Eating out - Lesson 2 - Conversation:

Io vorrei gli spaghetti alle vongole

(Ordering a meal and drinks)


(photo by  jeffreyw used under terms of Creative Commons license.)
spaghetti


 






Cameriere:

Allora, avete deciso?

Don Smith:

Per cominciare, io vorrei gli spaghetti alle vongole.

Cameriere:

Anche Lei, Signora?

Signora Smith:

No, io vorrei della pastina in brodo.

Cameriere:

E per secondo?

Don Smith:

Non so. Vediamo. Cos‘ è il fritto misto?

Cameriere:

Calamari, gamberi, e triglie. È molto buono.

Don Smith:

Va bene, lo prendo.

Signora Smith:

Io una bistecca. No, un momento. Invece vorrei del pesce in bianco.

Cameriere:

E per contorno? Abbiamo patate fritte, spinaci al burro, zucchine saltate.

Signora Smith:

No, preferisco dell'insalata verde.

Don Smith:

Io prenderei uno di quei carciofi che ho visto lì.

Cameriere:

Che bevete?

Don Smith:

Mah. Ci porti una bottiglia di acqua minerale e un litro di vino bianco. Cameriere, per antipasto ci porti due prosciutto e melone, per favore.

 

Translation:

Waiter:

So, have you decided?

Don Smith:

To start, I'd like spaghetti and clams.

Waiter:

You also, ma'am?

Mrs. Smith:

No, I'd like some pasta in clear broth.

Waiter:

And for the second course?

Don Smith:

I don't know. Let's see. What is the mixed fried seafood?

Waiter:

Squid, crawfish, and mullet. It's very good.

Don Smith:

OK, I'll take it.

Mrs. Smith:

I, a steak. No, [wait] a moment. Instead I would like some poached fish.

Waiter:

And for a side dish? We have fried potatoes, spinach with butter, sauteed zucchini.

Mrs. Smith:

No, I prefer some green salad.

Don Smith:

I'll take one of those artichokes that I saw there

Waiter:

What are you drinking?

Don Smith:

Hmmm. Bring us a bottle of mineral water and a liter of white wine. Waiter, for antipasto bring us two prosciutto and melon, please.


 



Notes on conversation

1. Pastina, "small macaroni." Many forms of pasta are served with different sauces, and in the north, you can also find risotto, "rice," polenta, "corn meal," and a variety of seafood.

2. Fritto misto, "mixed fried seafood."

3. Ho visto, "I saw" and "I have seen." This is the past tense of vedo, "I see."

4. "What" in Italian can be che, cosa, or che cosa. Cosa in front of a vowel becomes cos‘.

5. Ci porti, "Bring us."

6. At a restaurant, if you are not familiar with the wine of a region, then order the house wine, red or white, If you don't wish to drink wine, simply turn your wine glass upside down. You may order mineral water, acqua minerale, which comes carbonated or noncarbonated.

7. Each regione, "region," offers specialita', "specialties." Southerners cook with oil, tomatoes, and spices, and northerners use a lot of butter, milk, cream, and cheese.

8. Italians don't drink coffee with their meals. Restaurants and bars do not serve American coffee.