Italy is a great country for food. But there are some things you need to know before assuming that every meal will be the best of your life. If you are headed to Italy (specifically Tuscany) these are some things that will make the experience all the better: BREAKFAST: This was the toughest part of the trip for me. I am big on eggs in the morning. I like them hard boiled, scrambled, sunny side up. For me; breakfast with no eggs is no breakfast at all. The typical Italian breakfast will involve some sort of coffee and some sweet carb: cakes, cookies, croissants, toasted bread and jam. Some places will offer cured meats and cheeses (which are nice for a few days; but after a month in Italy I was done with any cured meats). If you absolutely must have your eggs, look for a place that offers American breakfast. BARKERS: If you see a barker – RUN! WORKER’S LUNCH: If you’re on a budget this will be your savior. Workers in Italy don’t normally head home for lunch. Restaurants have capitalized on this with the Worker’s lunch. Think of it as an incredibly affordable prix fixe usually made up of 3 courses (with wine). COPERTO: I’m sure you’ve heard that there is no tipping in Italy; but don’t be upset when you see a small charge on your bill called Coperto. This charge is there to offset the cost of bread, washing dishes & linens and your server’s salary. If you find a place with a “Menu Fisso” the coperto is usually included; but it never hurts to ask. COURSES: Meals are a huge deal in Italy. Italians eat..they eat a lot. They just space it out over a much longer time than we do in the US. It gives friends and family time to chat, catch up and enjoy each other’s company. When you sit down to a traditional Italian meal you can expect a Primi (first course, usually pasta or soup), Secondi (entree or main course), Contorni (side dishes, we saw a lot of grilled vegetables in this course), Dolce (dessert, cheese or fruit) and of course coffee and a digestivo (amaro – not my cup of tea, but definitely helps with digestion). MENUS: If I can give you any piece of advice that will make your time in Tuscany better; it is to ignore the menu. Sit down, when handed the menu, set it to the side an ask your server what they recommend you eat or what the Chef would like to prepare. Your server’s frown will turn into a smile and you will be brought out some of the best dishes in the house. SAGRA: The best thing you can run into in Tuscany. A sagra is basically a feast focused on one type of food. What do I mean? Say you run into a Sagra De Cinghiale; that means that the town you are in specializes in wild boar and is having their wild boar fest. Local restaurants will feature dishes made with this gorgeous not-so-little piggy and you’ll be able to purchase some of the best local products to take back to your hotel room. Just keep a look out for posters advertising the sagra or ask the locals for a little info. APERITIVO: This does not refer to appetizers exactly. This is something that you will be missing upon your return trip from Italy. Italians customarily head to the bar before their (very late) meals. The nice thing about this is that bars offer aperitivo. When you order a drink, the restaurant serves you a small snack. The snack is different from bar to bar. Some bars will give you a few bites, while others will give you a full plate of pasta. This is a great way to keep your tummy happy and get to know the locals.
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