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@@HDSpuerstar onestamente io e te siamo gli unici che non la mangiamo con contorno, semplicemente assapori di più la carne se non hai niente insieme, però la tradizione è di mettercelo il contorno, tutti apparte noi ce lo mettono
I am from Florence and i was stunned by your knowledge of our costumes and uses. Very well explained all the dishes and our way of "eating" without falling in the same old cliché. I can recognize a man who pays the fair deserved respect to the place he visits. Great job Gregor
@@enricoaldobrandi2 più che altro gli anglosassoni portano nel dna 🧬 un gene modificato che gli impedisce di mangiare decentemente e di organizzare un pensiero storico gastronomico che non sia dell’orrore
Hey my friend. I’m watching your videos every night. I’m going to be in Italy in September for 3 weeks. Im super nervous…Have a whole world of things booked already. Dig your Persol’s BTW…Anyhow, I’m a picky eater, no fish or red meat and pork…just chicken and turkey. If they don’t have it there, then that’s fine, but how do I ask for sauces on pasta without meat? Is there any chicken dishes? I’ll be in Florence, so I’ll keep n eye out for you. I’m coming from Venice, California and will also be going to Venice when I’m there. I’m Ron.
There are definitely some chicken (more often) and turkey courses, maybe not as many as pork and beef, but You will find something. Otherwise more or less everywhere You can rely on vegetarian options (vegan ones do exist, but are quite rare). And restaurants are used to foreign guests, thus simply tell what You cannot or do not want to eat, and they will advise You of what fits Your needs. Same for gluten free issues.
I think it is really important that you point out "No stress!". Expect eating at a restaurant to take time. Also, the waiters will not hang over your shoulder. They will often leave you and your company alone, until you notice them. It is NOT bad service, it is respect for your privacy when you are eating. They expect/want you to have a slow and nice time at their place. They don´t ask you questions all the time, because you are enjoying a meal. Btw, it is the same in Austria/Vienna.
@@jokervienna6433 Obviously it isn't the restaurant's fault. I didn't say it was. But given the choice of eating in a restaurant next to a construction yard and eating in one not next to a construction yard I'd pick the latter, because 'no stress'.
@@JimCarner777 well, that is kind of obvious, right? I´ll do the same. Or go the restaurant towards the evening, then the construction workers are gone. Or choose a Friday, most construction work stop at lunchtime, if we are talking Europe.
Also, if you have celiac disease, Severe allergy to gluten, let the waiter know at the onset, so the restaurant can meet your needs, and you can enjoy a delicious meal!
@@GregorBrown Only one and a half days. I'm coming back from a trip to Tunisia but decided to make a quick stop in Napoli on my way back home to Germany.
Love this video. It's so laid back it's hard for us Americans to understand. In the States if you hang out a long time at a restaurant they think you're 'camping out' and look down on it. In Italy it's your table - do what you want. Order everything or don't - it didn't seem like they cared. I found it very relaxing and enjoyable.
I'm Italian, I want to compliment you on the accuracy and precision of the information in this video. 100% approved!!!!! I think that bill was a little bit expensive (e.g. 6 euros for spinach is a rip-off) , but you were in a touristic place, so the bill was proportionate and not excessive.
@@tiziostanco ciao, scusa se ti correggo ma “it’s a steal” in inglese si traduce come “è un affare”, quindi il contrario di quello che volevi dire. “It’s a rip-off” invece può essere usato per dire “è un furto”.
@@thommylee81 usa una doppia negazione, credo intenda che NON lo fanno arrabbiare. Ci sta, purtroppo non tutti gli Italiani conoscono benissimo l'inglese
Da italiano, grazie! Grazie per il servizio in generale, ma soprattutto per aver una volta per tutte smontato "l' invenzione cinematografica" della pasta Alfredo o di falsità simili. Ed è molto apprezzabile da te come americano per averlo spiegato ai tuoi conterranei e.. a noi italiani stessi.
Im from Florence and i wish every foreign person was so knowledgeable about italian cousine because we are so stupid that instead of doing our things we somehow started to give tourists what they wanted and think italian food is, ending up having alot of "tourists traps" and places serving horrible food. your video should be mandatory view for everyone.One thing to mention is to not be shy and ask locals we are usually proud and happy to send people in places you will most likley not find on the internet that do dishes you will never eat elsewhere
Esatto...ho visto un sacco di americani mangiare della pasta per dei prezzi improponibili,i turisti prima di andare in Italia dovrebbero guardare un video del genere!!!
My husband & I will be visiting in January and can’t wait. We really try to bypass touristy areas. Hoping to see/experience mostly local, out of the normal tourist areas for food 🤞🏻🤞🏻.
All pretty accurate 👏 I can tell you've been long enough in Italy to understand, appreciate and embrace our culture! Only one thing though. We never say senza gas, but acqua liscia instead.
