| Traditional Italian MenuIn a traditional Italian menu, | | | | also famous for their bread, which is made |
| there are the appetizer, first course and second | | | | without salt. Classic Tuscan dishes include bistecca |
| course. Many Italians enjoy their meals for an | | | | alla fiorentina (steak), crostini (canapes with |
| hour or two, using the time to fellowship with | | | | chicken liver) and cacciucco (fish or seafood |
| friends or relatives. They delight in having a | | | | stew). Chianti wine, olive oil and pecorino cheese |
| delicious, relaxing meal, especially at Sunday | | | | are also common in Tuscan cuisine.Sicily |
| lunches.Common Appetizers in ItalyAntipasti | | | | EdiblesSicily is the largest Mediterranean island and |
| (appetizers) in Italy differ from one region to the | | | | offers a combination of cuisines handed down by |
| next. You might expect a plate of cold cuts in one | | | | Greeks, Romans, Spanish and several other |
| region and something entirely different in another. | | | | nationalities throughout the years. Seafood, citrus |
| There are also appetizer buffets at some | | | | fruits, herbs and vegetables are popular |
| restaurants where you can pick and choose your | | | | ingredients for Sicilian cooking. Among Sicilian |
| own appetizers.First Course of the Italian Meal | | | | specialties are eggplants filled with olives and |
| (Primo)The first course of an Italian meal is usually | | | | tomatoes, risotto with seafood, roasted swordfish |
| soup, risotto (rice dish) or pasta. Pasta choices | | | | and pasta mixed with lobster sauce. Delicious |
| might include several varieties. In Italian pasta | | | | Sicilian desserts include gelato (ice cream), cannoli |
| dishes, sauce is de-emphasized and the type of | | | | and marzipan.Eating Ice Cream in ItalyItalian ice |
| pasta is the most important aspect of the dish. | | | | cream is often called "the best ice cream in the |
| Americans will find pasta dishes in Italy to be | | | | world." The word for ice cream in Italian is gelato. |
| much less saucy than in America.Second Course | | | | Buying ice cream in Italy is easy. During pleasant |
| of the Italian Meal (Secondo)Meat, fish or poultry | | | | weather, you can usually find ice cream stands on |
| are usually featured in the second course of an | | | | the sidewalks in any tourist location. You can also |
| Italian meal, without vegetables or potatoes. | | | | buy ice cream in ice cream shops, and in some |
| Vegetarian dishes are available in some | | | | bars and restaurants. If you see a sign that |
| restaurants upon inquiry.Side Dishes in ItalySide | | | | states "gelato fatto en casa," this means the ice |
| dishes include vegetables (verdura), insalata (salad) | | | | cream is homemade.There are so many |
| or potato. You'll want to order a side dish with | | | | wonderful restaurants and foods in Italy that it's |
| your main course so you'll have vegetables with | | | | difficult to choose where to eat. Even small cafes |
| your meat.Italian Desserts (Dolce)Dolce, or | | | | offer delicious foods! Some towns even offer |
| dessert, will be offered after your meal. Fruit or | | | | cooking lessons if you want to learn how to cook |
| cheese might be offered at some restaurants. | | | | Italian style. No matter where you stay during |
| Also, a digestivo or cafe is offered after dessert. | | | | your tour of Italy, be sure to check out several |
| This is an after dinner drink.Italian DrinksThe most | | | | different restaurants to make the most of your |
| common drink with meals in Italy is wine, acqua | | | | trip.You can find international cell phones and |
| minerale (mineral water) or vino. You'll be asked to | | | | service for Italy from Free incoming calls from all |
| order your drink before your meal usually. A | | | | countries night and day and calling the states is |
| house wine may be available, and is usually not | | | | just US $.60 per minute! They rent and sell |
| very expensive. Coffee is typically not served | | | | phones and satellite phones as well.John Dulaney, |
| until after your meal.Paying for Your Italian | | | | born Dec. 11th, 1946, married with children. |
| MealYou'll need to ask the waiter for your bill, | | | | Living most years since 1969 outside the USA |
| even if you're there at closing time! How do you | | | | and working in motion pictures since 1965 I |
| ask for the bill? Simple - say "il conto." The prices | | | | started with my wife, Jojo, in March of 1994 in |
| on the menu usually include taxes and service, but | | | | San Francisco, Ca. |
| there may be a small cover and bread charge | | | | I've lived in or been to approximately 36 |
| added to the bill. Leave a few coins for a tip. | | | | countries and have lived under Democracies, |
| Keep in mind that not all restaurants in Italy | | | | Socialism, Communism, dictatorships, kingdoms |
| accept credit cards, so you'll want to keep cash | | | | and others. There is nothing like home. |
| on hand.Places to Dine in ItalyBars are available for | | | | I participated at Channel Four in Manila, Philippines |
| light meals such as a sandwich, coffee and pastry | | | | during the "People Power Revolution" and stood, |
| or to get ice cream. Unlike bars in America, bars | | | | with my wife's brother, along with half a million |
| in Italy are not for drinking alcohol only. For more | | | | others against the threat of tank attack. |
| formal dining, there are osteria and trattoria | | | | I have witnessed the ruinous effects of Socialism |
| (casual eating places). Then, there are restaurants | | | | /Communism /Dictatorship in dozens of countries |
| (ristorante).When to Dine in ItalyItalians usually eat | | | | and today enjoy the remains of our freedoms |
| late. Lunch typically doesn't begin until 1:00 and | | | | and protections of the Constitution in the USA |
| dinner is not until 8:00. The restaurants close | | | | here in California. |
| between lunch and dinner, but you might find | | | | Working in front of and behind the camera films |
| some that open during this time in popular tourist | | | | around the world we removed to the suburbs |
| areas. Most shops are closed for several hours in | | | | and a quiet life, for a few years. We still have |
| the afternoon.Tuscan CookingA visit to Tuscany | | | | property in Umbria, Italy, some is for sale. After |
| will send your taste buds soaring! Tuscan cooks | | | | all is said and done I count my children, wife Jojo |
| are known for using fresh ingredients, and are | | | | and my friends as my only real treasure. |