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Our Favorite Traditional Italian Foods (and Where to Get Them!)

Looking for the best traditional Italian foods to try during your next trip to Italy? Take it from us- we know all the best traditional Italian foods from each region of the beautiful country.  Check out our list below:

Pizza

Arguably the most iconic symbol of Italian food is the pizza.  What many may not know is that the modern development of pizza is argued to have originated in Naples after poor locals began using tomato as a topping on their yeast-based flat bread.  The dish slowly began gaining popularity in the early 1800s.

Most true Italians will argue that there are two different types of pizza — the marinara and the margherita.  The ‘marinara’ pizza is a flatbread pizza topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. La marinara refers to the seaman’s wife, who is traditionally known as the one to cook and prepare this meal for when her husband returns from the Bay of Naples.  The ‘margherita’ is a flatbread pizza topped with a light spread of tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. As the story goes, Raffaele Esposito baked several special pizzas for King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889 while the two were passing through.  The Queen’s favorite was the one that captured true Italian patriotism, symbolizing the Italian flag. The basil leaves represented the green, the mozzarella was the white, and the tomatoes of course represented the red. In honor of how much Queen Margherita enjoyed this pizza, the creation was named ‘margherita’ pizza.

Due to its popularity, pizza can be found on nearly every street in Italy.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that every restaurant has great pizza however.  The general rule of thumb for ordering pizza in Italy is ‘less is more,’ in terms of toppings.  Italians traditionally like more natural flavors and believe that adding more will distract from the true beauty of the meal.

Best place to get it: Naples

Florentine Steak

When most people think of Italian cooking, steak isn’t usually one of the first traditional Italian foods to come to mind.  However, bistecca alla Fiorentina, is actually one of the most famous traditional Italian dishes in the city of Florence.  For all the meat lovers out there, this unique dish will make your mouth water.

Florentine steak has a very specific preparation.  The Porterhouse cut between the sirloin and tenderloin, or the costata, must come solely from the loin near the shoulder of the Chianina cow, which is raised in Tuscany.  The 5 centimeter-thick T-bone is cooked for 5 to 7 minutes on each side over a wooden fire until the outside is cooked, while the inside remains a dark red, tender rare.

Unlike the pizza, this Italian dish should be exclusively order within the Tuscan region, whether that be in the heart of Florence or more in the countryside.  Another unique aspect about this Italian dish, is that it’s meant to be shared. Italians customarily look down upon sharing food, but this 1-2 kg item, they’ll make an exception.  

One of the best restaurants within the heart of Florence is Ristorante Perseus, located near Piazza della Libertà and Piazza Savonarola.  Most people order the steak with a side of the crispy roasted potatoes.

Best place to get it: Florence

Risotto

Northern Italy is known for its delicious, creamy rice bowls known as risotto.  Arborio and Carnaroli are two of the most common varieties grown in the expansive rice paddies found in Italy.  To make risotto, rice is cooked in stock and mixed into a velvety consistency. Sometimes vegetables, seafood, porcini mushrooms, or sausage may be added to intensify flavors.

Saffron-infused risotto alla milanese is arguably the most famous type of risotto.  This dish is made with meat stock, bone marrow, cheese, and of course, saffron, giving the creamy soup-like meal a yellow tint.

Best place to get it: Milan

Gelato

If you go to Italy and don’t get at least one or two scoops of gelato a day, did you even enjoy yourself? 

Like pizza, gelato can be found everywhere in Italy.  When seeking to find the perfect gelato, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.  Look at the material of the containers the gelato is being stored in. If the gelato is in a silver or metal circular container, that usually indicates the gelato is freshly made.  True artisan gelato is slowly-churned to ensure an intense flavor and creamy texture. Gelato isn’t made for long-term storage, so stay away from the white or plastic containers. In addition, look at the actual color of the gelato — are they neon or natural tones?  If the fruit flavors (strawberry or fragola for example) are in season, they should be bright in color as good gelato is made with real, natural ingredients.

Best place to get it: Sicily

If you’d like to try some of these traditional Italian foods right here in Los Angeles, come join us at Spumoni Restaurants! Buon appetito!

