Have you ever wanted to taste your favorite food in the country of its origin and felt total disappointment? Well, we did! Please don’t be misled by the image used. This is how a true carbonara usually looks when served in a restaurant in Italy.
Carbonara is a popular Italian spaghetti dish that we do not think needs any introduction.
That said let us start by repeating that Carbonara is most certainly NOT spaghetti with scrambled eggs.
We know that carbonara is cooked in a variety of ways around the world. Even if it shouldn’t!
Understandably enough each one of us tries to make things simpler so as long as you are not in Italy everything can be excused.
But when in Italy we expect to eat the real thing. And the keyword here is “expects”. But as with everything else in real life, expectations can just remain expectations.
Here is how the story goes.
Not very long ago but before the pandemic started, we were in Sicily. Specifically in Ortigia. No surprise by the destination.
After a recommendation from a local that we thought was a trustworthy source, we headed to the restaurant he recommended. A restaurant close to the fountain of Arethusa offers beautiful sea views. As we were told this place was unique and we should also visit its interiors because a very pleasing surprise was expecting us.
So we did. We walked to the restaurant which at first sight looked fine. We were received with cordiality and as soon as we mentioned who introduced us, we were offered a tour of the interiors and the basement. Definitely worth seeing the Vecchio Lavatoio.
Then we were escorted to our table, ordered our food, and started enjoying our drinks.
The restaurant was busy even if it was quite early for dinner. Its location, overlooking the Ionian Sea is perfect. Travelers from all over the world were enjoying their meals so the wait was a bit longer than expected. No problem so far.
After a wait of 40 to 50 minutes, the time arrived for us to enjoy our first Italian dinner of this trip.
We were happy and excited when we notice the waiter coming toward us with our food. Unfortunately at the same time, we were shocked. And somewhat worried. The dishes we ordered were topped with some green leaves, slices of lemon, and on the side a dark balsamic sauce. Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare in Italy served as such left us speechless.. This was not our first trip to Italy. Nor the first Italian restaurant or trattoria that we had a meal at. The image below speaks for everything.
Not long after the first shock, here comes the second and greatest one. The famous carbonara we ordered was brought to us. At least that is what the waiter said it was.
What we actually saw was a plate with something that looked totally abominable. A mixture of badly made scrambled eggs not well cooked, spaghetti, excess olive oil, and garlic all covered with green leaves again.
The smell of uncooked eggs was horrible. Anyone could just feel sick by the looks and smell of the dish. So in perfect Italian, we asked the waiter if he was sure that the last dish was the carbonara we had ordered. And we got a reply that we will never ever forget. “Of course it is. This is how Carbonara is made all over Italy and you should know it since you ordered it.”
We can assure you that this is NOT how carbonara is made in Italy. You can ask any Italian anywhere they may be in the world.
As for the photos used, we just chose not to share the carbonara that we got served since this was just a bad experience in a tourist trap.
All of Sicily, Siracusa, and Ortigia included, have amazing restaurants and trattorias and above all the most delicious food. So go, enjoy, and by no means feel discouraged by our sad experience.
Our piece of advice is to avoid touristy places if you can, as well as all recommendations coming from non-professional accommodation owners who send you to a place because they just get a major commission out of what you spend there.