One of the primary attractions of Italy is its cuisine. Hell, the entire "eat" section of Eat, Pray, Love was the problem. So that Aziz Ansari could eat Italian food, the whole season of Master of None was filmed in Italy. Giada De Laurentiis, a native of Rome, should make up your list of things to do in Rome.
Anyone's trip to Italy involves a lot of eating. Nobody wants to stand out or, worse, accidentally offend someone, so learning how to eat like a native in Italy is crucial.
Here are some suggestions for how to eat Italian specialties like a local.
- Coffee Culture
The coffee culture in Italy is rather distinctive. You may be accustomed to getting your Starbucks large coffee "to go" in the afternoon. This specific order has a few "non-Italian" characteristics.
The first thing to understand is that milk-based coffees are often exclusively sipped with breakfast in the morning. There are a few hypotheses explaining why this is the case.
Some claim that it is because drinking milk just after eating would make you feel sick. Some claim that it just follows the custom of consuming milk as soon as the milkman brings it so that it doesn't spoil. In any event, few individuals would be bold enough to request a cappuccino in the afternoon.
You'll get the side-eye, literally.
The second is that the baristas will anticipate you drinking your coffee at the bar or a table. This excludes "to-go." Yet, you'll discover that most coffees are much smaller than you may be accustomed to, making it simple to down them in a few sips.
- Etiquette
There are a few minor etiquette rules to follow if you are fortunate enough to be asked to dine in an Italian household.
In general, it's better to eat at the same rate as your host. To finish everything on your plate is essential to ask for more. On the other hand, leaving a lot of food on your plate is regarded as an indication that you didn't like the meal.
Sunday lunches are a significant meal on the calendar for every Italian. Bring a dessert if you are invited anywhere. We would welcome anything from the neighborhood bakery or a container of gelato to enjoy with everyone.
- Meal course
There are a lot of things to do in Rome and Italy in particular but when it comes to a proper meal, there are steps to follow. The waitress will inquire as soon as you are seated about whether you would want aqua natural (still water) or frizzante (carbonated water). While water is always supplied cold, ice is usually a special request.
That is the following question, and another typical supper beverage is wine. Typically, you'll order by the glass or bottle, although you'll frequently find portions of 1 or 0.5 litres of white or red wine (white).
Whether you choose Coke, water, or wine, don't anticipate getting free refills.
After supper, there is a very specific tradition called "fare la scarpetta" in several regions of Italy. This expression, which translates to "do the tiny shoe," is comparable to licking your plate clean but is more polite. To prepare the scarpetta, just slather the remaining sauce over the tabletop bread.
- Tipping
There are no guidelines about tipping. Locals generally just leave a small amount of change (such as €40 for a bill of €37.85) to level out their balance. In a fine dining establishment, you *might* tip 10% to recognize particularly excellent service, but in most cases, tipping is already included and noted on the menu or receipt.
One important thing to keep in mind is that restaurants will only bring you the check once your dinner is over. If you don't ask, you'll be stuck there all night. There is no need to rush since it is entrenched in the culture to take your time and relish the meal and the company. I honestly truly adore this.
Ref: https://www.palscity.com/read-blog/152652_a-guide-to-eat-like-a-local-in-italy.html