Hi Gregor, just recently found your channel and I'm loving it! You are so right about the eating culture in Italy, the first time I took my family to Italy was to Rome. I elected to stay in an old family run hotel in the Monti area.when we arrived the manager said that our rooms are not quite ready yet and to go and see his friend across the narrow street for some lunch and he would come get us! My lord, I have never spent such a pleasurable couple of hours having lunch in my life. The owner and his wife made us all so welcome and the food & wine was to die for. We ended up eating there most evenings during our trip, the restaurant wasn't fancy, was quite small but oh my the food and wine was superb! Worth the air fare from Scotland just to experience it again! Love the channel! Ciao!👍👏👏👏♥️🏴🇮🇹
What a great story! Thank you for sharing. Indeed, Rome is a fantastic place to visit. The locals are authentically Italian, and as you said, it was well worth the trip.
Hi Gregor, I was amazed at how you managed to learn our culture when it comes to food. You surprised me when you said that here in every province there is a local dish. Excellent
So even in Italy it’s a foreigner cooking our foods. Love that a Pilipino is cooking in this restaurant ❤and $49 for just one meal is pricy.. But, still can’t wait to try it all 😊
This video was filmed in April 2023 in Florence. Today the conversion rate is 1.10 That meal was $54.45 USD. WIthout tip. You couldn't get that meal in any similar restaurant in a comparable city in the USA for less than $80. The coffee alone would be at least $4. And don't forget you need to tip.
@@CB-jq3rybut for a trattoria in Italy that price is indeed high. Trattoria and osteria, are places where you eat very good but not 'fancy' food, normally traditional, local food. It usually is cheaper than a restaurant.
Yes, you are perfectly correct, we live and eat in a much and totally different way than in the USA. Mainly the attitude and the approach to live is very different.
Interesting and informative videos. Though Gregor. You might want to get on Duolingo and do a simple Italian diction study. Your accent on Italian phrases is very American. But lots of great info. I haven't been to Italy yet sadly but plan to go. I'm an musicologist/opera coach so I have studied Italian language for years. My birthday is always around Carnevale so want to do that in Venezia. I have friends in Roma, Milano. So probably next year. It is indeed so important to learn customs, etiquette . One of my close friends is an opera singer in Rome and she said she thought it was appalling seeing Americans showing up for the opera in flip flops and t shirts instead of formal wear. One can still be comfortable with silk shirt and slacks in the hot months. I'm glad to hear Italy is getting more progressive with vegano (vegan) or vegetariano (vegetarian items) on menus. Though I love Italian food, all that cheese/dairy and meat can be so heavy. Great tips on credit cards. Exactly what you mentioned happened to a friend when she was in San Remo, she forgot to take her credit card at a ristorante and either it was stolen or lost. Luckily she was able to stop that card and had another credit card back at her hotel. Eating late though is so different to me as I never like to do that .. I then feel heavy or can't sleep. But my Mom's family is Galician and sometimes like the Italians, the Spanish eat dinner usually around 8 or even 9 pm. So what a lot of my American friends who are like me do in Italy is eat a big lunch, and then just some wine and antipasti, in the evening and then a gelato or caffè. Off the topic there is some great AI software online. I use yourteacher.ai. I can have Italian or English conversations and learn so much about any city, customs etc. For example I was asking about Italian book stores, and said something about mystery/suspense books and the teacher said "libri gialli" (yellow books).. I was able to ask to learn that in the 1930s-50s all suspense books had yellow book jackets. Or I was asking for a hazelnut gelato and they use the term Baccio (kiss) in Rome because it is also a hazelnut candy. Little things like this are so interesting and can help you learn local spots and trends. Or even correct spellings and pronunciations. Also learning about the scams are safety is important. Esp as LGBT traveler. So I know where to go in Rome etc or what to avoid. Thanks so much Gregor I'm learning a lot before travels next year.
I'm from Tuscany. Not only it's pretty much everything correct, but you've also questioned the fact that a "digestivo" at the end of the meal doesn't help digestion at all: the same rant I make every time, even when I do have one 😄
I have lived all over the world . Dining in Italy is my favorite - it all good and you can find a place to eat at 11 pm that's good and charming. 1001 Gelato in Rome is a place to experience - all of Rome is wonderful.
Awesome videos and tips, thanks! You deserve at least 10x the amount of subscribers, but they will come soon with this level of quality. Found you from the coffee video and stayed for the Italian culture!
The channel is growing and we are getting there and I appreciate your positive support so thank you and thank you for sticking around for future content
@@GregorBrown San Diego, CA. I want to take my wife to Venice, Milan and Lake Como next October for a total of 10 days. Enough to get a feel for those areas?
Thank you! I truly hope you get to visit and enjoy the incredible dining experiences Italy has to offer. It's a journey back to your roots that's worth taking. 🇮🇹
The best carbonara I ever had was in Rome that a friend made at their house. Fresh eggs delivered that morning, Panchetta, the other goodies Simple and one of the most perfect meals ever. Italians know their food ❤❤
Bravo anzi bravissimo a grandi linee hai descritto una parte importante del nostro stile di vita e spero che i tuoi connazionali capiscano che buona parte del made in Italy negli USA è fasullo 😅😅😅
It's not entirely true that we don't tip. We tip when the experience at the restaurant has been excellent and the food really delicious. But never as an X percent of the bill.
@@GregorBrown It was 5€ at a Portuguese restaurant close to where I live in Belgium. It wasn't for the food (not bad anyway), but for the kindness and friendliness of the staff (less than a month ago).
