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Annexes's avatar

Glad it wasn't just me..! Found most of the food in Venice thoroughly underwhelming and this has been a theme throughout the major Italian cities I've visited - but only whenever I was without Italian supervision. I'd pick French over Italian any day in a restaurant but probably Italian over French when at someone's home.

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Otis Hagen Chevalier's avatar

The Italian supervision is what I needed! The major cities are so used to tourists I think they just pump out pasta for the masses. I need to dig into more regional cuisine, maybe next time I just throw myself into a small derelict village and and keep my fingers crossed.

Someone’s home cooked food will almost always be magical, because they really put in the love. As cheesy as can be, but that matters.

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Gillian Longworth McGuire's avatar

This is the constant lament. There is just so much mediocre expensive food here. I live in Venice & I find it a challenge. You have to be ruthless with your research & not go off piste. (Rome is much much easier)

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Otis Hagen Chevalier's avatar

Rome is so much easier! I found that Italians in general are very welcoming to families and welcome little ones with pleasure, that I almost love more than the food. ❤️

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Thomas Cleary's avatar

Do what experienced diners do - ask the people who live there where they go to eat and what they enjoy about those places.

(BTW I’m familiar with Vodou. There is no such thing as sticking pins in a doll. That’s entirely a Hollywood concoction.)

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Otis Hagen Chevalier's avatar

Good point and that’s also what we did. The recommendation brought us to an affordable place where the food was OK. Our waiter had a strong cowlick and when the table next to us asked if there were any specials he said: “Our specials tonight are… No we have nothing!” Which cracked me up.

My preferred variant of asking the locals for restaurant tips is to hop in a taxi and ask the driver where they would bring their mother for a birthday dinner. That usually comes up with something lovely. My waistline proves my dining strategy and history 🫠

About the Vodou aspect that is wild to learn and I’m going to dive into the myth of it. Thanks for sharing!

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Lana-Emerald Mary Astin's avatar

"I want one massive gnocchi from them to use as my pillow" 👌 😌

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