Splitting/sharing meals in Italy
Dec 7th, 2005, 01:55 PM
#41
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Like some of the posters above, I'll order for both of us, and when the food comes we each share what's been ordered. I don't ask the restaurant to divide courses onto two plates. We end up ordering several courses, and I've rarely had a waiter seem disappointed that only one entree was ordered. The rare times that did occur, the places were more of the touristy kind that I try to avoid anyway.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:19 AM
#42
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I think our fatal error was to mention that we planned to share the dish and asked if we could have an extra empty plate to make it easier. Le Spezia was the only time that we were charged this plating fee as the restaurant was obviously not willing to just bring us an empty plate and allow us to dig in. We have been to restaurants for antipasta like Orzo 80 in Rome where it is the tradition to bring 10 or more plates of appetizers and for everyone to dig in...I don't know why it should be different with the other courses but I guess some fine restaurants frown on this practice. You are ulitimely the customer and should be permitted to do as you please...within reason of course.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:32 AM
#43
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The Orso 80 example is not a valid comparison. Orso 80's specialty is its antipasto; around a dozen dishes are brought out, not only if one is eating in a group but also if one is eating alone.
The Italians have grown accustomed to the American view that "The customer is always right" (even if he goes contrary to the tradition and culture of the country he is visiting) and will allow American tourists to split or share dishes and meals. But to expect them to always do so happily is an unreasonable expectation.
The Italians have grown accustomed to the American view that "The customer is always right" (even if he goes contrary to the tradition and culture of the country he is visiting) and will allow American tourists to split or share dishes and meals. But to expect them to always do so happily is an unreasonable expectation.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:45 AM
#44
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In my experience, the Italian waiters don't ever mind if we want to split a dish but they certainly get concerned if we don't order at least one or two decent bottles of wine. They do have a valid concern that the food may not taste as good without the proper wine. Those Italian waiters are real pros !
We should really give them a break,at least they don't expect an 18-20 % tip on top of the bill. They are somewhat undervalued & underpaid when you really think about it.
We should really give them a break,at least they don't expect an 18-20 % tip on top of the bill. They are somewhat undervalued & underpaid when you really think about it.
Dec 9th, 2005, 12:42 PM
#46
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DAX:
It just goes to show that nothing is carved in stone.
Except in high-end restaurants (which I frequent relatively rarely), most restaurants have been more than happy to give me a mezzo-litro of their house wine. I'm not a wine connaisseur and, in fact (horrors!), prefer the easily quaffable house wines to the heavier bottled wines.
To each his or her own!
It just goes to show that nothing is carved in stone.
Except in high-end restaurants (which I frequent relatively rarely), most restaurants have been more than happy to give me a mezzo-litro of their house wine. I'm not a wine connaisseur and, in fact (horrors!), prefer the easily quaffable house wines to the heavier bottled wines.
To each his or her own!
Dec 9th, 2005, 05:25 PM
#48
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Eloise,
I also like going to wine bars/Enotecas where we picked up our own food in small plates & wine by the glass. We can share anyway we want and there's no waiter to give us attitude about anything.
I also like going to wine bars/Enotecas where we picked up our own food in small plates & wine by the glass. We can share anyway we want and there's no waiter to give us attitude about anything.
