Food here has definately been an adventure so far. (especially not being able to communicate) The first italian meal I had was in the hotes we stayed for orientation. We were brought an omelet thing, pasta, bread, chicken and greenbeans, and a dessert similar to chocolate pudding...all in separate servings. We really weren't sure when the food would stop coming. It was very good, and we got a taste of what an italian meal should be like.
Typically breakfast is not elaborate and consists of a pastry (cornetto) and a caffe. This is not like the coffee I am used to. It's basically what we call an espresso; a shot of STONG coffee served in an itty-bitty cup. At cafes or bars (Italians call little restaurants bars and bars are called pubs) you walk in, order, and usually stand at the counter to drink the caffe to avoid a sitting fee. Stefano, the program director, says drinking caffe is more like a habbit and many people go in, drink, and leave on the way to wherever they are headed. Italians drink caffe through the evening hours. Cappuccino is good here too! I had my first real caffe today...it's definately a way to get going in the morning.
Lunch for me is usually a small sandwich or a pizza to go from one of the various bars. Most of the sandwiches I've had were pretty bland. The worst was the tomato and parmesian. Pizzas aren't the same either, but are very good. The first pizza I had came from this long rectangular pizza that the owner cut with scissors. The tomato sauce (if used) is used sparingly and many pizzas are made with olive oil instead of tomato sauce.
Dinner normally starts at around 7:30 or later and can last for a while. Dinner in Italy is not rushed and is meant for good food, good wine and good conversation. You have to ask for the bill (conto) because the waiter will not bring it to you. I have eaten at a few pizzarias and have loved it every time! The pizza are HUGE and usually overflow the plate. The crust is thin, but I still haven't been able to finish a whole one myself like you are supposed to. Some places serve house wine in a pitcher, and I have yet to find a wine I didn't like!
I will be taking a cuisine class and will hopefully learn how to prepare a full course meal. Because of the expense of eating out every meal, I have started to cook in the dorms. It's not as fun as eating out all the time...but it's food!
Typically breakfast is not elaborate and consists of a pastry (cornetto) and a caffe. This is not like the coffee I am used to. It's basically what we call an espresso; a shot of STONG coffee served in an itty-bitty cup. At cafes or bars (Italians call little restaurants bars and bars are called pubs) you walk in, order, and usually stand at the counter to drink the caffe to avoid a sitting fee. Stefano, the program director, says drinking caffe is more like a habbit and many people go in, drink, and leave on the way to wherever they are headed. Italians drink caffe through the evening hours. Cappuccino is good here too! I had my first real caffe today...it's definately a way to get going in the morning.
Lunch for me is usually a small sandwich or a pizza to go from one of the various bars. Most of the sandwiches I've had were pretty bland. The worst was the tomato and parmesian. Pizzas aren't the same either, but are very good. The first pizza I had came from this long rectangular pizza that the owner cut with scissors. The tomato sauce (if used) is used sparingly and many pizzas are made with olive oil instead of tomato sauce.
Dinner normally starts at around 7:30 or later and can last for a while. Dinner in Italy is not rushed and is meant for good food, good wine and good conversation. You have to ask for the bill (conto) because the waiter will not bring it to you. I have eaten at a few pizzarias and have loved it every time! The pizza are HUGE and usually overflow the plate. The crust is thin, but I still haven't been able to finish a whole one myself like you are supposed to. Some places serve house wine in a pitcher, and I have yet to find a wine I didn't like!
I will be taking a cuisine class and will hopefully learn how to prepare a full course meal. Because of the expense of eating out every meal, I have started to cook in the dorms. It's not as fun as eating out all the time...but it's food!
1 comment:
This means when you get back, you are going to cook Italian for all your coworkers?
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