| Italy is home to some of the most wonderful food and | | | | a plethora of options! |
| restaurants on the planet. Here, we take a look at how | | | | Fortunately you don't have to select something from |
| to avoid being daunted by the complexities of a | | | | every section of the menu, although many Italian |
| traditional Italian menu. | | | | families do like to make a real event of eating out. |
| One of my favourite parts of Italy is the area to the | | | | The key is to only choose as much as you think you'll |
| north of venice and Verona. The region, encompassing | | | | be able to eat - if you don't want to select something |
| the famous lakes of Garda and Como, also has some | | | | from each section then don't do so! |
| of the finest restaurants in Europe. | | | | I would generally opt for a first course, possibly of |
| I remember visiting Italy for the first time and looking | | | | rissotto (a rice based dish that northern Italian |
| forward to a meal in one of the region's famous | | | | restaurants specialise in) and then go for a |
| restaurants. On sitting down in a typical trattoria (a | | | | meat-based secondo (second course), with a side dish. |
| slightly less formal Italian restaurant), I found myself | | | | Mention of a side dish reminds me that most |
| somewhat overwhelmed when presented with the | | | | restaurants don't serve potatoes, vegetables or salad |
| menu. | | | | with a meat dish as standard - you'll need to ask for it |
| For those of you who have not travelled in Italy, let me | | | | as a separate side dish. |
| enlighten you: a traditional Italian menu looks very | | | | I'd find that opting for the first course, second course |
| confusing! | | | | and side dish would be just right - maybe leaving room |
| The first thing that you notice is that there just seem | | | | for a dessert if you have a sweet tooth. |
| to be so many options! Many restaurant menus have | | | | Most importantly, make sure that you enjoy the whole |
| five different sections - you are being presented with | | | | experience of dining out in Italy. |