| Traditional Italian Menu | | | | Places to Dine in Italy |
| In a traditional Italian menu, there are the | | | | Bars are available for light meals such as a |
| appetizer, first course and second course. Many | | | | sandwich, coffee and pastry or to get ice cream. |
| Italians enjoy their meals for an hour or two, | | | | Unlike bars in America, bars in Italy are not for |
| using the time to fellowship with friends or | | | | drinking alcohol only. For more formal dining, there |
| relatives. They delight in having a delicious, relaxing | | | | are osteria and trattoria (casual eating places). |
| meal, especially at Sunday lunches. | | | | Then, there are restaurants (ristorante). |
| Common Appetizers in Italy | | | | When to Dine in Italy |
| Antipasti (appetizers) in Italy differ from one | | | | Italians usually eat late. Lunch typically doesn't |
| region to the next. You might expect a plate of | | | | begin until 1:00 and dinner is not until 8:00. The |
| cold cuts in one region and something entirely | | | | restaurants close between lunch and dinner, but |
| different in another. There are also appetizer | | | | you might find some that open during this time in |
| buffets at some restaurants where you can pick | | | | popular tourist areas. Most shops are closed for |
| and choose your own appetizers. | | | | several hours in the afternoon. |
| First Course of the Italian Meal (Primo) | | | | Tuscan Cooking |
| The first course of an Italian meal is usually soup, | | | | A visit to Tuscany will send your taste buds |
| risotto (rice dish) or pasta. Pasta choices might | | | | soaring! Tuscan cooks are known for using fresh |
| include several varieties. In Italian pasta dishes, | | | | ingredients, and are also famous for their bread, |
| sauce is de-emphasized and the type of pasta is | | | | which is made without salt. Classic Tuscan dishes |
| the most important aspect of the dish. Americans | | | | include bistecca alla fiorentina (steak), crostini |
| will find pasta dishes in Italy to be much less | | | | (canapes with chicken liver) and cacciucco (fish or |
| saucy than in America. | | | | seafood stew). Chianti wine, olive oil and pecorino |
| Second Course of the Italian Meal (Secondo) | | | | cheese are also common in Tuscan cuisine. |
| Meat, fish or poultry are usually featured in the | | | | Sicily Edibles |
| second course of an Italian meal, without | | | | Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and offers |
| vegetables or potatoes. Vegetarian dishes are | | | | a combination of cuisines handed down by |
| available in some restaurants upon inquiry. | | | | Greeks, Romans, Spanish and several other |
| Side Dishes in Italy | | | | nationalities throughout the years. Seafood, citrus |
| Side dishes include vegetables (verdura), insalata | | | | fruits, herbs and vegetables are popular |
| (salad) or potato. You'll want to order a side dish | | | | ingredients for Sicilian cooking. Among Sicilian |
| with your main course so you'll have vegetables | | | | specialties are eggplants filled with olives and |
| with your meat. | | | | tomatoes, risotto with seafood, roasted swordfish |
| Italian Desserts (Dolce) | | | | and pasta mixed with lobster sauce. Delicious |
| Dolce, or dessert, will be offered after your meal. | | | | Sicilian desserts include gelato (ice cream), cannoli |
| Fruit or cheese might be offered at some | | | | and marzipan. |
| restaurants. Also, a digestivo or cafe is offered | | | | Eating Ice Cream in Italy |
| after dessert. This is an after dinner drink. | | | | Italian ice cream is often called "the best ice |
| Italian Drinks | | | | cream in the world." The word for ice cream in |
| The most common drink with meals in Italy is | | | | Italian is gelato. Buying ice cream in Italy is easy. |
| wine, acqua minerale (mineral water) or vino. You'll | | | | During pleasant weather, you can usually find ice |
| be asked to order your drink before your meal | | | | cream stands on the sidewalks in any tourist |
| usually. A house wine may be available, and is | | | | location. You can also buy ice cream in ice cream |
| usually not very expensive. Coffee is typically not | | | | shops, and in some bars and restaurants. If you |
| served until after your meal. | | | | see a sign that states "gelato fatto en casa," this |
| Paying for Your Italian Meal | | | | means the ice cream is homemade. |
| You'll need to ask the waiter for your bill, even if | | | | There are so many wonderful restaurants and |
| you're there at closing time! How do you ask for | | | | foods in Italy that it's difficult to choose where to |
| the bill? Simple - say "il conto." The prices on the | | | | eat. Even small cafes offer delicious foods! Some |
| menu usually include taxes and service, but there | | | | towns even offer cooking lessons if you want to |
| may be a small cover and bread charge added to | | | | learn how to cook Italian style. No matter where |
| the bill. Leave a few coins for a tip. Keep in mind | | | | you stay during your tour of Italy, be sure to |
| that not all restaurants in Italy accept credit | | | | check out several different restaurants to make |
| cards, so you'll want to keep cash on hand. | | | | the most of your trip. |