What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This just what I think.
Italy has a wonderful tradition of fine culinary. Italian food’s importance to Italian culture shouldn’t be overstated. It is one of several central elements, and why don’t it be? Think about Italy’s geography for a second:
It runs the distance from north to south. Therefore, it has a wide array of skyrocketing seasons and soil types. This means a rich diversity of ingredients for food.
It is a peninsula, meaning it is nearly surrounded with sea but also connected to fantastic Eurasian land size. There is an abundance of fresh seafood and foreign ingredients from neighboring lands.
It sits between Europe and Africa in the Med. All Mediterranean cultures have excellent food traditions from North Africa to Lebanon and Israel, France, Greece, Spain and, of course, The country of italy.
When you think of noodles and pasta, you probably involving Italy, but those wonderful inventions reached Italy from China thanks to Marco Polo. It informs you a lot about Italian food culture that something so basic became along with Italy even although it did not originate there.
Anyway, food is really a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is easily important part of the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and stylish decor, and wonderful service, but a suitable Italian restaurant will immediately get by on great food alone, even if they have a crummy wine list, poor service, having a dingy decoration schemes.
By the way, if you leave an “Italian” restaurant hungry, it’s rarely 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 cost you $400 for a morsel that makes you want to stop for a slice of pizza along the way home. A great Italian ristorante will leave you full, not stuffed, but full.
The second regarding a great Italian restaurant is there isn’t a. The service will be warm and professional, but not overly friendly. Since the orders are taken and the meal gets rolling, this service membership should be nearly invisible. Run — don’t walk — from any Italian restaurant where the waitperson address the table like this:
“How you guys doin’ today?” when ladies are seated while dining. This is most un-Italian with them. An Italian would never call women “guy.” Even in spaghetti-and-meatballs-type places, the waiter might say, “How is everyone this evening?” The won’t tarry with small talk in the white-tablecloth places, not numerous ones, anyway. It is all about the meal and your comfort.
The third aspect connected with a great Italian restaurant could be the ambiance. I don’t know what it is, but Italians are able carryout a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I’ve eaten at places in strip malls in the suburban areas of Denver — as un-romantic an environment as can be — that come close to great. A totally outstanding Italian restaurant will just have a certain feeling from when you walk in the door, a warmth and a glow that can’t actually be described.
So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance third. If all three are met, you are recommending a great Italian restaurant.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444