Waldo

Who is "Millie Grazie"?

LoveItaly

Dear ekscruncy, I just noticed that you posted you speak Spanish well. If you have time and are so inclined would you do me a favor if possible. I am going to post a thread in the Lounge stating I need a quick minute of help from a Spanish speaking Fodorite. If you do not have time, not to worry.

ekscrunchy

I am back with a new question: Could I get some help in composing an e-mail requesting a dinner reservation?

And saying something like, "I know it is long in advance but we have heard so much about your restaurant and want to be sure to get a place for two for dinner on the night of........... at ..............."


Thanks you so much from Mille Grazie and myself.

ekscrunchy

topping...

annhig

sorry, ek, ma sono stata molto occupata colli miei esame.

i need some practice now my exams are over, so here goes:

"so che ci sia molto tempo avanti il nostro visita, ma ho sentito molto dai vostro ristorante, e vorrei essere sicuro di prenotare uno tavolo per due per cenare sulla sera di [date] a [time].

mille grazie,

ek"

i am sure that there are better ways of saying this, but at least when you turn up speaking less than perfect Italian, they won't be too surprised.

franco

Sorry, Ann: "...ma sono stata impegnatissima con gli esami".

Sorry, ek: I haven't been around for a while, but here we go with the current task:
Mi rendo conto che è un po' presto, ma visto che parlano tanto bene del Vostro ristorante, vorrei assolutamente assicurarmi un tavolo per due per la sera del xx settembre alle (hour).

annhig

ciao Franco - mille grazie. non parlo bene l'italiano ma provo di migliorarmi.

ek - Franco has said it MUCH better than I did; the restauranters may be slightly disappointed to discover that your spoken italian is not as brillant as your written.

ekscrunchy

Annhg: Very funny! I suppose there does exist that risk! Mille grazie to you, and to dear Franco!

ekscrunchy

Follow up to everyone who was so forthcoming with help on the translations:


Just as I had feared, this translates, in essence, to "closed Mondays and open only for lunch on Saturday and Sundays." Correct? (I was hoping to dine here during my two-night stay in Otranto, Sunday and Monday)

Does anyone happen to have a recommendation for an agriturismo or local trattoria within a short drive of Otranto that is open for Sunday or Monday dinner?

<Gentile signora,
il nostro ristorante è aperto tuute le sere, il nostro giorno di chiusura è il lunedi.
sabato e domenica siamo aperti anche a pranzo.
Grazie, xxxxx>




http://www.gattamora.it/ristorante.htm

tarquin

No, it means that it is open ALSO for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. It is open every evening except Monday.

ekscrunchy

Really?! I am so glad to read that! I will now write to them and book a table for Sunday evening dinner! I will use Franco's translation above..

Thanks so much!

Steve_James

Hey Eks - You'll just have to eat there twice on Sunday

What a pain

Steve

franco

Yes, ek, tutte le sere = every evening, giorno di chiusura: lunedì = closed Mondays, sabato e domenica anche a pranzo = Saturdays and Sundays also for lunch.
Happy booking, happy eating!

ekscrunchy

Thanks so much! You two are always so helpful here. Don't you think the place looks great??
I read about it in the SlowFood guide; I considered staying there for the two nights but eventually opted for a little more plushness as far as hotel.

I normally do not give much credence to Trip Advisor for restaurants, but this deepened my interest:



http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

franco

This is their own website: http://www.gattamora.it/index.htm
I don't know much about Puglia cuisine, so cannot judge whether the recipes on their menu (which is on the website) are traditional. But they certainly sound enticing.

ekscrunchy

Franco: I seek your help, (and Ann, Steve, and anyone else fluent in Italian,) yet again:

Since it has been so long since I booked restaurants using your translations, I would like to send an e-mail confirming my bookings. Something simple, such as: "I would like to confirm the booking for dinner for two on xxxxxxxSeptember at xxxxhours. We look forward to our dinner at your establishment." (This last sentence needs a bit of work so please feel free to give me an idea, or to just cut that part..

What do you think?? Many, many thanks!

franco

Con la presente, vorrei confermare la nostra prenotazione per la cena del xx settembre alle xx. Non vedo l'ora di mangiare da Voi.
(This last sentence means, more or less, "I'm impatiently looking forward to our dinner".)

franco

Ah, sorry: ...la nostra prenotazione <b>per due</b> per la cena...

bfrac

My professoressa told me to use the salutation: Gentile Signore o Signora

screen_name_taken

i'm highjacking this thread ... sorry ek! mille apologies.

LoveItaly - please let me know your Lounge's topic title and I can help you with Spanish (ek, I'm not suggesting my spanish is better than yours, but I do have the time right now, if you don't).

btw, i was born, and lived, in Chile the first 20 years of my life ... spanish is my first language = mother tongue?