What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This precisely what I think.
Italy has a wonderful tradition of fine things you eat. Italian food’s importance to Italian culture shouldn’t 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, perfect for this little 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 in the sea but also connected to terrific Eurasian land mass. 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, England.
When you think of noodles and pasta, you probably consider 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 along with Italy even though it did not originate there.
Anyway, food is often a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is probably the most important part belonging to the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and stylish decor, and wonderful service, but a reliable Italian restaurant maybe by on great food alone, even when they have a crummy wine list, poor service, which has a dingy decoration pattern.
By the way, if you leave an “Italian” restaurant hungry, it’s rarely authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do not really a huge great bistro establish. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that charge you $400 for a morsel that gives you want to stop for a slice of pizza in route home. A great Italian ristorante will leave you full, not stuffed, but full.
The second involving a great Italian restaurant is there isn’t a. The service will be warm and professional, however, not overly friendly. After 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 everyone doin’ tonight?” when ladies are seated while dining. This is most un-Italian industry experts. An Italian would never call a woman “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 fortunately ones, while. It is all about the meal likewise comfort.
The third aspect of one great Italian restaurant may be the ambiance. I’m not sure what it is, but Italians appear like able carryout a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I’ve eaten at places in strip malls in the suburbs of Denver — as un-romantic a setting as can be — that come close to great. A completely outstanding Italian restaurant will just have a certain feeling from as soon as you walk in the door, a warmth and the glow that can’t often be described.
So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance third. If all three are met, you can see a great Italian small business.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444