What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This exactly 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 several central elements, and why don’t it be? Think about Italy’s geography for a second:
It runs a long way from north to south. Therefore, it possesses a great wide array of growing seasons and soil types. This means a rich diversity of ingredients for food.
It is a peninsula, meaning it is nearly surrounded by the sea but also connected to fantastic Eurasian land size. 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, Croatia.
When you think of noodles and pasta, you probably think about 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 along with Italy even although it did not originate there.
Anyway, food is really a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is regarded as important part of the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and stylish decor, and wonderful service, but a suitable Italian restaurant will immediately get by on great food alone, even if 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 far from authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do not a great bistro making. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that cost you $400 for a morsel that makes you want to stop for a slice of pizza during your studies home. A great Italian ristorante will leave you full, not stuffed, but full.
The second regarding a great Italian restaurant is there isn’t a. The service will be warm and professional, but 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 everyone doin’ at some point?” when ladies are seated while dining. This is most un-Italian industry experts. An Italian would never call women “guy.” Even in 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 fantastic ones, anyway. It is all about the meal likewise comfort.
The third aspect of a great Italian restaurant could be the ambiance. I don’t know what it is, but Italians seem to be able to create 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 totally outstanding Italian restaurant will just have a certain feeling from when you walk in the door, a warmth and a glow that can’t sometimes be described.
So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance third. If all three are met, you say that a great Italian bistro.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444