Garlic bread can be associated with the many invented foods outside Italian territory. There is no bread specifically called "Garlic Bread."
And how it is made is even more of a clue that it has not been born in Italy. A toasted bread smothered in butter with added bits of garlic, and topped with cheese-- is not an Italian creation.
On the other hand, Italians make one thing that can be similar but not exactly the same; the bruschetta. The method of making it though is different. Italians use olive oil, and do not leave pieces of garlic to linger on the bread while it is put in the oven to toast. The bread is toasted slowly on a grill or in an oven, then taken out. Thus, you rub the bread with a clove of fresh garlic and lightly salt it--and violà! There you have the Italian version of Garlic bread.:p

Jacqueline,

I ate bruschetta almost every day for lunch in Italy this summer. I know it's not considered a main course, but with a glass of wine, it sure is yummy, and with all the different spreads that are now put on toasted bread (probably for tourists - :) ) I never got bored.

Teresa