|
Spaghetti and Meatballs
|
Traditional Italian dish, with meatballs made of minced pork and beef, herbs and minced onion and garlic, and served in a rich thick tomato based ragu sauce. Can be served sometimes with shredded fresh basil or oregano and shavings of parmesan. As with carbonara, it tends to be served with garlic bread and side salad.
|
Italian
|
|
Grilled Vegetables with Dips
|
A very easy but delicious dish of grilled or chargilled vegetables, cooked with herbs, spices and garlic are served with a selection of dips on a large platter, put in the centre of the table for everyone to enjoy. A selection of eggplant, zucchini, red onions and round squash and turnips would be a usual combination, but also grilled baby corn and capsicum. Plenty of different dips are included as well as yoghurt and sauces.
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Lamb cutlets with garlic and rosemary
|
Usually on every Italian menu, small trimmed lamb chops or cutlets are served steeped in fresh rosemary and garlic and pan fried or grilled. Served with sauté potatoes and vegetables, it is a hearty plate of food and delicious flavours. Tender pink lamb is enhanced by the earthy rosemary and garlic.
|
Italian
|
|
Minestrone Soup
|
The classic and renowned Italian soup, comprising small pasta shapes, a rich chicken stock and finely diced vegetables such as celery, onions, tomatoes, carrots beans and herbs. Created in Ancient Roman times this soup is now served in many different ways, some finely and others much more chunky and hearty. A sprinkling of parmesan and a good basket of bread makes this really filling.
|
Italian
|
|
Lasagne Primavera
|
A delicious vegetarian lasagne usually made with spinach pasta and a selected of sliced vegetables such as eggplant, courgette, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions and covered in a béchamel sauce. Served with garlic bread and salad, this is a lovely dish for non-meat eaters.
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Noodles with Coconut Vegetable Curry
|
A lovely dish even for meat eaters! Delicate soft cooked noodles are served with a mixture of vegetables steeped in a coconut curry sauce full of herbs and spices. A good selection of vegetables such as potatoes, squash, onions, carrots, peas and green beans all cooked to perfection. Served with flatbreads or chapattis and usually a side tray of dips and yoghurt with cucumber. Tofu can be added if required.
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Napoletana pasta sauce
|
An amazing vegetarian italian option. Crushed tomato, onion, garlic, basil and parmesan. Sounds simple but bursting with lots of flavour.
|
Italian
|
|
Osso Buco
|
A dish invented in Ancient Roman Times and perfected over the years to a more sophisticated Italian meal, consisting of cross-cut veal shanks, braised in red wine, onions, celery and carrots and served with a gremolata on the top (optional).
|
Italian
|
|
Bruschetta
|
Delicious slices of bread, rubbed with garlic and tomato and seasoned before grilling. Various toppings are served, the most popular being diced tomatoes and red onion with finely chopped garlic and basil. Can also be served with a pesto topping, and sometimes with roasted aubergine and mushrooms. Usually a starter, but can be purchased as a main course.
|
Italian
|
|
Mushroom Burger
|
No bread involved in this burger – the filling is full of vegetables and herbs, and the ‘bun’ is comprised of two large grilled Portobello mushrooms. Quite a lot of garlic is usually included in this dish to give it oodles of flavour. Can be served with chips or salad as an accompaniment, and a selection of dips and sauces.
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Pumpkin and Feta Ravioli
|
A very popular pasta dish in vegetarian restaurants with delicate but lightly spiced pumpkin and rich feta cheese. The pasta is normally served with either a burnt butter sauce, including garlic, or with a spinach and finely chopped tomato sauce with herbs. A sprinkling of pine nuts usually completes the dish.
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Tomato Risotto
|
A simple but effective dish of Arborio rice and tomatoes, garlic and basil as the accompanying herb. The rice is cooked in a pan with white wine, seasoning and garlic with the finely chopped tomatoes being added towards the end. A touch of cream and a scattering of basil completes the dish with some parmesan cheese also added towards the end. Plenty of French or Italian bread to wipe your bowl with is a good idea!
|
Vegetarian
|
|
Chianti
|
In rustic Italian restaurants, you can still see empty bottles of Chianti grouped together and hanging around the bar or ceiling! Old Chianti bottles used to be covered in a basket weave, and often used to house a candle on your table, so that the wax dripped down the outside of the bottle! The wine itself is red and relatively light in comparison to heavier Italian wines such as Barolo. Chianti is produced primarily in the beautiful region of Tuscany, and is eminently drinkable!
|
Italian
|
|
Soave
|
Another popular wine, this white wine is produced in the Veneto region of Italy, around the city of Verona, home to many Shakespeare plays! It is comparatively dry and was once the ‘in’ drink in the 1970’s but was overtaken by Pinot Grigiot towards the 1980’s
|
Italian
|
|
Peroni
|
The most popular of beers served in Italian restaurants, it is not the cheapest one around but still sells more than any other. 5% alcohol, a slightly ‘hoppy’ taste but very refreshing when served in iced cold frosted glasses.
|
Italian
|
|
Juices
|
A large selection of fresh juices are normally available, being made at the counter. Varieties of vegetable and fruit, some with the addition of spices. A spicy carrot and tomato juice is fantastic as it will contain ginger and cumin but classics such as fresh berry juice with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are also very popular
|
Vegetarian
|