@@GregorBrown If it's a larger group and we are paying cash (not s frequent anymore) it's commonplace to round up the total to the upper 5 or 10 euro. So, you are out with 3 friends, the total bill is 96.35 euro, and you just pay 25 euro each rounding the bill up to 100 euro.
Se pensi a quanto cibo italiano puoi mangiare, antipasto, primo,secondo, contorno, dolce e caffè,,ma le persone non sono super grasse , .Gregor i tuoi video sono super informativi 👏👏 sei meraviglioso ❤ grazie
Prefer restaurants with small menu, ask for the daily menu (menu del giorno), try to find trattorie not too much close the touristic path. Prefer regional plates. Don’t ask for a cappuccino at lunch or fettuccine Alfredo or spaghetti bolognese. No tips needed but you pay for the place at the table, usually cheap. Bravo! Nice video.❤
Americans always complain that their pace of life is high and that in Italy we go slower and then they eat at 6 pm. well in Italy at 6 pm we are still working from 8 in the morning so it is a bit difficult for us to have dinner at that time
If you desire a full metal...you can choose a touristic menu which is all inclusive of the main courses....usually it will be around 30-35 euros....but I suggest to choose each dish one by one
What about the very American "To Go" box aka Doggy Bag? I hear in France that is a very faux pas sort of thing. What about in Italy? Another great informative video. Grazie!
It's not done where you ask for a box to take home your left overs. The plates they serve are not so big where you'd have so much that you couldn't eat. To Go? Some place do UberEats or Takeaway, but you'd need to ask in advance or find them on an App.
In Italy's it's not usually done. There are two issues on the route to doggie bags. In first place, most Italian food is supposed to be eaten piping hot, and many dishes really lose flavor and texture if they cool down (that's particularly true for pasta). Secondly, it's consider a bit of an insult to the kitchen to leave some food. Our menu is split in a number of smaller courses properly because you can mix and match and order exactòy as much as you want to eat, not more than that. If you are not very hungry, as Gregor explained, it's perfectly fine to order an antipasto and a contorno, or just a primo and a glass of wine. Leaving food on the plate is generally speaking seen as wasteful (what has been on your personal plate must be thrown away even if you haven't eaten it for hygiene), and not eating one course in full is a way to tell the kitchen "Your food is subpar". So, if you ever leave some food, I suggest also telling the waiter something along the line of "I am sorry, the food was really delicious, but I am not feeling too well" or "but I just oredered too much by mistake", so that the kitchen doesn't get insulted. Now, combine all of these factors and you will see why doggie bags are nor really an Italian thing.
No problem! And thank you for your support on the channel. It means a lot that i'm able to reach out and help people and know that they're happy as well.
For the ice in beverages it depends on the type of beverage, wine usually is absolutely without ice and people will look at you strange if you ask for it. Coca cola and similar fizzy drinks on the other hand it idffers from place to place and depends on what type of drink they have. If it is the usual aluminum tin then sometimes they dont bring you ice and lemon while if you ask for “coca cola alla spina” which is usually from those big barrels like beer is they almost all the times they bring you it with ice and lemon
Every country that I have visited the pace is so much slower and eating is enjoyable not fast pace and hurry hurry....lifestyle is so much slower ...taking time to smell the roses so to speak...Wonderful video..
I have no idea what your budget is.And how much you are willing to spend?Because there are difference points for travelers. These gives details and I can try to help.But it's a very answered depending on one's budget and how they like to travel
At the restourant of my husband 's job, he have the " whorker menu" is a normal menu but there are only two courses, antipasto e pasta, or carne e contorno + frutta. It's less expensive than normal menu.
Well it's simply logic. If you're in 4 just splitting in 2 it isn't that time consuming. He's referring to things he heard without knowing that might be a problem when there's 10 people trying pay each one a single dish. It's just time consuming, that's it.
We're planning a family trip to Italy next summer (teen daughter, wife and I) and I enjoy your videos. I am slowly learning Italian and getting accustomed to how things work there. I cannot wait to try the food over there, and I especially am looking forward to trying the traditional dishes made in the Campobasso province, where my nonno was born in Larino. That's going to be one of our stops during the trip. We have pretty good Italian restaurants here in Montreal, my favourite is La Belle Italiana on Jean-Talon in St-Léonard. Who knows, maybe we'll bump into you while we're there! Bonjour! Hi! Ciao! from Montréal, QC!
What an incredible journey you have planned! Visiting your nonno’s birthplace after all these years is going to be such a special and emotional experience. I love how you're immersing yourself in the language and culture - even the spaghetti rolling technique! Wishing you and your family an amazing trip filled with memorable moments. Hi! from Italy! 🇮🇹😊
@@GregorBrown thanks! My late dad showed me how to roll spaghetti when I was a small child (he learned it from his papà, my nonno), and I showed both my girls how to do it when they were old enough to handle a fork by themselves. My wife used to cut hers until I told her we can't go to Italy unless she learns how to roll her spaghetti on her fork! :P Now we all roll our spaghetti with our forks, no spoon necessary. ;) My nonno was born in Larino in 1915 and emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1919. The only time he went back was with the Canadian Forces as a motor pool sargent in WWII, but I doubt he had any time to go visit his native comune (he never told me any war stories, he passed when I was 11 in 1983). If that is the case, I'll be the first member of my family to set foot there in over 100 years, so it'll be doubly emotional. Ciao!
