Navigating the menu in Italian
Jul 28th, 2005, 12:44 PM
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Navigating the menu in Italian
What is the best way for us to know what we are ordering in Venice, Bologna and Florence.
We are going to try some restaurants that may or may not offer the menu in English.
Is there a quick study on some of the main dishes that will be offered?
Thanks
We are going to try some restaurants that may or may not offer the menu in English.
Is there a quick study on some of the main dishes that will be offered?
Thanks
Jul 28th, 2005, 12:49 PM
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Jul 28th, 2005, 01:13 PM
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Get a copy of "The Marling Menu-Master for Italy". It's available at your local Borders, or at Borders.com
I speak Italian and even lived in Italy for a short period, but I find this little book (it's 108 pages) very helpful.
BC
I speak Italian and even lived in Italy for a short period, but I find this little book (it's 108 pages) very helpful.
BC
Jul 28th, 2005, 01:21 PM
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Bookchick, I have the Marling Menu Master for France and a number of times it has really led me astray. I am going to Italy for the first time and was wondering if I should buy the one for Italy or just go with info I glean from books and fodors. By any chance have you used both of them? Thanks, Deborah
Jul 28th, 2005, 01:23 PM
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Ira - tell us more about your translator. I'm thinking about ordering one. I have the Marling translators, but find them too hard to use. It would be great to have one that has everything listed alphabetically, rather than by categories. i.e., gee is this an antipasta, or insalta.
Jul 28th, 2005, 01:32 PM
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In the event you have an allergy (or just a strong preference), you can have a small card printed in Italian. I'd be surprised if someone doesn't have any English, but, you have reminded me of friends who spoke no Italian (and they were in Bologna!) and the waiter spoke no English so he made animal noises and gestures, and patrons already eating brought over their plates and pointed to corresponding menu items. Everyone in the restaurant stood up and cheered when their food came! Only in wonderful Italy, eh?
Jul 28th, 2005, 01:37 PM
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DeborahAnn, I can't say I have used the French version.
Donco, friends of mine actually drew a chicken on a napkin to ask if they had it in a restaurant, and as the waiter was looking at the drawing, they made a "wing flapping" gesture. The waiter nodded, and brought them a delicious roasted chicken, but first drew a pig on the napkin, as his way of asking if they wanted a choice of pork, too!
BC
Donco, friends of mine actually drew a chicken on a napkin to ask if they had it in a restaurant, and as the waiter was looking at the drawing, they made a "wing flapping" gesture. The waiter nodded, and brought them a delicious roasted chicken, but first drew a pig on the napkin, as his way of asking if they wanted a choice of pork, too!
BC
Jul 28th, 2005, 01:43 PM
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Priceless, bookchick! And bptraveler, unless your 4 year old has specific food issues, I can't imagine there being any problems. The food in Italy is fresh and without the chemicals (ugh) we Americans hold so dear. You might bring along some paper and crayons and let him draw what he/she wants! Enjoy your trip.
Jul 28th, 2005, 02:07 PM
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Along that same line, while in Paris last year at the restaurant that was shown in Something's Gotta Give, - can't remember the name of the restaurant, when our waiter discovered that we spoke English, he sent over a cute young waiter who supposedly could understand English. When we asked about the lamb - he did not understand what we were saying, we tried to point to the menu at what we thought was the lamb and he said oh, and then bleated like a little lamb. Then we inquired about the duck, he tucked his arms under and waddled about quacking. It was so sweet and so funny - everyone in the place was laughing. Needless to say he got a huge tip.
Jul 28th, 2005, 02:30 PM
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Barb, I've got the book you want. It's called "Eating and Drinking in Italy", by Andy Herbach and Michael Dillon. Everything is ordered alphabetically. It's available from Amazon.
I like it much better than Marling - like you, I also don't like the Marling Menu Master's organization.
Although this thread is under the topic "Italy", Deborah asked about France. The best thing I've found for France is the Patricia Wells Food Glossary, which you can download at:
http://www.patriciawells.com/
In the navigation bar at the top, click on "Glossary". Of course, it would be pretty bulky printed on 8.5 X 11 paper. I downloaded the Word file, and I carry it on my PDA. Then I can use the "Find" function in Pocket Word to look things up.
- Larry
I like it much better than Marling - like you, I also don't like the Marling Menu Master's organization.
Although this thread is under the topic "Italy", Deborah asked about France. The best thing I've found for France is the Patricia Wells Food Glossary, which you can download at:
http://www.patriciawells.com/
In the navigation bar at the top, click on "Glossary". Of course, it would be pretty bulky printed on 8.5 X 11 paper. I downloaded the Word file, and I carry it on my PDA. Then I can use the "Find" function in Pocket Word to look things up.
- Larry
Jul 28th, 2005, 02:46 PM
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I highly recommend the menu translation books. I have the Italy "What Food am I?" and have used it on 3 trips. I have found it invaluable. I have not found any food on a menu that I couldn't figure out with the book. There are several other books like this and it is worth the cost.
