Yes, you read that correctly, America: the Italians have taken one of our only claims to culinary fame, and perfected it. They do it every time. First, it was cheeseburgers, then brunch… now this? Bastardi!

Creamy, delicious, and a mile high, this cheesecake ai frutti di bosco at Dolce (one of my favorite dessert places in Rome: http://www.dolce-roma.com/home/home_popup.asp#home) beats anything I’ve had in the States. Once again, it’s the freshness of the ingredients that makes the difference.

And I can’t forget to give a nod to its gorgeous neighbor on the left, the millefoglie, which is perhaps my favorite of all Italian dessert staples and always keeps me coming back for more.