Food in Italy

Maria, I think you'll probably know at least a few words on an Italian menu, and chances are pretty good that someone working in an Italian restaurant will know some English and be willing to translate. When I go to a foreign country for the first time, I take along a pocket dictionary that includes food items. If all else fails, I've resorted to gesturing to neighboring tables in restaurants and just ordered whatever other people are eating. Please don't worry about looking "ignorant" because you can't understand Italian. I think Europeans are so accustomed to having foreigners in their countries that they're comfortable with language barriers.

Anita's right. Unless you're in a small town way off the tourist path, the waiter will know enough English to tell you what you're ordering. Memorize how to say "In inglese?" and point at what you're wondering about to have him/her translate it into English. Just be sure to ask it pleasantly with a smile. That helps millions. Happy travels.

Maria,
You should use the recommendations in the book as they are a safe bet and you probably will have many memorable meals, I did. Don't fool yourself though, you will be eating with a lot of others who have read the same book. It's not a bad thing and for the first time visitor it gives you a sense of camaraderie and people to share your common travel experiences with. The main thing to understand about Italian restaurants is Entre is the appetizer and not the main course. Learn to say "hello" "goodbye" "excuse me" and the very important "do you speak English?". Those and a polite attitude will take you far.

Maria,
Try this http://www.stayinpiedmont.com/pages/new/food_words_table.html

Just remember that trippa is going to be a chicken fried tripe sandwich. Yummm! And, they serve Kentucky Fried Pigeon. It's another delicacy.

Hi Maria, There is a great book you can get called "Eating and drinking in Italy" that translates tons of Italian menu items into English. It's not too thick or too large so it can easily fit in a purse or daybag. It's only about $10 and will put your mind at ease when you're wondering what's on the menu. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1593601433/ref=pe_175190_21431760_cs_sce_dp_1

I suggest you buy a phrase book/dictionary. There are several on the market, including, I think, one from RS. E.g., mine (Berlitz) has 32 pages on eating. It's very small and lightweight, about 4 x 5 inches Phrase books also have words useful for lots of other situations.

I've never seen "Entre" on an Italian menu. The appetizer is called antipasto. You might see a section called "Primi" followed by a section called "Secondi". They mean first and second and are the order the courses arrive in when you order a full four or five course meal. Do not feel you have to order both. We usually have either one or the other. Or we'll split a primo and each get our own secondo. The primi are usually pasta dishes, some with meat and others without. The secondi are the meat dishes. "Contorni" are side dishes that you order a la carte. The primi never come with side dishes, and the secondi only sometimes. Don't worry about looking ignorant. You'll be in good company. :-)

Your right about Entre. I was thinking of the wrong country.

Here is a typical menu from a restaurant in Sorrento. It shows you the contents of the various courses that are available. http://www.illeonerosso.it/ilmenu.html Yes it does have translations (some of which are interesting!) but that is because the owner believes that he is offering a service that his customers (from Italy and elsewhere) will appreciate. The food is good and the the prices on the middle to lower end of the scale for Sorrento.

Thank You Everybody!!! I Feel much better. I will look into all of your suggestions.

Our first few trips to Italy we used the Marling Menu Master book.
It's available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0912818026/ref=asc_df_09128180261921150?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-1583-86-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=0912818026 It will give you translations of most foods. The book is VERY SMALL, so easy to pack in any size bag. Good to study it on the plane ride over, and before you go...memorize some of your favorite foods so you know what to look for on the menu. Enjoy!

We have traveled to Italy several times. One of the pleasures of travelling is to find restaurants without English and enjoy a non tourist setting. Learn a little Italian and take some risks. It is hard to get a bad meal. We have asked locals what they are eating and they are happy to help. If what you get is not what you thought, it will not matter. Enjoy the experience.

Maria, I believe the RS Italian Phrasebook has information on "dining in Italy" and the various food items. One other point to note is that you'll likely be charged a "Coperto" (cover charge) when dining in restaurants. This is somewhat "standard" in Italy, so can't be avoided. If you want water with your meal, you'll be paying for bottled water also. You'll have a choice between carbonated and plain bottled water. Some of the previous replies have provided some good suggestions on how to deal with the way meals are presented in Italy. If you decide to order the "full meal deal" (Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Dolci as well as Wine), it will get expensive in a hurry! For finding good restaurants, I usually get good recommendations from the Hotel staff. Happy travels!

If you find a restaurant with pictures of the dishes, it's probably not very good, but go ahead and look at the pictures anyway, on your way to the "local" restaurant. Feel free to order one course at a time, rather than all at once.

Maria, this article has many pictures and food "explanations." It might walk you through the process! You'll enjoy the experience.

Rome - try rizzi est, est, est via genova in RS book. Locals mainly in back room. (there is another est,est,est nearby so go to the one in RS book). I don't like pizza, but bruschetta starter selection is fab, as is smoked cheese. They'll speak english ok and are very friendly. Open 7pm on the dot and there may be a queue.
S

I've used Rick's Italian phrasebook many times to help navigate the menu over there, and have always done really well. Last may, I took along the book that Jessica recommends, it was practically all-inclusive. It small and light, and definitely worth the weight.
You'll do fine!

Susan means this place: Pizzeria Ricci

Quanto costa il filletto di baccala, per favore? Grazie per la pagina web... It looks like a nice place. My wife can have pizza while I have the baccala. Has anybody any ideas of the prices there?