Italian Idyll
Eating Out
Eating Out
EATING OUT
Eating out is an almost religious institution for Italians- it’s always on their minds and most conversations revolve around eating and food. Like so many things in Italy eating is done to a formula:- Antipasto is followed by Primo, followed by Secondo and finally Dolce and Caffe. However, this does not mean that you have to have a four course meal every time you eat out. The ‘rules’ have relaxed recently and it is perfectly ok to have just one course of your choice if you wish. Though the quality of cooking is such, that it is hard to resist at least two courses. Restaurants are normally happy to share one order between two diners ‘uno per due’.
Be Brave!
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Be Brave! don’t be put off by the lack of signs and menus or the excessive fluorescent lighting and dubious art works which afflict a large number of Italian restaurants - these aesthetically challenged places serve the most delicious and interesting food.
Lunch rarely begins before 12.30,
Dinner 8.00pm and Pizza normally only after 8.00pm.
Order of Play: Starters followed by Pasta Course
ANTIPASTO:
This starter course usually consists of a selection of Salami, Prosciutto, Cheese and Olives (often all home produced).A mixed starter ‘misto’ often has house specialities like Frittata, Bean Salad, Bruschetta and Crostini. Often one plate of ‘misto’ will feed two. Bread is often a surprising let down and is served with oil and salt for a reason.
Whilst when in season (June-August), Parma Ham and Melon (Prosciutto e Melone) is superb.
PRIMO:
Normally the pasta course though risotto is sometimes available.
Often there is no menu so the waiter will rabbit through the list of sauces then the list of pasta. Don’t be afraid to ask him/her to repeat more slowly (‘piano piano’). If you choose the ‘wrong’ sauce for a particular pasta e.g. boscaiola with spaghetti, the waiter will look to heaven and make a noise. If this un-nerves you enough, just ask what would the waiter recommend. Spaghetti Bolognese is never seen outside Bologna, over here it is called Spaghetti a Ragu and isn’t a patch on the British version. Pasta is often home-made, served in huge portions but surprisingly light. Risotto is best avoided except in the better restaurants- it’s a Northern dish and still a bit of a novelty here.
Meat Course & Pudding
SECONDO:
Meat or fish course: often just a single cut of meat such as a steak, a chop, a cutlet, an escalope or a fish. The waiter will tell you if it comes with a sauce; the smarter the restaurant the grander the sauce. Simple mixed grills alla brace are simple and delicious. The cuts are cooked over vine and olive embers on a barbeque.
Vegetables are served very separately. Stews available during the colder months.
DOLCE:
Puddings are invariable homemade, brightly coloured and rich- so save room.
Zuppa Inglese (Literally English Soup but in reality a glow-in-the-dark trifle), Tiramisu and Zbaglione are very sweet whilst Sorbetto, Semifreddo and Granita are more cleansing. Delicious fresh fruit is available in season such as peaches and watermelon. One could write a book about the joys of Italian Ice Cream.
Take Your Time...
CAFFE:
coffee means espresso- a short, sharp shock of caffeine. Cappuccino, after a meal, raises a few eyebrows because it is traditionally the coffee of breakfast time only.
DIGESTIVO:
Sticky, super strength, medicinal liqueurs often round off a meal. Amaro is bittersweet, Limoncello is a lemon liqueur straight from the freezer, Grappa is a mind blowing spirit from grape-must and Mistra is from aniseed and sometimes served in your coffee as ‘corretto’.
MERENDE (SNACKS):
Bars are the best places to pick up a delicious Piadina, Panini or slice of Pizza (bakers are good, too).Sandwiches are normally bland, sometimes offensive. Porcetta rolls (Roast Pork with Fennel) are excellent and available from butchers.
Something for Everyone
CHILDREN: Kids always eat out with their parents here and eat the same as the adults. Kids’ menus don’t exist but staff are always happy to rustle something plain and simple up to keep the little ones happy.
VEGETARIANS: With the exception of the Secondo course, non-meat eaters should normally be able to find some delicious dishes available. It’s best to ask what dishes don’t contain meat rather than asking for Vegetarian dishes as the V word does tend to fluster a lot of waiters.