I was in Rome, Maranello, Modena, Bologna, and Venice in 2006. Pertty sure I ate there during that journey. In fact I remember eating a lot.
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Not all "Authentic" Italian food tastes the same, I even had some stuff in Italy I didn't like. Pretty sure eating in country makes it "Authentic". You are being a snob and basing you opinion on a family recipe that has a strong immigrant population in OHIO. Don't go to Italy you will be disappointed.
And yes LaScala is good. So are the others mentioned. I'd say the only place I wouldn't spend my money is Olive Garden. And at that is not because of food, it's the hometown buffet of Italian restaurants and the people it attracts.
I would love to retire and live there. In Rome a 1 liter botle of Coca-Cola was 10 euro, a bottle of Red Wine was 3.50 euro. I want to go back.