Book your reservation today here: http://www.spumonirestaurants.com/reservation/

Our locations are listed below.

Santa Monica

713 Montana Ave. 

Santa Monica, California

90403 United States

(310) 393-2944

Sherman Oaks

14533 Ventura Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, California

91403 United States

Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks

1714 Newbury Rd.

Newbury Park, California

91320 United States

Best Italian Food Catering in Los Angeles

spumoni-catering

Here at Spumoni Restaurants, we offer catering services for your private event. Whether that being a corporate event, special event, office luncheon, or any kind of party you are planning on throwing, Spumoni can bring its catering services and make sure your guests don’t walk away with empty bellies! We offer a large selection of Italian dishes and foods to choose from, everything from vegan, gluten free, we have the foods to cover your guest’s special needs.

Getting catering services from Spumoni is very easy, all you need to do is put down your order online! With just a click of your fingertips, you’re getting the party rolling by bringing the best Italian catering to your event.

Salads and Appetizers

We offer many different types of Salads. Our Italian salad is made from Romaine and iceberg lettuce with marinated carrots. Topped off with garbanzo beans, roma tomatoes, and a delicious vinaigrette dressing to guarantee the most authentic Italian taste. Another favorite is the grilled salmon salad. It consists of grilled salmon over mixed greens, artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes and topped off with a creamy balsamic dressing. Our large bowl servings serve 10-15 people, while our full tray servings serve 16-20 people.

Another good appetizer to get is the Spumoni Appetizer Platter. It comes with a combination of cured meat cheeses with olives and artichoke hearts. This is the perfect appetizer to start, paired with some white wine, you will definitely awe your guests with the authentic Italian taste.

Entrees

Our grilled lamb chops come in two sizes;  a 1/2 tray that serves 12-15 people, and a full tray that serves 16-20 people. The lamb chops are grilled to perfection, topped with red wine marsala wine sauce. The juiciness of the meat paired with the taste of red wine is heavenly to say the least. Another good entree is the Scampi al Limone Scampi Fradiavola. This is the classic shrimp scampi dish, made with jumbo tiger shrimps in a spicy tomato sauce. If you are looking for freshness, you can taste the sea from the giant tiger shrimps, paired with the spicy tomato sauce the dish has a nice kick to it too.

Other Entree options include veal, chicken, salmon and sole. If you are looking for seafood, we highly recommend the Cioppino Mediterraneo. It is fresh fish, clams, mussels, calamari and shrimp cooked in a light tomato broth. This dish paired with some bread is the ultimate snack. Each bite in to the seafood you can taste why Spumoni has the best Italian catering in Los Angeles.

Other Traditional Italian Dishes

Look no further than Spumoni catering services. We have other authentic Italian tastes such as pastas and pizzas. We have a large selections of raviolis, lasagnas, bolognese, and pescatore options. Ingredients such as fresh cheese, clams, mushrooms will surely amaze you with the wonderful flavors we pack in these dishes! A half tray of pasta serves 10-15 people, while a full tray can serve up to 20 people.

We also have gluten-free New York Style pizzas available for those with the restricted diets. A medium 12″ has 6 slices, and a large 16″ has 8 slices. Some toppings to choose from include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, olives, eggplant, garlic, salami, meatballs, anchovy, Canadian bacon and pineapple, chicken, pesto, capers, goat cheese, feta cheese, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, prosciutto and smoked mozzarella. Not enough options for you? Give us a call or go online to see for yourself.

 

By the way, your first catering is free! Call us and we will provide lunch for 4 people! (1 pasta, salad, bread and drinks included). So if you are still thinking about having Italian food catered to your private event or luncheon, call us and we will make it happen!

Great Tasting Tiramisu

besttiramisu

Spumoni is a popular Italian cafe and pizzeria with several locations in the Los Angeles area. Spumoni has great tasting tiramisu. Spumoni’s  tiramisu has traditional Italian flavors. If you love tiramisu, you should try tiramisu from an authentic Italian restaurant.