@@gmnewlook If you go to Larino I suggest for you to go to Termoli too. Is a close sea town where the Molisani usually go on vacation. It's worth spending a day there and eat the seafood. I was born in Molise and Termoli is one of my hometowns.
thanks!! I appreciate the feedback. It's work but it's great to see comments like this and to present some useful information to my community. I eat out often, yes!
That's very not Italian, to be honest. But I suggest you try something next time, the risintin. THis is mostly done here in the north. Once you had your espresso, you ask for a very small shot of grappa to rinse (resentà in milanese dialect) the cup with.
Mixed drinks are popular in Italy, but in bars, not in restaurants. You drink them with some fingerfood before the real dinner (aperitivo) or you can get more substantial food if you don't dinner later (apericena)
That was getting used to when we visited Italy and Greece a month ago. Only one restaurant bought ice to our table and I don't think anyone ordered a soda, he just did because he knows Americans like ice.
Antipasto, primo (carbs), the second course protein comes with a side. Dolce - fruit. The pieces of bread with antipasto and/or a piece or two for the primo to clean sugo from plate. Bread not to eat on its own.
I never understood what the difficulty was with ice in different countries. In Brazil, it's like pulling teeth. It just frozen water, like where you freeze your food so there's no lack of ice.
As an italian i agree with you with everything you said, bravo, but i will also mention that you have to be very selective when choosing a restaurant in the center of big cities. Anyway It seems you have choose well for the video!
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@@GregorBrown you know that you can ask If somebody speaks english to order, in italy they teach how to talk and write in english in every school
You can find those dishes in italy there are different type of restourant
As an Italian I confirm that the information he provides is 100% legit.
@@HDSpuerstar ah tu mangi la carne così, senza niente. Bella asciutta. Complimenti.
@@HDSpuerstar onestamente io e te siamo gli unici che non la mangiamo con contorno, semplicemente assapori di più la carne se non hai niente insieme, però la tradizione è di mettercelo il contorno, tutti apparte noi ce lo mettono
@@HDSpuerstar ho sempre preso il contorno con la carne
I am from Florence and i was stunned by your knowledge of our costumes and uses. Very well explained all the dishes and our way of "eating" without falling in the same old cliché. I can recognize a man who pays the fair deserved respect to the place he visits. Great job Gregor
So nice of you, thank you for the compliments
@enricoaldobrandi2 Watching the video I thought th same thing! Bravo!!
@@enricoaldobrandi2 più che altro gli anglosassoni portano nel dna 🧬 un gene modificato che gli impedisce di mangiare decentemente e di organizzare un pensiero storico gastronomico che non sia dell’orrore
Hey my friend. I’m watching your videos every night. I’m going to be in Italy in September for 3 weeks. Im super nervous…Have a whole world of things booked already. Dig your Persol’s BTW…Anyhow, I’m a picky eater, no fish or red meat and pork…just chicken and turkey. If they don’t have it there, then that’s fine, but how do I ask for sauces on pasta without meat? Is there any chicken dishes? I’ll be in Florence, so I’ll keep n eye out for you. I’m coming from Venice, California and will also be going to Venice when I’m there. I’m Ron.
There are definitely some chicken (more often) and turkey courses, maybe not as many as pork and beef, but You will find something. Otherwise more or less everywhere You can rely on vegetarian options (vegan ones do exist, but are quite rare). And restaurants are used to foreign guests, thus simply tell what You cannot or do not want to eat, and they will advise You of what fits Your needs. Same for gluten free issues.
Probably one of the only foreign channels that really understands our culture and dishes.❤
Bravo!
Thank you! 😃
I think it is really important that you point out "No stress!". Expect eating at a restaurant to take time. Also, the waiters will not hang over your shoulder. They will often leave you and your company alone, until you notice them. It is NOT bad service, it is respect for your privacy when you are eating. They expect/want you to have a slow and nice time at their place. They don´t ask you questions all the time, because you are enjoying a meal. Btw, it is the same in Austria/Vienna.
"I think it is really important that you point out "No stress!""
Yeah, I feel no stress at all eating next to a construction yard.
@@JimCarner777 in what way is that the restaurants fault? *curious*
@@jokervienna6433 Obviously it isn't the restaurant's fault. I didn't say it was.
But given the choice of eating in a restaurant next to a construction yard and eating in one not next to a construction yard I'd pick the latter, because 'no stress'.
@@JimCarner777 well, that is kind of obvious, right? I´ll do the same. Or go the restaurant towards the evening, then the construction workers are gone. Or choose a Friday, most construction work stop at lunchtime, if we are talking Europe.
Also, if you have celiac disease, Severe allergy to gluten, let the waiter know at the onset, so the restaurant can meet your needs, and you can enjoy a delicious meal!
Just arrived in Napoli today. The pizza here is out of this world.
YES!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how many days there?
@@GregorBrown Only one and a half days. I'm coming back from a trip to Tunisia but decided to make a quick stop in Napoli on my way back home to Germany.
I need to return there, what a great place for eating.
They created pizza so Is obviosly good
A friend of mine who's been to Naples told me that it's an absolute dump and to give it a swerve.
