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Steven Richardson, Staff Writer, Staff Writer
Eating in Italy is different. Lots of things are the same, of course, like knives, forks, napkins and glasses. An American accumstomed to the local steakhouse is in for a surprise, though.
il Bar
Italians eat very big dinners. Consequently, Italian lunches are often quick bites. Walking down a street in Florence or Venice, you will often see bars with large glass counters, displaying stacks of pre-made sandwiches or calzones. Purchasing one is usually a matter of pointing and paying. I suggest taking your sandwich to a nearby bench or park, and watching the city move around you.
Pizzeria
Pizzerias often times sell pizza as well as other dishes more characteristic of a trattoria or ristorante. A pizzeria can be an excellent compromise if you are traveling with children (who would prefer pizza to squid ink pasta) or in a party with diverse appetities.
The Big Time Ristorante:
Sitting down to a full Italian meal requires several choices on your part. First, you must select something to drink. You are almost always guaranteed a selection of a number ofwines. Try something local. In most restaurants, things like Coca-Cola and lemonade can also be obtained. If you order water, be sure and specify that you want Acqua Naturale, no fizz. It will come in a glass bottle, or a carafe.
Next one must select an antipasti. Antipasti can range from bruschetta (toasted bread with tomatoes and basil) to carpaccio (raw, cured beef with parmesan cheese) to fresh seafood, all depending on the particular restaurant and it's location. Usually a basket of bread will be brought to you as well.
Then, a primi piatti will be selected. This is your first dish, and is usually a rice or pasta dish. Try a seafood risotto, or gnocchi in a sauce of Gorgonzola. When this plate comes, be careful not to eat to much. Remember, you've still got a few more dishes coming.
After your primi piatti, it will be time for your secondo piatti. This is the plate of meat or fish. These second plates can vary widely, from the traditional Florentine T-Bone, to grilled chicken, to a variety of seafoods.
After that mountain of food, you can choose to slow things down a bit, with a salad, or formaggio misti - mixed cheeses.
Save room, though, for dessert. Often times restaurants will have a house special. Try a tiramisu, or a gelato. Savor it, for it is the last thing you will need to eat for a week or so.
You can ask politely for your bill and pay the waiter (only a rude waiter would bring your bill without asking him to), or you can stick around for a bit. Have another glass of wine, or the sweet fire of a lemoncello (A drink somewhere between lemonade and straight alcohol). Either way, you'll probably be smiling.
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