I recall reading that some dishes are priced by grams such as fish, steak and even pizza in certain restaurants. It’s easy enough to convert to ounces but is there a certain way this is represented on menus so it can be easily recognized? Also, are there other foods that may be priced in grams?
Thanks in advance for any responses. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that many participants share here! It’s been a great help in preparing for my October trip.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
On Italian menus the most used expression would be " all'etto" meaning "per 100 grams".
They mean 100 grams in the fish shop, not on your plate. I always ask the waiter to know the price I'm going to pay before ordering, but I couldn't care less about waiters' opinions about me. Old-school restaurants would weigh your order at the table.
The pizza sold by weight is not eaten in proper sit-down restaurants, it's sold in good bakeries and small take-away places catering to tourists and teens. It's a street food. You are supposed to tell the guy at the counter how much pizza you want before paying. Then he'll slice, reheat and wrap it. Italians call it "pizza by the slice", it's not real pizza... more a focaccia with creative toppings. A slice of "pizza bianca" (white pizza, i.e. with no tomato) with Bologna inside is delicious.
The asterisk next to the price on menus usually means "frozen" not "priced by 100 grams", but ask when it's not obvious.
Also, are there other foods that may be priced in grams?
Truffle
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16321 posts
I don’t remember restaurants or food shops pricing by the gram, it’s usually ETTO (1 Hectogram=100g), which is almost a quarter pound or KILO or CHILO (1 Kg=1000g) which is 2.2 lb.
Gold on the Ponte Vecchio is priced by the gram (1oz=28g).
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1271 posts
In places like Florence you'll see the famous Tuscan steaks priced per gram (or by 100 grams), but whether those are the best places to experience that steak I'll leave that up to the critics.
Other than that "market price" pricing at restaurants the only place I've seen it are places like deli counters and market stalls where you are buying cheese, meats, produce etc. and you buy by weight just like in the states. The only difference is you're ordering in person and for this cento (pronounced chento) for 100g is a handy measurement for picnic and snacking supplies. As others have said this is a little less than 1/4 pounds just as guide to how much you're ordering.
I wouldn't worry about it that much and just go with it - generally good advice for travel in Italy,
=Tod