Evening footwear for men in Italy
May 19th, 2010, 03:05 PM
#43
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Well, I’ll chime in with my ten cents worth.
Take a pair of shoes – they don’t need to be flash, and might come in handy.
I have never seen a sign in Venice saying “We don’t serve pasta”.
Risotto is the alternative carbohydrate to pasta in Venice. Not polenta, which is served with a dish, rather than as a dish by itself.
Some wine is good, some wine is not so good.
It’s OK to order pasta as a main (and only) dish at a restaurant.
On the whole, Italians dress rather better than Australians. Can’t comment on whether Italians dress better than citizens of the USA, because I’ve only ever seen citizens of the USA when they have been travelling. By contrast, Italians are more likely to be driving banged up cars – panel damage does not seem to stress them as much as it does Australians.
No matter what, do have a great holiday. And don't be afraid to ask more questions on Fodors.
Take a pair of shoes – they don’t need to be flash, and might come in handy.
I have never seen a sign in Venice saying “We don’t serve pasta”.
Risotto is the alternative carbohydrate to pasta in Venice. Not polenta, which is served with a dish, rather than as a dish by itself.
Some wine is good, some wine is not so good.
It’s OK to order pasta as a main (and only) dish at a restaurant.
On the whole, Italians dress rather better than Australians. Can’t comment on whether Italians dress better than citizens of the USA, because I’ve only ever seen citizens of the USA when they have been travelling. By contrast, Italians are more likely to be driving banged up cars – panel damage does not seem to stress them as much as it does Australians.
No matter what, do have a great holiday. And don't be afraid to ask more questions on Fodors.
May 19th, 2010, 10:04 PM
#44
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"I have never seen a sign in Venice saying “We don’t serve pasta”. "
See answer Nb.2
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/434670
See answer Nb.2
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/434670
May 20th, 2010, 05:52 AM
#45
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Sometimes information that is offered at 10-cents is worth less.
From Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan:
<i>"Pasta has become so universally accepted as the national dish of Italy that it is difficult to believe that not much farther into the past than two generations ago, pasta was as foreign to certain Italian regions as it might have been to, say, Lapland. For a quarter of a millennium, in the Veneto and Fiuli, as well as in much of Lombardy, it was polenta, more than any other food, that sustained life. Preparing it was a ritual, eating it was like receiving a sacrament."</i>
Risotto (rice) is currently popular throughout Italy but it wasn't until the late 1400's that seeds were brought in and rice fields were established in the Po Valley to meet the growing food demands of the prospering towns. Some food historians credit Venice for introducing rice recipes to Italy, probably brought to Venice via the Arab states through trade. Their is documentation that the master chefs of the Doge would prepare <i>minestra di riso</i> at state dinners that centuries later evolved into a modern day risotto recipe.
There is also evidence that polenta can be traced back to Etruscan times with cornmeal added to the recipe, also during the late 1400's. Venice gets the credit for introducing polenta made with cornmeal, which they call <i>grana turco</i> (Turkish wheat) to this day. And given that Venice has historically preferred to be unique within Italy, polenta's place at the Venetian table makes sense.
What any of this has to do with Arizona toes beats me.
(Sorry, dahling, sometimes I just can't resist.)
From Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan:
<i>"Pasta has become so universally accepted as the national dish of Italy that it is difficult to believe that not much farther into the past than two generations ago, pasta was as foreign to certain Italian regions as it might have been to, say, Lapland. For a quarter of a millennium, in the Veneto and Fiuli, as well as in much of Lombardy, it was polenta, more than any other food, that sustained life. Preparing it was a ritual, eating it was like receiving a sacrament."</i>
Risotto (rice) is currently popular throughout Italy but it wasn't until the late 1400's that seeds were brought in and rice fields were established in the Po Valley to meet the growing food demands of the prospering towns. Some food historians credit Venice for introducing rice recipes to Italy, probably brought to Venice via the Arab states through trade. Their is documentation that the master chefs of the Doge would prepare <i>minestra di riso</i> at state dinners that centuries later evolved into a modern day risotto recipe.
There is also evidence that polenta can be traced back to Etruscan times with cornmeal added to the recipe, also during the late 1400's. Venice gets the credit for introducing polenta made with cornmeal, which they call <i>grana turco</i> (Turkish wheat) to this day. And given that Venice has historically preferred to be unique within Italy, polenta's place at the Venetian table makes sense.
What any of this has to do with Arizona toes beats me.
(Sorry, dahling, sometimes I just can't resist.)
