one of my favorite pasta dishes i had in Italy is really easy to recreate...

its just plum tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, a tiny bit of red wine vinegar, on top of penne... tossed in a frying pan just for a minute... and served cold

fucking delcious.

6/17/2007 7:37:48 PM

If you get a chance, go check out Capri Flavors in Cary...they import all kinds of foodstuff straight from Italy. I think their biggest customers are local restaurants and caterers, but they have a nice store for regular old consumers. They also offer cooking classes.

http://www.capriflavors.com/

Also, not sure if it's been mentioned, but Conti's in downtown is a pretty authentic Italian market as well; in fact, the Gelato place that used to be on Hillsborough relocated to that store

http://tinyurl.com/yvjsq9 (no rickroll)

6/17/2007 9:50:10 PM

the pepperoni personal pan pizza at Subway is pretty killer. Seriously though, I really enjoyed
Casalinga (on Capitol Blvd. in some strip mall somewhere), particularly the tortilini, very tasty.

6/17/2007 10:08:48 PM

FYI, I just went to Trader Joe's and they sell Gnocchi for $2.99 and pesto for $2.79. I haven't tried it yet, but those are great prices!

6/18/2007 3:01:48 PM

i was disappointed in TJ's gnocchi

6/18/2007 3:29:08 PM

I hope you like Mexican cooking that's the closest thing you're getting to an Italian chef, 'ere.

6/18/2007 10:08:02 PM

I'm pretty fucking sure you don't have to be from Italy to cook italian.

Dipshit.

6/19/2007 12:39:02 AM

"How to Make Gnocchi like an Italian Grandmother"

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/how-to-make-gnocchi-like-an-italian-grandmother-recipe.html

6/19/2007 11:46:10 AM

elkaybie: I was disappointed with TJ's gnocchi also. The stuff I bought at Da Vinci's was much better. I didn't really like TJ's pesto either. However, their Greek yogurt is great

Thanks for the recipe... I've been considering making it myself.

[Edited on June 19, 2007 at 12:07 PM. Reason : ]

6/19/2007 12:04:39 PM

Fuck, now I want pizza .

6/19/2007 2:07:28 PM

Sylvia's Pizza on Hillsborough St. is the shit. To my knowledge, he's the only by-the-slice place on the st. that sells beer too. His entire menu is good and the staff is incredibly friendly.

6/20/2007 7:47:33 AM

As far as I can tell, Mellow Mushroom owns all other Raleigh establishments in pizza-making ability. But it's not really an Italian restaurant. There's a place called Mama Mia's in Cary (right near Preston) that's the bomb; their primavera pasta is the best food I've had in several months.

6/20/2007 10:57:29 AM

Quote :

"MetalRed was I right in remembering/thinking that Conti's also has a small buffet that you can order pizza by the slice or other pasta dishes? or did I seriously make all that up? I'm 80% sure they had pizza slices, but the pasta may have been imagined."

I dont remember if they had pizza or not. They have a deli counter with some damn good meats and cheeses, and i know they'll make sandwiches for you. I think they have some other things like salads and stuff, but i never really payed much attention to anything else. I mostly just go there for fresh pastas, wines, cheeses, and the occasional bottle of aceto balsamico

Quote :

"it's fucking pasta with sauce and meat and cheese who gives a shit it's not that bad... not my fav place either, but I don't hate on them"

Its not a question of it tasting authentic. Its a question of it simply tasting good. It IS just pasta meat and sauce....and they still manage to fuck that up.

[Edited on June 20, 2007 at 11:38 AM. Reason : ]

6/20/2007 11:36:54 AM

Capri in NorthRaleigh......in the same shopping center as Winstons.....best italian food I've ever had.....the owners/cooks (italian immigrants) are there every day and walk around and talk with everyone too...

6/21/2007 12:06:09 PM

the best place for authentic italian food is Ciao Cafe and Wine Bar at 201 W Chatham St in Cary, NC.

small place but the food is excellent

6/21/2007 12:22:22 PM

Quote :

"There's a place called Mama Mia's in Cary (right near Preston) that's the bomb; their primavera pasta is the best food I've had in several months."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

that's the old Chuck 'Ems

6/21/2007 12:44:19 PM

ruckus, cicis, and amores are all good options

6/21/2007 1:44:15 PM

holy shit i've changed my mind about the olive garden. try their lasagna.

6/24/2007 7:46:41 PM