can at home.

From previous posts, most know that I am a decent amateur cook, but I don’t claim I’m the best.  I can make some spaghetti that people absolutely love, sure, but I’ve always figured everyone could.  Lisa and I watch Master Chef, and Lisa thinks I could be on that show, but I’m blown away by what those people can cook.  But in the end, there’s the premise.  Have amateur cooks make restaurant quality food.

A Fine Dining Lie

Maybe its just because I’ve traveled a bit....  That has to be it, because...when I think of Fine Dining, I don’t think of a crowded hole in the wall, waiting an hour on food, greasy food that I end up throwing up when I get home, or over peppered chicken that drowns out any other flavors that may have been there.

Part of me wonders if its just the city itself, its not a very big city, but it really seems to try (and fail) at certain things.  The weird thing is, people eat up this ‘fancy’ talk and really give these places awesome reviews....