Buon appetito in Italia ? Flo'N The Go

By Kristen Durkin (Kent State University)

What is the most common aspect when comparing cultures? Yes, the delicious differences of food. Let us take a glance into the aspects inside and out of Italian cuisine.

The smell of fresh pasta, wine, and Florentine steak fills the air as you walk through the streets of Florence, Italy. On every corner there is a sandwich shop, restaurant or bar to fill your fix of all tradition and non-traditional dishes. But, what makes Italy so different from any other place? The Italian food culture is completely different in every aspect to the United States; some examples are those of; times of eating, service, types of meals and the billing procedure.

In comparisons to the American culture, Italians eat their dinner quite late. The earliest dinnertime is around 7:00 in the evening.? Most restaurants don?t even open their doors until this time.? There is also a ?deal? that some restaurants put together called ?aperitivo?. Compared to the American culture, this would be ?Happy Hour?. In the Italian culture, they add a buffet of finger foods for you when you purchase a drink, for about seven euro a person. I recommend experiencing this evening event. In the Italian culture, it is a fun way to eat a lot, enjoy Italian company, and kick back and relax. ?Some hot spots in the city are Kitsch, Moyo, Zoe, and Rex Caf?.

If you are looking for a more traditional style of meal, going to a restaurant and ordering off the menu is always an option. When ordering beverages getting a soda isn?t as common as it would be in the United States. Wine or water is the normal table drink. Not all wines are a-custom to the dinner table however. The house red or house white is always a delicious taste with your dinner. Don?t order sweet wines such as moscato, save those for dessert! In Italy, the meals are separated into different courses.? When ordering, you asked for all your courses at once. So start with the appetizer and order through your second course at once. Starting off you dinner with first the appetizer, known as antipasti. These dishes are normally light such as caprese, bruschetta, or prosciutto e melone. The primo (first course) is anything that doesn?t have meat.? The pasta dishes or soups are always a good choice. Your secondi (second course) are your meat dishes. This would include the famous Florentine steak, seafood, chicken and so on.? See the difference between Italian and American ordering styles? Everything is ordered and priced separately.

Along with this, it is also eaten separately.? The dishes come out as they are prepared to eat and in order of sequence of the course you order. ?I?ve learned by meeting Italian friends and going out to dinner with them that it is customary and polite to wait for your entire table to receive their dishes before beginning to eat.

Another difference that you may want to take note of is the payment process. In the Italian culture when out in large groups, make sure you have money to collect as a table. The restaurant will ring your bill up on one tab. Before you worry about getting the bill paid for, remember to flag down your waiter or waitress to tell them you are ready for your check.

Lastly before you leave from your meal, Americans always seem to ask amongst them-selves, ?Do I tip?? They answer to that is ?as you wish?. For most restaurants there is what is called a ?service charge?. This is normally about the price you would tip your waiters at home so no, it is not. However, if you believe your service was wonderful you are always more than welcome and the servers are more than happy for you to recognize them by leaving a little extra.

Cuisine is an interesting way to learn the culture and try something new. Don?t be afraid to point to something on the menu and have that for dinner. Be courageous with your taste buds. Chances are likely that whatever you order will be delicious!

Buon appetito!

Sources:

http://blog.florenceforfun.com/2012/08/29/best-aperitivo-in-florence/

http://www.garibardi.it/best-restaurant-florence-italy.htm

Source: http://www.flonthego.com/2012/gourmet/11-28/buon-appetito-in-italia/

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