A trattoria is a mid-priced, family-run Italian restaurant that offers simple dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. They focus on regional and local cuisine, with locally produced wines and ingredients. Trattorie may offer takeout, but the atmosphere is worth sitting down for. Outside of Italy, the term can be applied to any type of Italian restaurant, so it’s important to check reviews before assuming they are true to their name.
A trattoria is an Italian term for a fairly casual, mid-priced restaurant. Less formal than a restaurant and more formal than an osteria, the trattoria is traditionally a family-run establishment offering simple dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. Outside of Italy, the term can be applied to any type of Italian restaurant, which can lead to considerable confusion of expectations.
Restaurants in Italy focus almost as much on the atmosphere as the food, providing the visitor or resident with thousands of choices for any dining experience. In a trattoria, the mood is meant to be relaxed and fairly informal. While restaurants may offer a wide range of appetizers and different plates of food, diners prefer to offer a few well-executed entrees. Wine is often less expensive and served in a decanter, as opposed to the bottle.
In terms of cuisine, a trattoria in Italy will often offer regional, local and family favorites on the menu. The focus is generally on the best of local Italian food, rather than adopting a global cuisine. Wines and other beverages can come from local producers or even family vineyards. In family-run versions, the recipes can be centuries old and be a tribute to the long history of great Italian cuisine. Eating at this type of restaurant while traveling in Italy can give the tourist a real insight into the neighborhood and the region.
Foods commonly found on a trattoria’s menu will vary based on the regional cuisine. In coastal areas, expect to find copious amounts of seafood, usually grilled or fried. Indoor areas can focus on the wide variety of fresh vegetables and produce to create vegetable soups, homemade tomato sauce, and poultry or red meat dishes. Expect to find locally produced cheeses, wines and herbs featured on the menu.
The simple elegance of this type of restaurant makes it a great option for takeout or picnics. Many diners have extensive take-out menus that offer non travelers great food on the road. Unfortunately, getting the food does not allow the customer to enjoy the talk, mood and atmosphere of the restaurant, which is worth sitting down for.
Italian restaurants outside of Italy may designate themselves as trattorie to suggest a family-friendly style or relaxed atmosphere. The wise epicure might want to check the reviews before assuming these establishments are true to their name; while some may actually invoke the air of a traditional Italian café, others are simply chain restaurants masquerading under an Italian name.
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