The Rules about Pasta

Italy is very much about tradition and protocol.  Most people find that odd considering the very laid back Italian lifestyle.  But they are pretty strict on this!


1. Any pasta sauce containing meat is not served with tube-like pasta, only wide and flat.  So if you're doing a bolognese, forget the pene!  You better use fettuccine.

2. Fish is only used in cream sauces, not tomato sauces.

3. Fresh grated cheese is never added to sauces with fish.  Our server in Rome almost had a heart attack when my mom asked for parmegiano on her lobster-topped pasta.  And then pulled out his "gun" and "shoot" my mom for ever requesting such a thing.

4. In the order of courses, pasta is second, or primi piatti.  You have your antipasti (appetizer), primi piatti (pasta, sometimes fish), secondi piatti (meat), contorno (vegetable), and then dolci (dessert).  After all that, you will probably need a cappuccino or te caldo.  Cioccolato caldo is only served to children.  Never ask for any other drink after your dinner meal.  In the USA, most pasta dishes are large enough to be an entree on its own.  In Italy, it is not usually the case.  You'll probably want an appetizer first.  But you can order just a pasta dish or just a meat dish if you don't think you'll be able to tackle all 5 courses.

5. For when you're cooking at home... al dente literally means "to the teeth" but that doesn't mean crunchy nor does it mean mushy.  Ever wonder why pasta packages say to boil for exactly 7 minutes, or 13 minutes?  That's just on the other side of raw.  When you bite into the pasta, it should be firm, with a bit for resistance, but not the hard crunch of raw pasta.  Constantly testing your pasta while boiling is the only way to check if it's al dente.  Mushy pasta is overcooked pasta.

6. Never ask for your server to pack your leftovers.  It's just simply not done.  You eat what you order, when you order.  And that's it.  The only time you can order something "to-go" is during lunch, and only from cafes or bars that have pre-made sandwiches and the like.

7. There is no such thing as a free refill.  Water isn't even free.  Ice isn't free either.  So pace yourself with your beverage selection.  Most places charge for bread too.