May 20th, 2010, 12:35 PM
#46
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This is a very amusing thread.
As if any of you know the difference between a Teva and Lanvin sandal.
Nobody gives two shits what you wear out to dinner in Rome.
Nobody gives a shit whether you sit inside or outside.
Nobody cares. Do you really think city folk walk around wondering about your shoe choice? Do you think other diners look over and wonder about your pasta choice?
They don't.
As someone who has lived in big cities all of his life, and who has just returned from Rome (stayed at the 5-star St. Regis Grand Hotel), you could take off all your clothes, stand on your head and shit yams out of your ass and nobody would pay you any mind.
No one cares. Order what you want to eat. Sit where you want to sit. Wear what you want to wear on your feet.
Thin
As if any of you know the difference between a Teva and Lanvin sandal.
Nobody gives two shits what you wear out to dinner in Rome.
Nobody gives a shit whether you sit inside or outside.
Nobody cares. Do you really think city folk walk around wondering about your shoe choice? Do you think other diners look over and wonder about your pasta choice?
They don't.
As someone who has lived in big cities all of his life, and who has just returned from Rome (stayed at the 5-star St. Regis Grand Hotel), you could take off all your clothes, stand on your head and shit yams out of your ass and nobody would pay you any mind.
No one cares. Order what you want to eat. Sit where you want to sit. Wear what you want to wear on your feet.
Thin
May 20th, 2010, 12:52 PM
#47
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<i>As if any of you know the difference between a Teva and Lanvin sandal. </i>
Lanvin or Teva, it doesn't matter. A sandal is not a man's shoe. Fine for ladies. Fine for little girls. Not a man's shoe. And, yes, I am fully aware of the difference between the two. Still not a man's shoe.
That being said, we can agree that nobody cares what you wear.
Lanvin or Teva, it doesn't matter. A sandal is not a man's shoe. Fine for ladies. Fine for little girls. Not a man's shoe. And, yes, I am fully aware of the difference between the two. Still not a man's shoe.
That being said, we can agree that nobody cares what you wear.
May 20th, 2010, 01:07 PM
#49
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http://tinyurl.com/2ft2996
I would have no problem with any man wearing this sandal to dinner in Rome.
I wouldn't wear it to La Pergola, but I think it would be fine for the type of restaurants that most Fodorites dine at.
Two weeks ago, I had lunch at L'Ecole at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. Jacques Pepin was sitting across from me. The man sitting next to me was wearing flip-flops.
No one batted an eyelash at those cheap, rubber flip-flops.
Thin
I would have no problem with any man wearing this sandal to dinner in Rome.
I wouldn't wear it to La Pergola, but I think it would be fine for the type of restaurants that most Fodorites dine at.
Two weeks ago, I had lunch at L'Ecole at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. Jacques Pepin was sitting across from me. The man sitting next to me was wearing flip-flops.
No one batted an eyelash at those cheap, rubber flip-flops.
Thin
May 20th, 2010, 01:31 PM
#51
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>I bet you won't have a problem with a man wearing nothing to dinner in Rome.<
Well, if he looks anything like you, I would.
I have seen enough fat naked Germans at the pool at the Rodos Park Hotel in Rhodes to last me the rest of my life.
Right, Weadles????
Thin
Well, if he looks anything like you, I would.
I have seen enough fat naked Germans at the pool at the Rodos Park Hotel in Rhodes to last me the rest of my life.
Right, Weadles????
Thin
May 20th, 2010, 01:44 PM
#52
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<i><font color=#777777>"This is a very amusing thread."</font></i>
I thought so, too. (Very funny, St Cirq!)
<i><font color=#777777>"I would have no problem with any man wearing this sandal to dinner in Rome."</font></i>
Thin, darling, nobody cares about getting your approval. The OP (and others) are concerned about the La Moda Polizia and members of their <i>family</i>.
<i><font color=#777777>"I think it would be fine for the type of restaurants that most Fodorites dine at."</font></i>
Yes, ugly, naked toes are perfectly acceptable at La Carbonara.
<i><font color=#777777>"No one batted an eyelash at those cheap, rubber flip-flops."</font></i>
Eric Ripert is a star. He can wear anything he wants.
I thought so, too. (Very funny, St Cirq!)
<i><font color=#777777>"I would have no problem with any man wearing this sandal to dinner in Rome."</font></i>
Thin, darling, nobody cares about getting your approval. The OP (and others) are concerned about the La Moda Polizia and members of their <i>family</i>.