Love this video. It's so laid back it's hard for us Americans to understand. In the States if you hang out a long time at a restaurant they think you're 'camping out' and look down on it. In Italy it's your table - do what you want. Order everything or don't - it didn't seem like they cared. I found it very relaxing and enjoyable.
I'm Italian, I want to compliment you on the accuracy and precision of the information in this video. 100% approved!!!!!
I think that bill was a little bit expensive (e.g. 6 euros for spinach is a rip-off) , but you were in a touristic place, so the bill was proportionate and not excessive.
Thanks so much 🙏 💓 ☺️
@@tiziostanco ciao, scusa se ti correggo ma “it’s a steal” in inglese si traduce come “è un affare”, quindi il contrario di quello che volevi dire.
“It’s a rip-off” invece può essere usato per dire “è un furto”.
@@banannanas grazie! Ho corretto!
I'm a native Italian and not only don't your videos make me upset but they are pretty accurate. Keep up the good work.
Glad you like them!
@@Europio88 non ho capito perché dovrebbero turbarti?
@@thommylee81 usa una doppia negazione, credo intenda che NON lo fanno arrabbiare. Ci sta, purtroppo non tutti gli Italiani conoscono benissimo l'inglese
Bravo. Io sono Italiano e ho un ristorante Italiano in Thailandia, e vorrei che molti miei clienti americani vedessero questo tuo video... 😉
Thanks. Dove sei in Thailandia?
@@GregorBrown A Chiang Mai, nel nord.
Complimenti, quelli come te sono i veri ambasciatori dell'Italia nel mondo!
Io sono toscano e devo dire che hai descritto perfettamente le abitudini degli italiani
Grazie Amiho!!
@@GregorBrown ahahahah wtf
@@GregorBrown ahahahahahah plz dont tell around we steal the C from our words we get joked enough about within italian borders
Perché ama la Toscana ❤ e tutta l'Italia 🎉🎉
Da italiano, grazie! Grazie per il servizio in generale, ma soprattutto per aver una volta per tutte smontato "l' invenzione cinematografica" della pasta Alfredo o di falsità simili. Ed è molto apprezzabile da te come americano per averlo spiegato ai tuoi conterranei e.. a noi italiani stessi.
Im from Florence and i wish every foreign person was so knowledgeable about italian cousine because we are so stupid that instead of doing our things we somehow started to give tourists what they wanted and think italian food is, ending up having alot of "tourists traps" and places serving horrible food. your video should be mandatory view for everyone.One thing to mention is to not be shy and ask locals we are usually proud and happy to send people in places you will most likley not find on the internet that do dishes you will never eat elsewhere
Esatto...ho visto un sacco di americani mangiare della pasta per dei prezzi improponibili,i turisti prima di andare in Italia dovrebbero guardare un video del genere!!!
My husband & I will be visiting in January and can’t wait. We really try to bypass touristy areas. Hoping to see/experience mostly local, out of the normal tourist areas for food 🤞🏻🤞🏻.
Standing ovation proprio mi hai letto nel pensiero e nel pensiero di mio marito che fa il cuoco ❤
We don't put much ice in our beverage cause most of us was taught by our mamas that too cold liquids are not good for the stomach 😂
@@filippobardazzi2080 And also makes the drink annacquato.
@filippobardazzi2080 aha ha ha, thanks I'd forgotten about that!! I miss my mamma!
E non farsi mai il bagno dopo mangiato😂
Going to italy in a month for two weeks! Thanks for the tips! I love your chill relaxed vibe! Best way to travel!
Thanks for the positive vibes and sharing them here! 😎👍
All pretty accurate 👏
I can tell you've been long enough in Italy to understand, appreciate and embrace our culture!
Only one thing though. We never say senza gas, but acqua liscia instead.
@@domenicodeiana9812 io da italiano lo dico ogni tanto anche se in realtà dico acqua naturale.
Hi Gregor, just recently found your channel and I'm loving it!
You are so right about the eating culture in Italy, the first time I took my family to Italy was to Rome. I elected to stay in an old family run hotel in the Monti area.when we arrived the manager said that our rooms are not quite ready yet and to go and see his friend across the narrow street for some lunch and he would come get us!
My lord, I have never spent such a pleasurable couple of hours having lunch in my life. The owner and his wife made us all so welcome and the food & wine was to die for.
We ended up eating there most evenings during our trip, the restaurant wasn't fancy, was quite small but oh my the food and wine was superb! Worth the air fare from Scotland just to experience it again! Love the channel! Ciao!👍👏👏👏♥️🏴🇮🇹
What a great story! Thank you for sharing. Indeed, Rome is a fantastic place to visit. The locals are authentically Italian, and as you said, it was well worth the trip.
Thanks for spreading the love here on the channel!
Hi Gregor, I was amazed at how you managed to learn our culture when it comes to food. You surprised me when you said that here in every province there is a local dish. Excellent
Sei molto bravo in italiano! Complimenti
I love it!! Just get to Italy and FEAST!!!!
One simple rule: FEAST!
