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