restaurants

The Italian assaggini: what they are and why they are the best solution for food lovers

November 20, 2018

Assaggini

The typical Italian menu will list the dishes following a specific order (antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, dolce, etc), which may be confusing since in many countries people are used to eating only one dish (piatto) with everything else included. In fact, Italian portions are smaller than American ones, so it is not going to be too overwhelming to order an antipasto, a primo and a secondo. If you are not very hungry, you can certainly order only one or two dishes. If the menu offers too many inviting options, then ask for assaggini (also called trio di primi), which is a dish that combines usually three (sometimes two or four) different small portions. For example: let’s suppose you are uncertain if you want to try that delicious pasta al pesto or tortellini alla panna, or even those inviting gnocchi al ragu’ that the person next to you is happily eating. In these circumstances ask the waiter to bring you a plate of assaggini with those specific dishes, and your wish will soon come true…

{This is an excerpt from chapter 3 “Italian cuisine and food establishments” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. Buy our eBook on Amazon and leave us a review! If it’s good, you’ll make us happy, if it’s bad, you’ll make us improve. Thank you either way!}

Ordering food at Italian restaurants

September 4, 2018

A restaurant on the streets of Lucca in Tuscany

In Italian restaurants, usually the order is made in two phases: the first one includes the choice of the antipasto, primo, and secondo (with a side dish). Then, once you are done eating, the waiter will come back and ask if you wish to have a dessert, coffee or liquor.

Bringing small kids to the restaurant in Italy

March 6, 2018

Photo by Francesca Tosolini

Before jumping into the information, let me tell you something about the photo above. In 2014 we were visiting Sicily, when one evening, while we were taking a walk after dinner (and after gelato) on the streets of Noto, we saw this group of Italian dads pushing the stroller. We thought that they were so cute that we asked them to stop and pose for a picture. Now tell me, how many times have you seen five dads in a row pushing a stroller??? Needless to say, they were very gracious (as all Sicilians are) and accepted with pleasures. That said, let’s talk about what happens if you go to an Italian restaurant with small children.

If you travel with kids don’t expect a high chair (seggiolone) to be in every restaurant you visit. Also, consider yourself lucky if there is a changing table (fasciatoio) in the restroom. Even though restaurants in Italy don’t have many kid-friendly facilities, restaurant managers are usually very friendly and sympathetic and will try to help you as best as they can, like providing smaller portions if there isn’t a child menu or cushions in case a high chair is not provided.

{This is an excerpt from chapter 3 “Italian cuisine” of the eBook “Italy from the Inside. A native Italian reveals the secrets of traveling in Italy”. To buy our eBook click here}