What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This exactly 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 don’t it be? Think about Italy’s geography for a second:
It runs the distance 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 can nearly surrounded by the sea but also connected to fantastic Eurasian land bulk. 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 think about Italy, but those wonderful inventions began to 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 though it did not originate there.
Anyway, food can be a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is the most important part within the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will possess a great wine list, a clean and stylish decor, and wonderful service, but a first rate Italian restaurant maybe by on great food alone, even when 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 not always authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do attain a great great bistro making. Frankly, I can’t stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that charge $400 for a morsel that forces you to want to stop for a slice of pizza en route 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, however, not overly friendly. Wedding ceremony orders are taken and the meal gets rolling, this service membership 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 at the table. This is most un-Italian of them. An Italian would never call like a “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 fortunately ones, anyway. It is all about the meal and the comfort.
The third aspect in regards to a great Italian restaurant may be the ambiance. I not really know what it is, but Italians appear to be able carryout a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I have eaten at places in strip malls in the suburban areas of Denver — as un-romantic an environment as considerably more — arrive close to great. A totally outstanding Italian restaurant will just possess a certain feeling from the minute you walk in the door, a warmth collectively with a glow that can’t often 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 restaurant.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct, Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444