What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This is 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 the central elements, and why don’t it be? Think about Italy’s geography for a second:
It runs a long shot 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 is nearly surrounded by the sea but also connected to terrific Eurasian land aggregate. There is an abundance of fresh seafood and foreign ingredients from neighboring lands.
It sits between Europe and Africa in the Mediterranean and beyond. All Mediterranean cultures have excellent food traditions from North Africa to Lebanon and Israel, France, Greece, Spain and, of course, Croatia.
When you consider noodles and pasta, you probably imagine Italy, but those wonderful inventions came to Italy from China thanks to Marco Polo. It notifys you a lot about Italian food culture that something so basic became together with Italy even though it did not originate there.
Anyway, food is often a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is the most important part within the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and elegant decor, and wonderful service, but a reliable Italian restaurant maybe by on great food alone, even if they have a crummy wine list, poor service, including a dingy decoration schemes.
By the way, if you leave an “Italian” restaurant hungry, it’s in no way authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do rather than a great bistro acquire. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that impose $400 for a morsel that forces you to be 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 involving a great Italian restaurant is needed. The service will be warm and professional, even though overly friendly. Recognized orders are taken and the meal gets rolling, the service should be nearly invisible. Run — don’t walk — from any Italian restaurant where the waitperson address the table like this:
“How you doin’ at some point?” when ladies are seated at the table. This is most un-Italian . An Italian would never call ladies “guy.” 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 you’ll be able to ones, need. It is all about the meal likewise comfort.
The third aspect of any great Italian restaurant could be the ambiance. I’m not sure what it is, but Italians seem to be able to create wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I’ve eaten at places in strip malls in suburbia of Denver — as un-romantic an environment as there is — that come close to great. A totally 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 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 bistro.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444