<i><font color=#777777>"I think it would be fine for the type of restaurants that most Fodorites dine at."</font></i>
Yes, ugly, naked toes are perfectly acceptable at La Carbonara.
<i><font color=#777777>"No one batted an eyelash at those cheap, rubber flip-flops."</font></i>
Eric Ripert is a star. He can wear anything he wants.
May 20th, 2010, 02:04 PM
#53
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Oh my goodness! What interesting reading this has been! I, too, was interested in the answer to the shoe question. I got more than I bargained for when I read this thread!
That being said, my husband will be taking top siders (leather boat shoes), low profile dark sneakers and perhaps, though I'm not so sure now, leather sandals.
I hope that he will not offend anyone with his choice of footwear, but since I doubt we will be doing much eating at any fancy restaurant, I think he'll be alright.
I hope.
That being said, my husband will be taking top siders (leather boat shoes), low profile dark sneakers and perhaps, though I'm not so sure now, leather sandals.
I hope that he will not offend anyone with his choice of footwear, but since I doubt we will be doing much eating at any fancy restaurant, I think he'll be alright.
I hope.
May 20th, 2010, 02:04 PM
#54
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Why ask a question, then get indignant when people disagree with what you want to do?
Sandals are inappropriate for a man going to dinner, unless he's 25 and dinner is in Malibu. No matter how substantial or expensive, they don't fit in well at a nice restaurant. A casual dinner party with friends, maybe. At someone's home, maybe. But not at a nice restaurant in Italy (or the U.S., for that matter).
Sandals are inappropriate for a man going to dinner, unless he's 25 and dinner is in Malibu. No matter how substantial or expensive, they don't fit in well at a nice restaurant. A casual dinner party with friends, maybe. At someone's home, maybe. But not at a nice restaurant in Italy (or the U.S., for that matter).
May 20th, 2010, 02:53 PM
#55
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This has gotten silly. I was not indignant about the sandals, but disappointed in and rather shocked at the assumptions and shots people were taking ... at someone they know not at all. Husband and I are SO not invested in the sandals, even though they indeed cost "hundreds of euros." Like I said, it was a yes or no question. Yes, you'll want to take a nice pair of full shoes. Done. But the answers were certainly more than that, and seemed to me to reflect negative and unkind prejudices and projections on the part of the writers. I did get a bit indignant about that.
May 20th, 2010, 03:45 PM
#56
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<i><font color=#777777>" I was...disappointed in and rather shocked at the assumptions and shots people were taking...I did get a bit indignant about that."</font></i>
I hate to say this but, dahling, relax. You're going to Italy soon, during the most fabulous month of the year. Lighten up. A lot of people can't afford to go anywhere because they lost all their money and lost their jobs. They can't afford to dream about $400 sandals let alone wearing them in a nice restaurant in Rome or Tuscany. You're fortunate you get to go and ponder these silly packing questions.
Fodorites like to have fun. They mean you no real harm. They deal with clothing questions day in day out and, frankly, everyone says the same thing. They've been saying the same thing for years. If we didn't have fun with it, we'd all leave the board and do something more fun, or shoot ourselves.
So throw away any indignation and/or negative thoughts or feelings, and be sure your luggage is light enough to deal with the new hassles of travel. You and the bare-naked-toe gladiator have a lovely trip.
PS We neglected to ask, will the gladiator be getting a mani-pedi before you all leave? (Kidding, again.)
I hate to say this but, dahling, relax. You're going to Italy soon, during the most fabulous month of the year. Lighten up. A lot of people can't afford to go anywhere because they lost all their money and lost their jobs. They can't afford to dream about $400 sandals let alone wearing them in a nice restaurant in Rome or Tuscany. You're fortunate you get to go and ponder these silly packing questions.
Fodorites like to have fun. They mean you no real harm. They deal with clothing questions day in day out and, frankly, everyone says the same thing. They've been saying the same thing for years. If we didn't have fun with it, we'd all leave the board and do something more fun, or shoot ourselves.
So throw away any indignation and/or negative thoughts or feelings, and be sure your luggage is light enough to deal with the new hassles of travel. You and the bare-naked-toe gladiator have a lovely trip.
PS We neglected to ask, will the gladiator be getting a mani-pedi before you all leave? (Kidding, again.)
May 20th, 2010, 03:53 PM
#57
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Arizonaa, you’ve just witnessed some typical Fodor’s behaviour. The standard script runs like this:
I’m thinking of a holiday at pick-a-place. Is hotel XXX any good? Can I get a bus from the airport? What sort of food do they eat there?
Yep, you can get a bus.
