For many many years I disliked seafood in CA. Growing up going to Nova Scotia every summer I became very partial to Nova Scotia seafood. It's completely different than seafood from Maine and a whole other world from Pacific seafood.

It's only in the last few years where I have began to appriciate the seafood from its location. Shellfish still must be from the atlantic ocean or Alaska. Pacific lobster is just bleh.

But you think it's hard to find Mexican food in NY? Try Nova Scotia. They think Taco Bell is authentic.

wheeee- fire at a local transformer station. Power is down in a large area- traffic is at a standstill and there is billowing black smoke not too far from my office building.

They are talking about shutting down early- with no light we can't see to work.....*lol* what a mess.

Two of the best meals I've ever had were at Italian places...one in Sevilla, one in Paris.

The food at either was absolutely nothing like Italian food here, nothing like Italian food in New York, and definitely nothing like Italian food in Italy. One was, shockingly, like Italian food in Spain and the other like Italian food in Paris. ALL of those are the same type of cuisine in name only. The key is to get past the preconceptions that come with the name and judge based on whether it tastes good or not, not whether it fits some ideal model.

That's why I usually avoid anything claiming to be "authentic X-style", cause what you're getting is an imitation, not unique cuisine.

Great point GD.

Pad Thai is served on carts in Thailand much like hot dogs are in NY. But here a restaurant's reputation can be built around it.

mmm Pad Thai

The best pizza I've ever had was in Paris. And it was nothing like any pizza I've ever eaten in this country.

That's an interesting subject all of it's own. How pizza came to be (as we 'mericans know it). :snap:

Thank God for regional differences in cuisine. It's hard enough with the homoginization brought about by the ever growing number of chain restaurants.

I miss the croissants of Paris, but I'd hate to have them lost forever to the doughy masses. Besides, that gives me reason to go back to Paris.

Still, I'd rather have a 'Bleh' with drawn butter for dinner than a McSandwich !! :p

You mean a McLobster sandwich?

I think I had one, once. When I was about 7 and didn't know better.

Taco Bell is authentic Taco Bell :)