| Italy is home to some of the most wonderful food | | | | The key is to only choose as much as you think you'll |
| and restaurants on the planet. Here, we take a look | | | | be able to eat - if you don't want to select |
| at how to avoid being daunted by the complexities | | | | something from each section then don't do so! |
| of a traditional Italian menu. | | | | I would generally opt for a first course, possibly of |
| One of my favourite parts of Italy is the area to the | | | | rissotto (a rice based dish that northern Italian |
| north of venice and Verona. The region, | | | | restaurants specialise in) and then go for a |
| encompassing the famous lakes of Garda and Como, | | | | meat-based secondo (second course), with a side |
| also has some of the finest restaurants in Europe. | | | | dish. |
| I remember visiting Italy for the first time and looking | | | | Mention of a side dish reminds me that most |
| forward to a meal in one of the region's famous | | | | restaurants don't serve potatoes, vegetables or salad |
| restaurants. On sitting down in a typical trattoria (a | | | | with a meat dish as standard - you'll need to ask for |
| slightly less formal Italian restaurant), I found myself | | | | it as a separate side dish. |
| somewhat overwhelmed when presented with the | | | | I'd find that opting for the first course, second |
| menu. | | | | course and side dish would be just right - maybe |
| For those of you who have not travelled in Italy, let | | | | leaving room for a dessert if you have a sweet |
| me enlighten you: a traditional Italian menu looks very | | | | tooth. |
| confusing! | | | | Most importantly, make sure that you enjoy the |
| The first thing that you notice is that there just | | | | whole experience of dining out in Italy. |
| seem to be so many options! Many restaurant menus | | | | Keith Barrett has written more about the various |
| have five different sections - you are being | | | | courses served in Italian restaurants in his article on |
| presented with a plethora of options! | | | | Garda restaurants, produced as part of his work as a |
| Fortunately you don't have to select something from | | | | travel writer. This article may be used by any |
| every section of the menu, although many Italian | | | | website publisher, though this resource box must |
| families do like to make a real event of eating out. | | | | always be included in full. |