The national dish of pick-a-place is deep fried albatross.
The bus runs every ten minutes.
It’s not deep fried albatross, it’s baked albatross, with traditional herbs.
The bus is way below my price point. I use the helicopter transfer. And I’d not be seen dead at pick-a-place anyway.
Albatross tasted like chicken to me, or maybe it was polenta.
I found that the people on the helicopter were all wearing Crocs. The Hummer limo was better for me.
I ordered the albatross, and I think they served seagull
Limo-schimo. I use the private helicopter. Roberto drives it.
That was not seagull, they only serve juvenile albatross. If you can’t tell the difference, then you should stick to polenta.
I’ve given up on the helicopter – I maintain a steam launch and crew to transport me to my hotel.
I like Hotel XXX – good staff.
I found a hair in the bathtub at Hotel XXX. Complained, negotiations continuing.
There’s no way that poster Z maintains a steam launch. Pick-a-place is in a desert.
I found a dead body in the bathtub at Hotel YYY. It’s with my lawyers – hotel would not change my room, so I could not take a bath. Had to use the shower stall.
Pick-a-place might be in a desert, but before I arrive they flood the irrigation canals, to float my boat.
I found a dead elephant in the jacuzzi when I rented the penthouse at pick-a-place. Issue is with the United Nations
I’d never take a vacation at pick-a-place.
I’d never take a vacation anywhere.
I take vacations fifty five weeks a year.
I get paid to take vacations.
Getting paid to take vacations is so tacky – I take vacations for free.
I donate my vacations to the poor people of Colombia.
There are no poor people in Colombia – they are all drug barons.
Christopher Colombia discovered America.
No he didn’t, it was the Vikings/Chinese/Indonesians/Bill Gates
.........and so it goes.
I’m thinking of a holiday at pick-a-place. Is hotel XXX any good? Can I get a bus from the airport? What sort of food do they eat there?
Yep, you can get a bus.
The national dish of pick-a-place is deep fried albatross.
The bus runs every ten minutes.
It’s not deep fried albatross, it’s baked albatross, with traditional herbs.
The bus is way below my price point. I use the helicopter transfer. And I’d not be seen dead at pick-a-place anyway.
Albatross tasted like chicken to me, or maybe it was polenta.
I found that the people on the helicopter were all wearing Crocs. The Hummer limo was better for me.
I ordered the albatross, and I think they served seagull
Limo-schimo. I use the private helicopter. Roberto drives it.
That was not seagull, they only serve juvenile albatross. If you can’t tell the difference, then you should stick to polenta.
I’ve given up on the helicopter – I maintain a steam launch and crew to transport me to my hotel.
I like Hotel XXX – good staff.
I found a hair in the bathtub at Hotel XXX. Complained, negotiations continuing.
There’s no way that poster Z maintains a steam launch. Pick-a-place is in a desert.
I found a dead body in the bathtub at Hotel YYY. It’s with my lawyers – hotel would not change my room, so I could not take a bath. Had to use the shower stall.
Pick-a-place might be in a desert, but before I arrive they flood the irrigation canals, to float my boat.
I found a dead elephant in the jacuzzi when I rented the penthouse at pick-a-place. Issue is with the United Nations
I’d never take a vacation at pick-a-place.
I’d never take a vacation anywhere.
I take vacations fifty five weeks a year.
I get paid to take vacations.
Getting paid to take vacations is so tacky – I take vacations for free.
I donate my vacations to the poor people of Colombia.
There are no poor people in Colombia – they are all drug barons.
Christopher Colombia discovered America.
No he didn’t, it was the Vikings/Chinese/Indonesians/Bill Gates
.........and so it goes.
May 20th, 2010, 03:59 PM
#58
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I'm sorry arizonaa that your simple question was turned by a few into such an ugly free for all.
It appears that some Fodorites used your post to grind their own personal axe. You just happened to provide a convenient vehicle.
I'm fairly new here and have had my questions answered very civilly, thoughtfully and generously. I'm going to be asking lots more, and my expectation is that many wonderful members will contribute if they can.
BTW, my husband will be bringing his very utilitarian Ecco shoes, as will I, for maximum comfort. too, too, funny
It appears that some Fodorites used your post to grind their own personal axe. You just happened to provide a convenient vehicle.
I'm fairly new here and have had my questions answered very civilly, thoughtfully and generously. I'm going to be asking lots more, and my expectation is that many wonderful members will contribute if they can.
BTW, my husband will be bringing his very utilitarian Ecco shoes, as will I, for maximum comfort. too, too, funny
