Sue_xx_yy

"A favourite story...a lady requested a credit because she hadn't eaten the broccoli...."

A lot of young children could see a lot of potential in that story.....

Vttraveler

my husband and I take the approach described by many other posters. We almost always order two main courses we both want to try and switch half way through. WE often split appetizers and desserts as well. WE do this regularly in the US and have done it in many countries in Europe, including Italy, w/o any comment or raised eyebrows from wait staff.

Lawchick

If you are afraid you won't be able to eat everything then just order a main course. Swapping round of half dishes is a bit silly. You can always have a forkfull of one anothers.

Halving of dishes will raise some eyebrows - behind your back.

travelgourmet

The wife and I often take a different tact. I usually order an appetizer and a main. But, the wife often likes the look of the apps more and will frequently just order two starters, specifying one as the main course. We have done this in many European countries, though not, specifically, Italy. Never gotten a second glance.

What I suspect might not be as acceptable would be to only order one appetizer and one main course, expecting to split both. Even then, I'm sure some places would be more than accomodating.

Josser

You get the impression in Italian restaurants that Americans eat like birds, a lunch of one pizza divided into two etc.

When I was a nipper rather than a josser, my mum would tell me that I couldn't have a sweet or biscuit because I would "spoil my dinner".
I suspect that the inability to eat a proper meal is the result of continuously filling the face with snacks.
As somebody has pointed out, two bums on seat should mean two meals or you are robbing the restaurant.
Of course, it's quite acceptable to have antipasti and secondo or a primo and secondo.

Lawchick

Ohhhh Josser, you're in for it now!

Josser

Should I make myself a chrysalis and prepare for regeneration?
I reckon that I have a point, though and grazing is now how a lot of people eat, sadly including many in the UK.
I wonder how many families now sit around a table and enjoy a proper meal together.

ira

>Who in Italy actually eats antipasto + primo + secondo + dessert..

Me. But I go into training months before.

Hi M,

It is perfectly fine to share. As noted in some restos you can ask to have a secondo served on two plates.

You can order an antipasto and a primo, a primo and a desert, or even an antipasto and desert.

It is also possible to ask for a secondo served as a primo. You get a smaller portion at a reduced price.

Enjoy your visit.

nona1

I think it depends....what exactly are you doing?

I also think it is important to differentiate between sharing a dish as in two people having one dish between them, and sharing food as in 'I'll give you a bit of my chicken if you give me a bit of your fish'. Restaurants don't have a problem with the latter (but you might feel a bit embarrassed at the higher class places).

Thinking about the first type of sharing: I would say that it isn't uncommon to share starters and desserts in a lot of the world. However, it would be a bit weird for two adults to share a main meal (entree to you Americans).

znstravels

Along the same lines, I was curious if you can request leftovers be packaged for a snack later. I know in France this is not an option...what about Italy?

ekscrunchy

I've never seen anyone do this in Italy. But you could certainly ask; you have nothing to lose, except face!

Zerlina

>>if you can request leftovers be packaged for a snack later<<

It is not an option in Italy either.

ekscrunchy

Also, I would not count on automatically having the price cut, as Ira implies, by asking to have a second course served as a first.

Pasta (primo) is usually available by the half portion in Italy, at a price less than a full portion. But I cannot imagine asking for a meat or fish course at a lowered price just by eating it first, in a smaller portion..that sounds really odd to me. Of course, you can always ask..

"Waiter, I would like to have the arista di maiale served as a primo..would you reduce the price??"

hypatia

You've got to be kidding!!you mean I should order two large pizzas (and leave one)just because they could use the table to serve those that are obese and an eat a whole one?

That's the chance the restaurateur takes. Of course he wants every table to order starters,mains, desserts and tons of wine but that doesn't mean I have to do so.....Diet,health,gastro problems,alcoholism,diabetes can all be factors as the what people order...There should be no discrimination.
However I always order a certain acceptable minumum.

StCirq

"We ALWAYS tipped appropriately...."

Since tipping isn't really expected, what did you think was appropriate?

And Hypatia, you've made my day. Finally, someone who can spell restaurateur correctly

As for splitting meals, I don't think I've done that...as in ask for two plates so two people could share an entrée. But I've ordered only an antipasto or salad or soup or something small when my dining companion ordered a full meal.

And I could never in a million years make it through all the components of an Italian meal. I'd burst!

Nonconformist

I think it's fine to share a starter or dessert (or both), but a main course is a bit more iffy.

Seamus

Long, long ago I worked in the restaurant biz in venues from just above greasy spoon to nifty white tablecloth establishments. Splitting was never a problem. In fact, many restaurants publish on their menu a cost for a second plate used for sharing. No decent place would bat an eye.
While I rarely (if ever) have a hard time finishing a course unless I just don't care for it, it simply makes sense that if you can't consume a whole portion you would share it. Wasting good food is so atrocious.

SeaUrchin

In Italy, at a high end restaurant I would not share a meal. In middle of the road and inexpensive places I would share the entree (and I have) but we order two primi, a bottle of wine, water, and one or two desserts.

If you order an entree as a primi you get a smaller portion and it costs less as figured out by the wait staff.

All of this can be varied according to your appetite that day. I would not split every course though, I have to keep some bella figura.

tower

Marta:

good thead...

>>>But I've ordered only an antipasto or salad or soup or something small when my dining companion ordered a full meal.<<<

St. CVirq:

Precisely the way we have "shared" In Italy, the rest of Europe, USA and in other parts of the world for many decades...never a problem.

Where tipping is expected we make sure our tip reflects full dinners for two.

Just do it, Marta..the worst that can happen is a week or two in a cozy "food splitters reform school"!
But the food is great!

Buon appetito, and keep on travelin'..

stu t.

tower

St. Cirq, of course...sorry