Keeping it real in Beijing, one slice of tasty pizza at a time

When it comes to cultural exchanges, including culinary ones, I am firmly in favor of staying true to tradition.

And so, in the name of honoring authenticity, I recently participated in a delightful roundtable discussion in Beijing with three Chinese friends, a meeting that helped advance East-West cultural relations in a most delicious way.

Our roundtable exchange was actually conducted at a square table, but our discussion focused on something definitely round: a pair of pizzas baked to perfection - and perfectly authentic. That welcome genuineness was why I invited my friends, two of whom had never tasted pizza before, to Casa Gusto, my favorite Beijing pizzeria.