Best Brentwood Restaurants

Among the best Brentwood restaurants includes Spumoni, an Italian restaurant. Unlike most Brentwood restaurants, Spumoni provides the convenience of ordering take-out or ordering delivery online. Continuing the distinction between other Brentwood restaurants,this Italian restaurant also accepts the online coupons on this site simply mentioning the discount. View the online menu and select from your favorite Italian dish then find out why this is Brentwood restaurant is a local favorite.

Delicious Los Angeles Delivery

Spumoni is an Italian restaurant that offers Los Angeles delivery from numerous locations. Spumoni has several restaurants offering Los Angeles delivery. Choose a location nearest to you and order your favorite Italian dishes for Los Angeles delivery. Los Angeles delivery has never been so delicious.

Free Italian Restaurant Coupons

Get your free Italian restaurant coupons on the Spumoni website. These free Italian restaurant coupons merely need to be mentioned whilst your dining to receive the discount. Select your favorite Italian dish from the extensive menu items. Visit the nearest Spumoni location to you and take advantage of their free Italian restaurant coupons .

Caterers In Los Angeles

Spumoni is a traditional Italian restaurant that has their caterers in Los Angeles ready to cater your next event. With multiple locations in the Los Angeles area, Spumoni has the means and the caterers in Los Angeles to cater any event. Select any of your favorite Italian dishes from Spumoni’s extensive menu. Make your next event a special one with traditional flavors from Italy.

Los Angeles Catering

Spumoni offers Los Angles catering. Spumoni is a well established Italian cafe and pizzeria. This local favorite Italian restaurant has several locations in the Los Angles area ready to provide their Los Angles catering services for any event. Make your next event a special one by having traditional flavors of Italy catered to you.

Catering Los Angeles

Spumoni is a popular Italian restaurant that has been catering Los Angeles for quite some time. Catering Los Angeles with some of the best Italian food is easy for this establishment with there multiple locations in Los Angeles. Catering Los Angeles for any event, Spumoni makes it a memorable one. Bring traditional Italian flavors to your next special event.

Free Restaurant Coupons

Free restaurant coupons are available on the Spumoni website. These free restaurant coupons do not even need to be printed and brought in. All you have to do is mention the free restaurant coupon to receive your discount. Spumoni is a local favorite Italian restaurant that offers savory Italian food at affordable prices. Use the free restaurant coupons at any of the several Spumoni restaurants in Los Angeles area.

Free Restaurant Coupon

Take advantage of the free restaurant coupon on the Spumoni website. You don’t even need to print and cut out the free restaurant coupon. Simply mention the free restaurant coupon and you will receive a discount on your meal. Spumoni is a quality Italian restaurant that offers great tasting Italian food at good prices. Use the free restaurant coupon at one of the many Los Angeles Spumoni locations.

Great Tasting Santa Monica Fish

Spumoni is a local favorite Italian restaurant with multiple locations in the Los Angeles area, including Santa Monica. If you want great tasting Santa Monica fish, visit Spumoni. Spumoni offers Santa Monica fish of the day which is enhanced with traditional flavors of Italy. The great testing Santa Monica fish of the day is served with pasta marinara and mixed vegetable, and your choice of soup or salad.

Try The Fish Of The Day

Spumoni is an Italian restaurant that has an extensive menu. If you like fish and find yourself hungry in the Los Angeles area, there are several Spumoni locations that prepare the fish of the day with traditional Italian flavors. Regardless of what the actual fish of the day is you can be assured that it will taste great. The fish of the day is served with pasta marinara and mix vegetables with your choice of soup or salad.

Best Chicken Masala

Spumoni is a popular Italian restaurant with several locations in the Los Angeles area. Spumoni serves the best chicken masala in town with a double chicken breast, mushrooms and a delectable masala wine sauce over a bed of pasta. The chicken masala will not disappoint. Come for the Italian food and stay for the ambiance!

Best Chicken Marsala

Due to the building fire, our Santa Monica location will be closed and will reopen as soon as possible. Please visit our nearby Pacific Palisades restaurant, Ritrovo (piccoloritrovo.com or 310.454.2243) and receive 30% off (Dine in Only) when you mention
Spumoni.
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