I’m a super fan of your videos! Very well done and informative! Bravissimo 👏👏
Thank you for the support and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos
So even in Italy it’s a foreigner cooking our foods. Love that a Pilipino is cooking in this restaurant ❤and $49 for just one meal is pricy.. But, still can’t wait to try it all 😊
Yeah. And super nice chef 🙏
This video was filmed in April 2023 in Florence. Today the conversion rate is 1.10 That meal was $54.45 USD. WIthout tip. You couldn't get that meal in any similar restaurant in a comparable city in the USA for less than $80. The coffee alone would be at least $4. And don't forget you need to tip.
@@CB-jq3rybut for a trattoria in Italy that price is indeed high. Trattoria and osteria, are places where you eat very good but not 'fancy' food, normally traditional, local food. It usually is cheaper than a restaurant.
Yes, you are perfectly correct, we live and eat in a much and totally different way than in the USA. Mainly the attitude and the approach to live is very different.
You deserve honorary Italian citizenship, as an Italian I take my hat off to you!
We don't eat, we enjoy food. And you got it 100%, well well and well done. What Gregor said mirrors the real italian food culture
I should have watched your videos before my trip to Italy. Very useful! Thx
Very informative. Going to Rome This December, this very helpful. Gratzie mille!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the great video, I would love to go there. I'm Italian ❤. 😇👌👍🫶🙏
You are welcome 😊
thnk u for one of the finest videos-very concise-great information !
My pleasure!
Great video! Right on!
Glad you enjoyed it
Interesting and informative videos. Though Gregor. You might want to get on Duolingo and do a simple Italian diction study. Your accent on Italian phrases is very American. But lots of great info. I haven't been to Italy yet sadly but plan to go. I'm an musicologist/opera coach so I have studied Italian language for years. My birthday is always around Carnevale so want to do that in Venezia. I have friends in Roma, Milano. So probably next year. It is indeed so important to learn customs, etiquette . One of my close friends is an opera singer in Rome and she said she thought it was appalling seeing Americans showing up for the opera in flip flops and t shirts instead of formal wear. One can still be comfortable with silk shirt and slacks in the hot months. I'm glad to hear Italy is getting more progressive with vegano (vegan) or vegetariano (vegetarian items) on menus. Though I love Italian food, all that cheese/dairy and meat
can be so heavy. Great tips on credit cards. Exactly what you mentioned happened to a friend when she was in San Remo, she forgot to take her credit card at a ristorante and either it was stolen or lost. Luckily she was able to stop that card and had another credit card back at her hotel. Eating late though is so different to me as I never like to do that .. I then feel heavy or can't sleep. But my Mom's family is Galician and sometimes like the Italians, the Spanish eat dinner usually around 8 or even 9 pm. So what a lot of my American friends who are like me do in Italy is eat a big lunch, and then just some wine and antipasti, in the evening and then a gelato or caffè. Off the topic there is some great AI software online. I use yourteacher.ai. I can have Italian or English conversations and learn so much about any city, customs etc. For example I was asking about Italian book stores, and said something about mystery/suspense books and the teacher said "libri gialli" (yellow books).. I was able to ask to learn that in the 1930s-50s all suspense books had yellow book jackets. Or I was asking for a hazelnut gelato and they use the term Baccio (kiss) in Rome because it is also a hazelnut candy. Little things like this are so interesting and can help you learn local spots and trends. Or even correct spellings and pronunciations. Also learning about the scams are safety is important. Esp as LGBT traveler. So I know where to go in Rome etc or what to avoid. Thanks so much Gregor I'm learning a lot before travels next year.
I'm from Tuscany. Not only it's pretty much everything correct, but you've also questioned the fact that a "digestivo" at the end of the meal doesn't help digestion at all: the same rant I make every time, even when I do have one 😄
Gregor, every day is a school day, thanks for the education. Fantastic!
Thank you and I'm glad the videos helped you learned a few things
I have lived all over the world . Dining in Italy is my favorite - it all good and you can find a place to eat at 11 pm that's good and charming.
1001 Gelato in Rome is a place to experience - all of Rome is wonderful.
Well said!
Awesome videos and tips, thanks! You deserve at least 10x the amount of subscribers, but they will come soon with this level of quality. Found you from the coffee video and stayed for the Italian culture!
The channel is growing and we are getting there and I appreciate your positive support so thank you and thank you for sticking around for future content
BTW, I had already seen your channel because I watched your review of the Femobook.
Super informative gent who needs to make more Italian vids. You can learn a lot in a short time watching his videos!
Glad you think so! Thanks for the positive vibes. Where are you watching from?
@@GregorBrown San Diego, CA. I want to take my wife to Venice, Milan and Lake Como next October for a total of 10 days. Enough to get a feel for those areas?
yes, that's enough time. You might be able to fit in Verona too
@@GregorBrown Thank you!
the dessert looked soooo good!
oh, it was!
Great video my friend. Would love to visit my homeland someday and dine like you have in this video. Thanks my friend.
Thank you! I truly hope you get to visit and enjoy the incredible dining experiences Italy has to offer. It's a journey back to your roots that's worth taking. 🇮🇹
Good job again, thank you
Thank you too!
Kudos to you! it is clear you took your time to educate yourself properly, as an italian I can say this guy is 100% accurate in his explanations
Italian food is very delicious..!!
It really is!
