| To enjoy the ultimate Italian food experience, you really | | | | second course, usually a meat or fish |
| have to dine out in Italy. However, before you pack | | | | It is also helpful to realize that everything is ordered a |
| your bags and update your passports, you should | | | | la carte, unlike many restaurants in North America. So |
| realize that there are some major differences in how | | | | take time to order exactly what you want to eat. |
| Italians eat when compared to other countries. Dining | | | | The Ingredients |
| out in Italy is a culture experience, and you should | | | | Part of dining out in Italy is getting the chance to enjoy |
| enjoy it as such. | | | | unique, fresh ingredients that may not be readily |
| Meal Length And Times | | | | available where you live. Foods that are in season are |
| If you are expecting a quick meal when dining out in | | | | usually listed as the special, and will be some of the |
| Italy, it is much better to buy a snack from a street | | | | freshest and best tasting you have ever had. Many |
| vendor than to go to a restaurant. Italian meals take | | | | seasonal favorites include artichokes, chicory, fennel, |
| longer, and the focus is not on the speed of the | | | | arugula, and mushrooms. Depending on the part of Italy |
| service but rather the best tasting meal made with the | | | | you are visiting, you may get to try local specialties like |
| freshest ingredients. Italians also tend to eat later in the | | | | salt cod, rabbit, or boar on the menu. |
| day. | | | | Change Your Mind, Not The Menu |
| Many restaurants open at noon for lunch, or shortly | | | | Unlike American restaurants, when dining out in Italy |
| thereafter, but the majority of Italians does not eat | | | | you should never ask the waiter to modify a dish if |
| lunch until at least one. The typical dinner hour is usually | | | | you do not like one of the ingredients. This will often be |
| around 9 PM. If this is late for you, then you should | | | | considered as a personal insult to the chef and/or |
| consider enjoying an afternoon snack at the market | | | | restaurant owner. Italians are passionate about their |
| while you are out shopping and sightseeing. Pastries | | | | food and suggesting that something should be |
| and fruit are often available from vendors. | | | | changed means that you do not think that their cooking |
| Understanding The Menu | | | | is good enough. |
| If you will be dining out in Italy it is also important to | | | | If you do not like the sound of the dish as prepared, |
| understand how to read an Italian menu. While knowing | | | | choose a different menu item. There should be plenty |
| Italian will definitely make this part easier, here are a | | | | of other menu choices that will allow you to find |
| few main words to consider:o Antipasti - the | | | | something to your liking. And don't be afraid to try |
| appetizerso Contorni - vegetable side disheso Dolce - | | | | something new, after all that is part of the experience |
| dessertso Formaggi - cheeseso Insalati - saladso Primi | | | | of dining out in Italy. |
| piatti - first course, usually pasta or soupo Secondi - | | | | |