Trips to Italy have ruined Italian food for me here in America. I havent had pizza since last Dec in Italy... cant eat that crap here.
$20 in a non touristy area will get you: a bowl of the best pasta ever, a glass of excellent red house wine (no need to upgrade), and a tiramisu. No tipping required.
French food is awesome also (I love snails!). Their ability to make simple dishes into awesomeness with sauces is unparcelled.
One major disappointment: while in Germany last summer, I found out that "Black Forest Cake" doesnt actually exist. I tried to find it in Baden-Baden (which is actually in the Black Forest area) and all of the folks I asked basically said its an American creation. Bummer... cause its awesome lol.
In the Cincy area most of the Italian food is crap (Pompilio's in Newport is a joke)... Scotti's and VV Italian (run by a woman from Puglia) are pretty legit, however.