If you are planning a trip to Italy or a fancy Italian restaurant in the US, you might be wondering how to order your food.Many Italian restaurants serve their courses in the same order on their menu.You should have a smooth ordering process if you stick with the course order.Ahead of time, there are pronunciations that you can practice and cultural norms to consider.
Step 1: Water and wine can be ordered by the bottle or glass.
Water and/or wine are often ordered at meals.Most Italian restaurants have bottled water, but not tap water.You can choose from red, white, and sparkling wines.When eating at a restaurant in Italy, the server will ask you, "To drink?", which means "a liter of flat water."
Step 2: Start with antipasti.
Antipasta is similar to an appetizer and often includes cured meats, cured cheeses, fried vegetables, olives, or toast bread with tomatoes.antipasti should be ordered before any other courses.The server at the restaurant in Italy may ask, "Che facciamo?" meaning "What are we making?", and then reply with something like "Per antipasto fccamo un carpaccio."
Step 3: You should order your first course of pasta.
There is a pasta, risotto, or soup section on the menu.There will likely be many different pasta dishes to choose from that come in a variety of shapes and are served with different sauces.You can reply to the server if they say, "For your first course?" in Italy.
Step 4: You can order your second course, or secondo, of meat.
Red meat, poultry, or fish will be the second course after pasta.The second course usually doesn't have any sides.There is a meat from the secondo section on the menu.If you are in Italy, your server may ask, "Per secondo?" which means "For the second course."
Step 5: There is a side dish called contorni.
You will be served a side dish of your choice after the second course.Vegetables, potatoes, or any other side listed on the menu should be ordered at this point.A server in a restaurant in Italy may ask, "Salata, contorno?" which means "Salad, side dish?"
Step 6: You can ask for a dessert ordolchi.
You will most likely be offered dessert at this point in your meal.This is usually a fruit selection, but may also have other treats on the menu.Tell the server what you want.You can reply to the server if you are in Italy.
Step 7: The last thing to drink is your caff.
Coffee can be prepared for you in a number of ways.A normale is an espresso shot with a drop of milk.Thelungo, meaning "long" coffee, which is similar to a normale but is brew with twice as much water, makes it bigger and moreDilute than an espresso shot.
Step 8: To help you digest your meal, order digestivi.
Digestivi is a beverage that usually contains liquor and fruit juice.If you want to settle your stomach like the Italians do, order and drink it after your last course.
Step 9: When you want Bruschetta, say "brews-keh-ah".
It is a mistake to say "ch" in Italian, as it sounds like a hard "k."
Step 10: Go ahead and say "nyoh-kee."
It's true that the "g" is silent, but this isn't quite right.If you decide to order these potato dumplings, say "nyoh-kee".
Step 11: When you order minestrone, say mean-ehs-tron-ih.
There are no silent vowels on the end of Italian words, but this doesn't mean that they're harsh-sounding.
Step 12: Don't order a pizza with a name like "marg-eh-rita"
While the spelling of this Italian pizza is the same as an alcoholic beverage, their pronunciations are a little different.If you want to order a margarita pizza, don't include the "r" in the second syllable.
Step 13: When you're not sure, pronounce every word.
If you don't know how to say an Italian word, it's best to just say it in its entirety.It will increase your chances of saying it correctly.
Step 14: You can eat later in the day if you are in Italy.
In Italy, it is normal to eat lunch in the afternoon and dinner at night.Don't arrive at the restaurant earlier than these times if you want to blend into the culture.Italian restaurants close between lunch and dinner.
Step 15: There are 2 courses in Italy.
You will likely have too much food to eat if you order every single course option.In Italy, it's normal to choose 2 different courses to pass on the rest.The portions for each course are smaller in the United States.
Step 16: When you're ready to pay at a restaurant in Italy, ask for "il conto."
When it isn't asked for, it's rude to drop off the check.Ask for the check when you want it.In Italy, it is appropriate to subtly raise a hand, make eye contact with your server, and say, "The check, please."
Step 17: If you are dining in Italy, don't tip the server.
gratuity will not be added to your bill in Italy.You will stand out as a foreigner if you tip the server.If you feel like you have been treated well at the restaurant, consider tipping 10%.It is socially acceptable to tip 18% at Italian restaurants in the United States.