How to Eat Italian: Must-Try Dishes
Italian menus can vary widely depending on the restaurant’s regional specialties, but look for some of these classic dishes.
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Navigating the Menu
Heading out for Italian food? Menus can vary widely from restaurant to restaurant, but here are some classics you'll want to order if they're offered.
Caponata Bruschetta
Crostini topped with a mixture of chopped olives, eggplant, capers, garlic and tomatoes
White Bean Bruschetta
Crostini topped with a mixture of white beans, roasted garlic and pecorino
Caprese Salad
Mozzarella (in this case, the extra-creamy Burrata) served over tomato and basil and dressed with olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, and salt and pepper
Fennel Salad
Shaved-fennel salad made with arugula, fresh herbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano and extra virgin olive oil
Rustic Bread with Olive Oil
Keep the bread around for sopping up pasta sauces.
Gnocchi
Italian "dumplings" generally made from potatoes, flour or farina, served here in a tomato sauce
Rigatoni with Meatballs
Rigatoni pasta served in tomato sauce with meatballs and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese
Seppie Nere
Fresh squid-ink pasta with calamari served in a spicy tomato sauce
Tagliatelle Carbonara
Long, thin flat egg noodles with a sauce composed of cream, eggs, Parmesan cheese and bits of bacon
Tagliata Toscana
Grilled or pan-seared thinly sliced skirt steak with arugula and aged balsamic vinaigrette
Tiramisu
A dessert of sponge cake or ladyfingers dipped in a coffee-Marsala mixture, then layered with mascarpone and grated chocolate
Macchiato
Espresso with a dash of frothy steamed milk
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