Eating Italian Matty style
Posted by Matt VerHeul | | Posted On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 2:39 PM
Just to add a couple of my own insights I thought I'd comment on the Italian food as well.
1. It's not just the freakin' milk. Nothing here is served cold and there is no such thing as ice. We have had warm milk (I tried to do it once on cereal, bad idea), warm juice, warm smoothies, warm wine, warm soda and warm water. The only time I get a cold beverage is when our room has a mini-fridge.
2. The biggest annoyance for me is at the end of the meal when it’s time to pay. I kid you not that I have yet to finish a meal in Italy and not have to ask for the check. I understand that Italy has a culture of eating and it’s intended to be a whole experience but it’s something I just can’t get used to. At times when we haven’t been in a rush I’ve attempted to wait it out and just see if a check would come but I’ve always caved, even waiting sometimes longer for the check than the time spent previously ordering and eating the meal. No amount of eye contact hand tapping, head nods or facial gestures has ever gotten the desired response. My tip here is, as temping as it may be, don’t sit in a corner away from all other diners. Once your food has been finished and plate cleared there is no chance a waiter/waitress is coming around your way again except to serve others making it impossible to ask for a check.
3. My final insight is regarding German sausage. Christina and I went to a really great place for lunch in Varenna with a substantial menu of pizza. I was having a hard time choosing and wanted to clarify Wurstel. The waitress said it was german sausage and I ordered with enthusiasm as sausage is my favorite kind of pizza and harder to find in Italy than you’d think (See Christina’s comment about ham). Christina and I had a good laugh and took note as we head to Germany in a couple of days when I was presented with a beautiful hotdog pizza. The meal was redeemed when we finished with an apple crepe topped with whipped cream and chocolate chunks which redefined my concept of a good crepe.
1. It's not just the freakin' milk. Nothing here is served cold and there is no such thing as ice. We have had warm milk (I tried to do it once on cereal, bad idea), warm juice, warm smoothies, warm wine, warm soda and warm water. The only time I get a cold beverage is when our room has a mini-fridge.
2. The biggest annoyance for me is at the end of the meal when it’s time to pay. I kid you not that I have yet to finish a meal in Italy and not have to ask for the check. I understand that Italy has a culture of eating and it’s intended to be a whole experience but it’s something I just can’t get used to. At times when we haven’t been in a rush I’ve attempted to wait it out and just see if a check would come but I’ve always caved, even waiting sometimes longer for the check than the time spent previously ordering and eating the meal. No amount of eye contact hand tapping, head nods or facial gestures has ever gotten the desired response. My tip here is, as temping as it may be, don’t sit in a corner away from all other diners. Once your food has been finished and plate cleared there is no chance a waiter/waitress is coming around your way again except to serve others making it impossible to ask for a check.
3. My final insight is regarding German sausage. Christina and I went to a really great place for lunch in Varenna with a substantial menu of pizza. I was having a hard time choosing and wanted to clarify Wurstel. The waitress said it was german sausage and I ordered with enthusiasm as sausage is my favorite kind of pizza and harder to find in Italy than you’d think (See Christina’s comment about ham). Christina and I had a good laugh and took note as we head to Germany in a couple of days when I was presented with a beautiful hotdog pizza. The meal was redeemed when we finished with an apple crepe topped with whipped cream and chocolate chunks which redefined my concept of a good crepe.
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