first couse / second ----ordering in Italy
 

Do you have to order a full meal in the trattorias (the inexpensive ones)there are three of us can one of us order just pasta and get away with it??? going to Venice and Florence

One of the great things about restaurants in Italy is that you can order what you like, when you like it. Soup for dessert? Fine. One course? Fine. Everything (almost everywhere) is a la carte and you can put together your meal just the way you like it, served in the sequence you want. <BR> <BR>Much more info on dining in Italy at www.twenj.com/romefood.htm <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

The only place that I recall where there was any sort of problem was at Sostanza in Florence, which has the reputation of being *the* place for bistecca fiorentina. As such, it does not allow you to order just pasta. <BR>Other than that, I think places are, as Ron said, quite flexible. Going out of the normal order of things may confuse waiters, but any problems are likely to be because they think they misheard you, not because they won't let you do it. Learn the Italian for "only a first course" or "two first courses, no second" and everything will be fine.

Unless you're paying for a fixed price menu, your order may be as you wish. As a matter of fact, to keep it on the light side for lunch, my wife and I almost always order one plate of pasta, a small sallad, one plate of meat/fish and we share it all. A few times we add one plate of antipasto for starters and one portion of dolce or frutta. The only piece of the meal that's certainly doubled is the expresso :-) <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Bear in mind though that a portion of Pasta in Italy is not going to be what you would expect in the US. Three people sharing a first plate of pasta, would maybe be 3 bits each, if you're lucky.

I meant bites. Usually in Italy, especially in the smaller trattorias the pasta is going to be fabulous, homemade and delicious. I always order pasta, and then most of the time I don't have the second plate, which might be chicken, beef, fish, or something a bit more radical like boar, or rabbit. I find with an appetizer of some sort, the first plate of pasta, maybe some vegs or a salad, I'm full. Are you thinking about sharing to save money?

I can't beleive that someone posted this before me. My experience has been that If I/we each ordered only the prima platta, we were looked down upon to the point--Why don't you leave!! I think that most Italian resturants depend on one ordering the 1st/2nd platters. <BR>Paulo, I guess if you speak the language, you might intimidate the waiter. I wish that I could do the same.

Thank you -----to clarify--I was wondering if the guys ordered a regular meal of first and second if I could just order the pasta-----Could we share---I just read in a tour book that some restaurants have something on the menu about this

My companion and I have eaten many meals in simple trattorias and have had no problem at all each ordering a pasta and no second course. We usually also have a salad or vegetable and wine. If you are eating with others who are ordering a full meal, don't thnk twice about ordering just what you want.

If you want to be more knowledgeable about Italian food, restaurants, markets, food shops and regional cuisine before you go to Italy, pick up a copy of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, by Fred Plotkin. It is the best reference you could have and will direct you away from the tourist rip-off places and to friendly establishments that will make you feel like an honored guest regardless of how you order. I wouldn't go to Italy without it.

Thank you

It is true that rerstaurants in the heavily touristed areas are pretty relaxed about this. However, since you are in Italy to learn about the culture do think about the Italian way of eating a meal - slow and full of enjoyment for each bite and each word of conversation. This means that the average table in a restaurant turns over about once each meal. (It is also why you may be turned away for a seat later in the meal period even when tables are empty.) People having a partial meal have a much greater negative impact on revenue then would happen in a similar restaurant in the US. Most places will be friendly and polite but really wish that you would stop at a sandwich shop for a light meal and save the pasta noshing for a true Italian meal. But this is just a guideline. Do skip the second course if you must but order veggies, fruit, soup, wine, liquors. I reiterate - learning to think a little bit like an Italian is part of the fun - and saves a lot of irritation at seemingly irrational behavior.

all right! My favorite subject! <BR> <BR>I was recently in several places in Northern Italy, and never had any pressure to order any particular number of courses. Having said that, I definitely ordered several courses at each meal! There are several reasons for this. <BR> <BR> The exchange rate of the lira vs. the US dollar was very, very favorable. Ordering an appetizer or "contorno" (side dish) often amounted to $2 or $3--that makes it kind of easy when deciding whether or not to try an extra item! <BR> <BR>The portions of many items are smaller than what I am used to in the US, as was said earlier. Combine this fact with the low prices, and that makes it easier to order more than just pasta. <BR> <BR>As far as sharing goes, I say order at least two things per person, make sure nobody orders the same thing, then share everything! <BR> <BR>Sometimes my wife would order an appetizer, while I would order a contorno. Since these are normally on either side of the pasta course, the waiter/waitress always asked us whether we wanted them delivered before or after the pasta. <BR> <BR>Also, consider that most restaurants charge a minimal "coperto" or cover charge. This is usually only a dollar or two. But since it's a cover charge nonetheless, you shouldn't feel bad about not ordering every course on the menu if you don't want to. <BR> <BR>Finally, consider this: I've seen many, many posts on this forum of people willing to shell out over $250-$300 per night on a hotel room. Extra courses at dinner at a trattoria are only a few bucks each. Since food is one of the high points of my trips to Italy (can't you tell by now?), I say maybe you can consider knocking one star off your hotel rating in exchange for eating better. <BR> <BR>Wow, all that thinking of food just made me hungry. I'm off to cook dinner!