Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(una porzione piccola)
:
most restaurants will prepare
a half portion
(mezza
porzione)
if requested.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Few restaurants make special
provision for wheelchairs,
though a word when you are
booking should ensure a
conveniently situated table
and assistance on arrival.
DRESS CODE
Italians are relaxed about
eating out, but nevertheless
like to dress up to dine. If in
doubt, check if formal dress is
required when booking.
The 13th-century Il Pozzo in Monteriggioni
(see p279)
CHOICE OF WINE
Cash is the preferred form of
payment in most cafés and
bars, but many restaurants,
particularly the more expens-
ive, will accept major credit
cards. Check which cards are
accepted when booking.
House wines will usually be
Chiantis or some close cousin.
The cheaper establishments
usually have only house wine,
or a small choice of other
Tuscan wines. Those in the
€40-€50 price range will have
a fuller selection of regional
wines, as well as wines from
other parts of Italy. At the top
of the scale, there should be
a wide range of Italian and
local wines, and, as at the
Enoteca Pinchiorri
(see p271)
,
a selection of French and
other foreign vintages.
(See
also pp268-9.)
READING THE MENU
A meal in a restaurant will
usually start with
antipasti,
or
hors d'œuvres (hams, olives,
salamis, crostini), followed by
primi
(soups, pasta or rice).
Main courses -
secondi
- will
be meat or fish, either served
alone or accompanied by
vegetables
(contorni)
or a
salad
(insalata)
.
To finish, there will probably
be a choice of fruit
(frutta)
,
cheese
(formaggio)
, puddings
(dolci)
, or a combination of
all three. Coffee - always
espresso, never cappuccino -
is ordered at the end of a meal,
often with a
digestivo
(see
p269)
. In cheaper restaurants,
the menu
(il menù
or
la lista)
may be written on a black-
board and in many establish-
ments the waiter
(cameriere)
will recite the chef's daily
specials at your table.
CHILDREN
Children are generally
welcome in restaurants, but
less so in the evening and in
more up-market places. Special
facilities such as high chairs
are not commonly provided.
Check the menu for the
option of a small portion
Chic, modern decor at Osteria
Tornabuoni, Florence
(see p272)
MAKING RESERVATIONS
Florence's best restaurants
in all price ranges are well
patronized. It is therefore
advisable to try and reserve
a table, even in the more
down-market places. Where
restaurants do not accept
bookings, try to arrive early
to avoid queuing.
SMOKING
Legislation requires restau-
rants and bars throughout
Italy to provide separate no-
smoking areas or they will be
fined. At cafés and restaurants
that do not provide sealed-off
areas, smoking is limited to
outside tables.
The dark wood interior of Osteria le Logge in Siena
(see p280)
