italian menu
italian restaurant menu guide - how to order from the menu in an italian restaurant
Italian meals are traditionally served in five courses. The menu at an italian restaurant will frequently be organized by these courses.
To hear how to correctly pronounce each item found on the italian menu below, click on the play button underneath the menu item's italian name.
| Antipasto | appetizers |
|
l'affettato misto |
mixture of salamis |
|
l'arancino |
rice ball filled w/ meat, cheese |
|
il brodo |
broth |
|
la bruschetta |
toasted bread w/ diced tomatoes |
|
i calamari fritti |
fried squid |
|
il caprese |
mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil |
|
il carpaccio |
raw beef very thinly sliced |
|
la focaccia |
flat bread |
|
i funghi imbottiti |
stuffed mushrooms |
|
la giardiniera |
pickled vegetables |
|
| l'insalata di frutti di mare | seafood salad |
|
l'insalata mista |
mixed salad |
|
l'insalata di pomodoro |
tomato salad |
|
il minestrone |
thick vegetable soup |
|
la pasta e fagioli |
pasta and beans in broth |
|
Our resting utensils etiquette section covers the rules (american and continental) for resting your utensils when taking a break from eating, when you are finished eating, and when you are passing food [...]
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Informal Table Setting
Table Etiquette - The informal setting is the most common. Use the outside-in rule to determine which flatware to use first.
Resting Utensils Etiquette
How to rest your knife and fork during a meal. You may place your knife and fork on your plate using either the Continental or American style.
Wine Tasting Etiquette
Once it is poured into the proper glass, it’s time to evaluate and enjoy the wine. Evaluating wine involves four basic steps – looking, swirling, smelling, and tasting.
- Step #1 – Look. Holding the wine glass up against a white background, such as a napkin or table cloth, to evaluate its color and clarity. Red wines should range in color from deep purple to brick red. White wines should range in color from lemon gold to golden amber.
- Step #2 – Swirl. Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it.
- Step #3 – Smell. Put your nose in the glass and take a deep breath. Older wines should have subtler aromas than younger ones.
- Step #4 – Taste. To taste the wine, fill your mouth about ½ full and subtly swish the wine around.
Table Setting Etiquette
Helpful hints for setting the perfect table!
Visit our table setting section for information on:
- Formal table settings.
- Informal table settings.