Italian here. Great video. Nice job ❤
Awesome! Thank you!
I'm from Tuscany: Approved! Also, nice pair of Persol! You're one of us
And even Lionfield Approved most likely!!
Love that the line cooks are FILIPINOS :) at 7:58
So good too!
The best carbonara I ever had was in Rome that a friend made at their house. Fresh eggs delivered that morning, Panchetta, the other goodies
Simple and one of the most perfect meals ever. Italians know their food ❤❤
la carbonara si fa col guanciale, non con la pancetta. Ciao.
Bravo anzi bravissimo a grandi linee hai descritto una parte importante del nostro stile di vita e spero che i tuoi connazionali capiscano che buona parte del made in Italy negli USA è fasullo 😅😅😅
I can't wait to get back to Italy for the food and the sights! Yeah I way over tip!
don't tip at all, that's best. Get back over here!
It's not entirely true that we don't tip. We tip when the experience at the restaurant has been excellent and the food really delicious. But never as an X percent of the bill.
Thank you for the input, but may I ask? When was the last time you tipped and how much was it?
@@GregorBrown It was 5€ at a Portuguese restaurant close to where I live in Belgium. It wasn't for the food (not bad anyway), but for the kindness and friendliness of the staff (less than a month ago).
That's not the case for Italy but thanks for sharing 😊
@@GregorBrown If it's a larger group and we are paying cash (not s frequent anymore) it's commonplace to round up the total to the upper 5 or 10 euro. So, you are out with 3 friends, the total bill is 96.35 euro, and you just pay 25 euro each rounding the bill up to 100 euro.
excellent understanding of Italian, in the restaurant you amazed me
Thanks so much.
Se pensi a quanto cibo italiano puoi mangiare, antipasto, primo,secondo, contorno, dolce e caffè,,ma le persone non sono super grasse , .Gregor i tuoi video sono super informativi 👏👏 sei meraviglioso ❤ grazie
Prefer restaurants with small menu, ask for the daily menu (menu del giorno), try to find trattorie not too much close the touristic path. Prefer regional plates. Don’t ask for a cappuccino at lunch or fettuccine Alfredo or spaghetti bolognese. No tips needed but you pay for the place at the table, usually cheap. Bravo! Nice video.❤
Americans always complain that their pace of life is high and that in Italy we go slower and then they eat at 6 pm. well in Italy at 6 pm we are still working from 8 in the morning so it is a bit difficult for us to have dinner at that time
If you desire a full metal...you can choose a touristic menu which is all inclusive of the main courses....usually it will be around 30-35 euros....but I suggest to choose each dish one by one
Traveling somewhere and staying for long is good but visiting back to back or multiple time isn't also bad what is best
What about the very American "To Go" box aka Doggy Bag? I hear in France that is a very faux pas sort of thing. What about in Italy? Another great informative video. Grazie!
It's not done where you ask for a box to take home your left overs. The plates they serve are not so big where you'd have so much that you couldn't eat. To Go? Some place do UberEats or Takeaway, but you'd need to ask in advance or find them on an App.
takeaway as opposed to taking it to go.......amazing
Yeah you can ask for. Generally they don’t do it, but if you ask for a box for the leftover they bring you a box.
In Italy's it's not usually done. There are two issues on the route to doggie bags. In first place, most Italian food is supposed to be eaten piping hot, and many dishes really lose flavor and texture if they cool down (that's particularly true for pasta). Secondly, it's consider a bit of an insult to the kitchen to leave some food. Our menu is split in a number of smaller courses properly because you can mix and match and order exactòy as much as you want to eat, not more than that. If you are not very hungry, as Gregor explained, it's perfectly fine to order an antipasto and a contorno, or just a primo and a glass of wine. Leaving food on the plate is generally speaking seen as wasteful (what has been on your personal plate must be thrown away even if you haven't eaten it for hygiene), and not eating one course in full is a way to tell the kitchen "Your food is subpar". So, if you ever leave some food, I suggest also telling the waiter something along the line of "I am sorry, the food was really delicious, but I am not feeling too well" or "but I just oredered too much by mistake", so that the kitchen doesn't get insulted. Now, combine all of these factors and you will see why doggie bags are nor really an Italian thing.
Thanks!
No problem! And thank you for your support on the channel. It means a lot that i'm able to reach out and help people and know that they're happy as well.
For the ice in beverages it depends on the type of beverage, wine usually is absolutely without ice and people will look at you strange if you ask for it. Coca cola and similar fizzy drinks on the other hand it idffers from place to place and depends on what type of drink they have. If it is the usual aluminum tin then sometimes they dont bring you ice and lemon while if you ask for “coca cola alla spina” which is usually from those big barrels like beer is they almost all the times they bring you it with ice and lemon
Every country that I have visited the pace is so much slower and eating is enjoyable not fast pace and hurry hurry....lifestyle is so much slower ...taking time to smell the roses so to speak...Wonderful video..
love it bro itlay may fav on earth!
Awesome video - thanks
Glad you liked it!
Can you give advice when traveling in Italy in large and small towns, how much to budget daily for meals
Thank you for the great idea on a future video
@@GregorBrown hoping for a quick estimate, nit waiting for another video
I have no idea what your budget is.And how much you are willing to spend?Because there are difference points for travelers.
