"Il cibo è un'esperienza, non solo una necessità"
(Food is an experience, not just a necessity)
Eating in Italy
Italy's food is fresh and local in a way that we usually only find at farm-to-table restaurants in the United States. Considering the importance and impact of food culture when traveling to Italy can enhance your time there. Restaurants focus on local fare, serving classic regional dishes and using local meat, dairy, and seasonal vegetable products. The smaller the town, the more you might notice the local influence on the menu, whether in the preparation method or the actual dish.
Eat Local: In Italy, you will notice that each region has distinct dishes. For example, in Tuscany (e.g., Florence), Crostini Toscana is made with a liver patè. In Lazio (e.g., Rome), you will encounter Supplì, a fried rice ball cooked in tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese added. You will not typically find these foods in restaurants outside of the region of origin. All over Italy, there are dishes unique to each area. Most foods will have a local twist, from meats and cheeses to vegetable dishes. I recommend eating the food that is native to the region. Italians love to pair local foods with local wines~ how they were intended to be consumed.
The Exception: You will find good restaurants in larger cities specializing in foods from different regions. One of my favorite spots in Florence is a Neapolitan restaurant! Their menu is strictly Campanian foods~ from the Buratta to the Baba and all the pizzas in between!
My advice? Don't be afraid to try new foods. In the worst case, you don't like them, and in the best case, you love them! For example, you will see wild boar on many menus. Cinghiale (wild boar) is more beefy than it is reminiscent of pork. It is delicious! Also, Conegliano, or rabbit, will appear on many menus prepared differently. You will also see local cured meats and cheeses on the menus, along with seasonal vegetables. When in doubt, ask your server. In my experience, Italians are happy to share their suggestions and guide you on the culturally accurate way to eat and drink traditional foods.
The only things to avoid? Restaurants with pictures on the menu or, even worse, boards outside with pictures! If someone is outside begging you to come and eat at their restaurant, I recommend politely declining their offer. If the food is good, they will be turning people away, not trying to entice them to eat there!
Remember: You are visiting a country with a culture that places a lot of emphasis on well-prepared seasonal food. They typically choose the freshest local foods when crafting their menus. Do I eat octopus (polpo) regularly? No. Do I eat it when I visit Venice or other coastal locations in Italy? Absolutely! Do I eat rabbit (coniglio) in Tennessee? No, I don't. Will I order it at a restaurant in Italy? Definitely! Different countries and cultures prepare food differently. It's okay if you try it and don't like it, but at least you tried!
Mangiamo!
(let's eat!)
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