n Italy I often see the appetizers set out on a buffet. However, I never know how they are priced. Is it by weight, by plateful, by individual appetizer or is there no rule of thumb?

We were in the Piedmont area, and one restaurant had a buffet app cart. It was a set price, and the waiter brought it over and I picked out 4-5 apps that I chose to fill up the plate, and it was a set price. I could have had dinner from the app cart, it was so good. I guess, though, it might differ restaurant to restaurant, so just ask.

Many times the display of food you see are just the antipasti or vegetables of the day from which the waitstaff will get your order.

As you suggested, there is no rule.

In Rome recently, we ate at a small restaurant with an appetizer table that was priced by the plate. It's a great way to try several items.

We were just in Milan; in the Brera district, you can go to several bars, order 2 drinks/person (we just ordered a bottle of wine for 18e) and have the buffet gratis. it was a great meal for a total of 18e.

On Capri we ordered the appetiser bar seperately, set price, and went to help ourselves. There were about 12-15 different items to choose from and just about all were de-lish!