What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This just what I think.
Italy has a wonderful tradition of fine things you eat. Italian food’s importance to Italian culture can’t be overstated. It is one of several 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, offers wide array of accelerating seasons and soil types. This means a rich diversity of ingredients for food.
It is a peninsula, meaning can nearly surrounded using the sea but also connected to fantastic Eurasian land mass. 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, 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 together with Italy even though it did not originate there.
Anyway, food can be a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is regarded as important part within the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and chic decor, and wonderful service, but a suitable Italian restaurant are certain to get by on great food alone, despite the fact that they have a crummy wine list, poor service, and a dingy decoration pattern.
By the way, if you leave an “Italian” restaurant hungry, it’s far from authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do not a great bistro establish. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that charge a fee $400 for a morsel that makes 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 aspect of a great Italian restaurant is needed. The service will be warm and professional, even so, not overly friendly. Following your 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 all of you doin’ tonight?” when ladies are seated at the table. This is most un-Italian . An Italian would never call a woman “guy.” During spaghetti-and-meatballs-type places, the waiter might say, “How is everyone today?” The won’t tarry with small talk in the white-tablecloth places, not fortunately ones, need. It is all about the meal likewise comfort.
The third aspect of any great Italian restaurant will be the ambiance. I not really know what it is, but Italians are able to build a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I have eaten at places in strip malls in suburbia of Denver — as un-romantic an environment as tend to be : — arrive close to great. An absolutely outstanding Italian restaurant will just possess a certain feeling from as soon as you walk in the door, a warmth and a glow that can’t be described.
So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance three rd. If all three are met, you have found a great Italian dining.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444