Italian restaurant definitions

By Ed Biado

Who doesn’t love eating Italian? Because of the globalization of Italian cuisine, we are familiar with words such as pizzeria, ristorante, and osteria. But do we really know what they mean? If you’re eating at an Italian restaurant in Metro Manila, it doesn’t matter. When you’re in Italy, though, you might get lost in translation. Here’s why:

Ristorante- Traditonally used to name a full-serviced fine-dining restaurant; the term “ristorante” is now being thrown around by restaurants worldwide because it sounds fancy. And yes, it is fancy. That’s exactly why, in Italy, it is only used by upscale dinner venues that deserve the label.

Trattoria- Less formal than the ristorante, a trattoria is often a family-run establishment that boast of a homey ambience and recipes passed down through the generations. They’re inexpensive and are known to serve food family and home-cooked style. Local wines are usually offered to match the dishes.

Osteria- The menu is often verbal (recited by the server) and simple, without many choices, an osteria serves local specialties of the region. Some are open only dinner service, while some are open for both lunch and dinner. The latter closes between those hours.

Pizzeria- Internationally, pizzeria serves pizza and other Italian dishes. But in its purist form, it should only have pizza baked using a pizzaiolo, a wood-fired oven. The pizza is available to be taken out, like in the form of authentic folded Neapolitan pizza that can be eaten like a sandwich.

Tavola calda- Literally meaning “hot table”, a tavola calda is a self-service bar with many different foods served on a hot tray. Some tavola caldas take individual orders, but these are usually pre-made dishes that can be heated quickly.

Paninoteca- A sandwich shop that sells primarily Panini (sandwiches made with ciabatta bread, salami, and cheese), a paninoteca also serves a variety of hot and cold sandwiches and coffee.

Birreria- Specializing on what it sounds like (beer), a birreria is abar that’s open in the afternoon all through the night. Beer is usually accompanied by Panini and other delicacies that can be availed of in a paninoteca. Birrerias are most commonly found in cenral and northern Italy.

Caffé- Open the entire day from 6 a.m., a caffe is a coffee shop that serves breakfast colazione, snacks and sandwiches. Often on the menu are brioche, sputini, tramezzini, and Panini. Soft drinks, juices and even alcoholic beverages are also available.

Sala da te- Translated as “tea room”, a salad te serves pastries and tea.

Gelateria- A gelateria is an Italian ice cream parlor. It sella gelato, the famous Italian ice cream that’s less fatty and differs significantly from the western ice cream.