menu

Same spelling, same meaning, a slightly different pronunciation. The real difference is in the way it is organized. The typical Italian ristorante (restaurant) menu lists dishes divided into sections that include:

• antipasti (appetizers)
• primi (first courses)
• secondi (second courses)
• contorni (side dishes)
• dolci (desserts)

The middle three items describe the way we approach the main part of a meal. Primi are pasta or rice dishes, or soups (minestre). Polenta and gnocchi are also primi. Secondi are meat or fish dishes. Nowadays, vegetarian options are also usually available. Side dishes (contorni) are listed separately. As a customer, you may order an item from each section of the menu: antipasto (literally, before the meal), primo, secondo, contorno, dolce (these words are all the singular version of the ones given above in the plural). You may also choose to skip one or more items. Primo, secondo and contorno make up the basic meal. I grew up eating this triad at the main meal, pranzo (lunch).

At home now, I prefer a more egalitarian approach to the traditional organization based on courses. I like to put all offerings on the table, except for dessert, and let the guests decide the order and/or combination. I like seeing several serving plates being passed back and forth, while the conversation flows. (Note that the photo on the left was taken before I put a portion of secondo on my plate, which therefore only holds, from left to right, some antipasto, contorno and primo. Hopefully my friend Christine of Christine Cooks will post about her delicious contorno portrayed here and I will write about the primo.)

After the main part of the meal is over, I like to pause for a short time, then serve il dolce (dessert). At home in Italy, we ended up il pranzo with some frutta (fruit), except on Sunday (domenica), when we would have dessert, most often paste (pastries) from the pasticceria that happened to be the current family favorite. I am planning to talk more about paste in a future post. In the meantime, you can read about one type of them, bignè con la crema (cream puffs).

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Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post: 

menu

or launch the  menu  audio file [mp3].

[Depending on your set-up, the audio file will be played within the browser or by your mp3 player application. Please, contact me if you encounter any problems.]

Comments

[Lisa]

Do I see caponata on that plate as the antipasto?! What a nice triad. But you do have me wondering what the secondo was. :)

If I'm having dessert, I also like to take some time after the main part of the meal before serving/eating it.

[Simona]

Yes, Lisa, that is my second caponata. The secondo was a frittata with kale from my little garden and fresh chevre ;)

[Paz]

Yum, yum, yum, yum...

Paz

[Maryann]

The Italian way of serving courses just makes so much sense to me. Hope you are doing well, Simona :)

[blorenzutta]

Ciao Simona. It's all well and good about ethics of serving dishes. As a 10 to 15 yr old, I remember the whole family being at another family's place with dozens of other families including kids, eating and everyone singing in 5 to 6 part harmonies, all the songs from Fiume and surrounds. Then, after midnight my Mum and Dad would invite all back to our place to a hot pasta sciutta (check the spelling)with more wine and more 'canzoni' waiting for the 'alba'
Those were the days.. Bruno

[Susan from Food Blogga]

May I talk you with me the next time I go out for Italian? :)

[blorenzutta]

Hi Susan... Absolutely.. we can eat and drink till dawn.. haven't done it for years.... Bruno

[Susan]

Thanks for the primer, Simona. I have a cookbook, "Primi Piatti," that features antipasti and primi recipes. I'm more than happy to make a meal of these first two courses, especially during the summer.

[Simona]

Hi Paz: you make me smile.

Hi Maryann. I grew up with it and for many years that's all I knew.

Ciao Bruno. Sound like a lot of fun. Italians sure know how to stretch a meal until the wee hours.

Susan, too bad we do not live close to each other!

Agree, Susan. A nice pasta makes a refreshing summer meal.

[Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes]

Simona - this is one of my absolute favorite posts! Eating in Italian restaurants often I need to get that correct pronunciation. I love the audio file!! I have to practice gnocchi, as I have been saying Knee-o-key. haha

[Simona]

Hi Lori Lynn and thanks for the kind words. I am glad you found the post helpful.

[Christine]

I've been so behind in checking out my food blogger buddy's posts that I didn't see this one until now. And you so kindly mentioned me too!
That was a wonderful dinner, every course. However, all I can say about the 'contorno' is that we grilled patty pans, red peppers and tossed them together. It's not what I would call terribly blogworthy - like your delicious raspberry risotto! :)

[Simona]

Christine, the contorno was delicious and complemented well the rest of the spread. I will write about the raspberry soon.