Reading menus in Italy....
May 2nd, 2007, 02:33 PM
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SOME restaurants in major metropolitan areas may have menus in English, but I certainly wouldn't count on it. I don't think I encountered a single menu in English in 5 weeks in Umbria last year.
How much Italian you need to learn depends on how much you care to know about what you're eating. If you're happy with pizza and pasta types that you already recognize and sauces like pesto and bolognese and such, you don't need to learn any. Other words you can probably figure out on your own - insalata mista, e.g. But if food's important to you, I'd get a phrase book.
How much Italian you need to learn depends on how much you care to know about what you're eating. If you're happy with pizza and pasta types that you already recognize and sauces like pesto and bolognese and such, you don't need to learn any. Other words you can probably figure out on your own - insalata mista, e.g. But if food's important to you, I'd get a phrase book.
May 2nd, 2007, 02:34 PM
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May 2nd, 2007, 02:47 PM
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I like the menu translator called Eating and Drinking in Italy by Herbach and Dillon. The foods are listed in alphabetical order and there were very few menu items that I could not figure out with this book. It is small, fits in a pocket or small purse.
I do like the menus with English translations, mostly for the humorous translations. One favorite was "beef wrapped in lard"...
I do like the menus with English translations, mostly for the humorous translations. One favorite was "beef wrapped in lard"...
May 2nd, 2007, 06:08 PM
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I have always relied on the Marling Menu Master for Germany. I purchased one for Italy for our trip this month. But now that you mention it, I haven't heard anyone recommend the Marling for Italy. Anyone use it? Or, have problems with it?
Thanks,
H
Thanks,
H
May 3rd, 2007, 05:46 AM
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Neo - that's not very appetizing, is it?! Have you had the "back of a baby pig" or "pig knuckles on stick" - I sampled both in Vienna? Yum!
I like to have little themes on my trips and I think the next one I will write down funny food translations. I've done funny signs, funny pub names in the U.K. and keeping track of the all the different ways to flush a toilet.
I like to have little themes on my trips and I think the next one I will write down funny food translations. I've done funny signs, funny pub names in the U.K. and keeping track of the all the different ways to flush a toilet.
May 3rd, 2007, 07:15 AM
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In my favorite restaurant in Rome the English menu listed a dish called "skilled brains." I always request the Italian menu because I find them easier to understand than some of the odd English translations.
I think the real meaning of the odd dish mentioned was supposed to be "skillet brains" meaning sauteed brains.
If you are concerned, do get one of the recommended phrase books or translators.
I think the real meaning of the odd dish mentioned was supposed to be "skillet brains" meaning sauteed brains.
If you are concerned, do get one of the recommended phrase books or translators.
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missypie
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