​It’s sometimes difficult to figure out an Italian menu especially on your first trip to Italy.  What the heck is a primo piatto and why are the meatball separate from the pasta?  My husband Domenico has taught me so much about how Italians eat and the order in which we eat.  I’ve explained here what was explained to me.

First of all if you go out for an aperitivo, it means you’re going out for pre-dinner drinks.  Italians never drink without food so there is always some sort of nibbly served with your drink.  This could be anything from peanuts or olives to mini-sandwiches or salami. 

Dinner Is Served!

1. Antipasto is like the appetizers.  They can be hot or cold and includes everything from bruschetta to frittata.
2. Primo Piatto is the ‘first plate’ and is usually pasta, risotto ‘rice’, polenta, or gnocchi.  This dish is meant to be sort of a side plate – not a main meal.  It is rarely served with meat such as meatballs or sausage like you may be used to back home.
3. Secondo Piatto comes after the pasta dish and is called the second plate.  This is where the meat comes in to play.  Grilled lamb, pork or chicken or oven baked dishes can be served.
4. Contorno is served after the meat or with the meat and is usually the vegetable side dishes.  Potato, spinach, carrots, zuchini or salad are typical contorni.
5. Dolce is the dessert.  Typical sweets include panna cotta, tiramisu, crostada or gelato.

Unless we are going out for a special meal, we usually order either the first or second plate but not always both. When you order the primo piatto only they usually give you a little bit extra.

Extras
Digestivo is intended to help digest your meal and settle your stomach.  The ones usually served in Abruzzo are Ginsiana and Rataffia.  The first is very bitter and drank in a shot glass the former is swetter but still a bit bitter.  Other after dinner drinks can include
Cafe is only ordered as espresso or possibly with a bit of milk.  Cappuchino is never ordered after a meal as it is considered a morning drink.
Bread is always served with your meal but it’s probably better not to eat too much of it because the meal will be filling!
Wine is ordered and served just before the first plate arrives.