Page 580 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

578  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Food is a serious subject in Italy. The Italians which serves the local clientele, will often
are justly proud of their fine cuisine and produce a better meal than the nearby inter­
wines and many sociable hours are spent national restaurant. However, whether
around the table. One of the great pleasures it is a crowded osteria, a local pizzeria or
of travelling in Italy is sampling regional a terrace with sea views, this introduction
variations in pasta, breads and cheeses. You gives plenty of practical tips on types of
don’t have to head to the most expensive restaurants, ordering and service to help
places for good food; a simple trattoria, you enjoy eating out in Italy.
Places to Eat
Traditionally a trattoria and an
osteria are cheaper and more
casual alternatives to the
smarter ristorante.
A pizzeria is usually a cheap
place to eat (as little as €18 with
beer) and many serve pasta,
meat and fish dishes as well as
pizzas. Pizzerias are often open
in the evening only, especially
those with wood-fired ovens
(forno a legna).
A birreria is another cheap
option, serving pasta and snacks
such as sausages and burgers. A restaurant in Chioggia offering a cosy environment in a vaulted room
An enoteca, or vineria, will offer
a selection of wines to try, along serve simple hot dishes from summer holiday season; this
with a range of light dishes. the tavola calda counter for information will be included in
Prices vary and tend to be around €8. the list of restaurants on the
relatively expensive for the Stop at a gelateria for ice cream, pages that follow, but phone
quantities served. with a sometimes bewildering first if in doubt.
At lunchtime and in the early choice of different flavours, or a
evening, rosticcerie sell roast pasticceria for one of a dazzling
chicken, slices of pizza (pizza variety of sweet and savoury The Menu
al taglio) and other snacks to pastries, cakes and biscuits. Italian meals consist of three or
take away. Pizza al taglio can four courses, and restaurants
also be bought straight from generally expect patrons to
the baker. Many bars offer filled Opening Times order at least two, though you
rolls (panini) and sandwiches Lunch is generally served should not feel obliged to do so.
(tramezzini), and some also between 12:30pm and 2:30pm The antipasto (starter), is
and, particularly in the south, all followed by the primo, of pasta,
other activity stops between rice or soup. The secondo is the
these hours. Dinner is at about main meat or fish course, for
7:30pm and goes on until 11pm which you will need to order
or later (in the south, eating vegetables (contorni) separately.
hours tend to be later). It is not Fruit (frutta), cheese (formaggi)
unusual to see tables still full from or dessert (dolce) follow, with
lunch at 4pm or diners sipping coffee and the preferred digestivo
digestivi well after midnight. of the region to finish the meal.
Menus usually change with
the season to make use of the
Reservations
freshest local produce, and the
Good restaurants in Italy are day’s specials may be recited to
likely to be popular, so book a you by the waiter rather than
table in advance if you can written down. Persevere, if you
(prenotazione). Otherwise, get don’t immediately understand,
there early to avoid having to using the menu information at
queue. Many restaurants close the beginning of each section.
Villa Crespi in Piedmont, inspired by one day a week and for a few Try to avoid restaurants that do
The Arabian Nights (see p588) weeks in either winter or the not state prices on their menus.

578-579_EW_Italy.indd 578 4/5/17 9:32 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm