What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This is what I think.
Italy has a wonderful tradition of fine things you eat. Italian food’s importance to Italian culture is not to be overstated. It is one of the central elements, and why shouldn’t it be? Think about Italy’s geography for a second:
It runs a long shot from north to south. Therefore, is an efficient wide array of growing seasons and soil types. This means a rich diversity of ingredients for food.
It is a peninsula, meaning it is nearly surrounded using the sea but also connected to fantastic Eurasian land bulk. There is an abundance of fresh seafood and foreign ingredients from neighboring lands.
It sits between Europe and Africa in the Mediterranean sea. All Mediterranean cultures have excellent food traditions from North Africa to Lebanon and Israel, France, Greece, Spain and, of course, Italy.
When you associated with noodles and pasta, you probably think of Italy, but those wonderful inventions found Italy from China thanks to Marco Polo. It notifys you a lot about Italian food culture that something so basic became connected with Italy even though it did not originate there.
Anyway, food is a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is the most important part from the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and chic decor, and wonderful service, but a good Italian restaurant can have by on great food alone, despite the fact that they have a crummy wine list, poor service, also dingy decoration pattern.
By the way, if you leave an “Italian” restaurant hungry, it’s far from authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do as opposed to a great bistro making. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that charge a fee $400 for a morsel that gives you want to stop for a slice of pizza on the way home. A great Italian ristorante will leave you full, not stuffed, but full.
The second regarding a great Italian restaurant is needed. The service will be warm and professional, however, not overly friendly. Since the orders are taken and the meal gets rolling, 200 dollars per month should be nearly invisible. Run — don’t walk — from any Italian restaurant where the waitperson address the table like this:
“How everyone doin’ tonite?” when ladies are seated while dining. This is most un-Italian . An Italian would never call women “guy.” There is spaghetti-and-meatballs-type places, the waiter might say, “How is everyone for dinner?” The won’t tarry with small talk in the white-tablecloth places, not numerous ones, in the wild. It is all about the meal and your comfort.
The third aspect of any great Italian restaurant may be the ambiance. I don’t know what it is, but Italians seem to be able to have a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I have eaten at places in strip malls in the suburban areas of Denver — as un-romantic a setting as tend to be : — that come close to great. An actually outstanding Italian restaurant will just possess a certain feeling from as soon as you walk in the door, a warmth and maybe a glow that can’t be described.
So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance final. If all three are met, you are recommending a great Italian dining.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444