These gives details and I can try to help.But it's a very answered depending on one's budget and how they like to travel
Gregor is the Casey N. of Southern Europe !
(I just disccovered him)
He's so good. Thanks
For water with no gas you can simply ask for "Acqua liscia" 🙂
that's a great tip for anyone visiting Italy and preferring still water. Grazie for sharing! 🇮🇹💧
At the restourant of my husband 's job, he have the " whorker menu" is a normal menu but there are only two courses, antipasto e pasta, or carne e contorno + frutta. It's less expensive than normal menu.
At the end of a meal ...the herbs liquors and grappa are digestivo....they help the digestive phase
Was in Italy last year with another couple. Every restaurant allowed us to split the bill. Never an issue or even a mention of it being a problem.
Well it's simply logic.
If you're in 4 just splitting in 2 it isn't that time consuming.
He's referring to things he heard without knowing that might be a problem when there's 10 people trying pay each one a single dish. It's just time consuming, that's it.
We're planning a family trip to Italy next summer (teen daughter, wife and I) and I enjoy your videos. I am slowly learning Italian and getting accustomed to how things work there. I cannot wait to try the food over there, and I especially am looking forward to trying the traditional dishes made in the Campobasso province, where my nonno was born in Larino. That's going to be one of our stops during the trip. We have pretty good Italian restaurants here in Montreal, my favourite is La Belle Italiana on Jean-Talon in St-Léonard. Who knows, maybe we'll bump into you while we're there! Bonjour! Hi! Ciao! from Montréal, QC!
What an incredible journey you have planned! Visiting your nonno’s birthplace after all these years is going to be such a special and emotional experience. I love how you're immersing yourself in the language and culture - even the spaghetti rolling technique! Wishing you and your family an amazing trip filled with memorable moments. Hi! from Italy! 🇮🇹😊
@@GregorBrown thanks! My late dad showed me how to roll spaghetti when I was a small child (he learned it from his papà, my nonno), and I showed both my girls how to do it when they were old enough to handle a fork by themselves. My wife used to cut hers until I told her we can't go to Italy unless she learns how to roll her spaghetti on her fork! :P
Now we all roll our spaghetti with our forks, no spoon necessary. ;)
My nonno was born in Larino in 1915 and emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1919. The only time he went back was with the Canadian Forces as a motor pool sargent in WWII, but I doubt he had any time to go visit his native comune (he never told me any war stories, he passed when I was 11 in 1983). If that is the case, I'll be the first member of my family to set foot there in over 100 years, so it'll be doubly emotional.
Ciao!
@@gmnewlook If you go to Larino I suggest for you to go to Termoli too. Is a close sea town where the Molisani usually go on vacation. It's worth spending a day there and eat the seafood.
I was born in Molise and Termoli is one of my hometowns.
@@Liaros_ Termoli will be our home base for that leg of the trip, there are more accommodations there and it's only a 25-30 minute drive to Larino.
Learned so much. Love your videos..I am traveling to Italy in September for a month. How much money should I bring?
How much money depends on how you spend but I would make sure you have your bank card for ATM money and a credit card
Here in Portugal my wife and often share a large entree, rather than overeating. Is that cool in Italy?
For sure it's ok
This was really great and packed with practical information. Grazie mille!
Glad it was helpful!
Indeed, in Italy we do split the bill very often
Thank you for showing me this video! I have a school trip next year and I am excited to try the food.
You're a world champion eater mate 👍 👏
haha, thanks!
This video made me hungry and wish I was there now. Tons of useful info with fantastic editing. Do you often eat out? Thanks for your hard work!
thanks!! I appreciate the feedback. It's work but it's great to see comments like this and to present some useful information to my community. I eat out often, yes!
Hi Gregor....Try the "corretto" coffee with Baileys and cocoa at the end of the meal....😁👍
That's very not Italian, to be honest. But I suggest you try something next time, the risintin. THis is mostly done here in the north. Once you had your espresso, you ask for a very small shot of grappa to rinse (resentà in milanese dialect) the cup with.
Mixed drinks are popular in Italy, but in bars, not in restaurants. You drink them with some fingerfood before the real dinner (aperitivo) or you can get more substantial food if you don't dinner later (apericena)
I know italian language for one thing: EAT.
Cheers from Italy! 🤣😂 I'm glad you got your fill!
Thanks! 😃
@Entropia404 not eat... mangia, mangia!! It's my family's favourite word!! 🤣
@@pg4662 OTTIMO!
sorry for the audio issues, I didn't plug in my microphone!!!!!!!! ;(
ci sono trattorie veloci o bar che fanno pranzi di lavoro, ma difficilmente li trovi in zona turistica
I really enjoyed this video … great job and thank you
Thank you so much and I appreciate the comment
Hi thanks for the very informative video I would love for you to visit the island of Sardinia now my native island 🙏💖👋
I'll have to go and make a video. I've already been 4 or 5 times 🙌😆
Your Italian is good do you live in Italy, i am visiting Italy in April next year.
Nice , come
Over from
Your cycling videos .
We’re going to Venice in the summer so learning bits from your videos . ❤
Wonderful! Thanks for following on all channels
Binge watching here, keep up the good work, my dream is to visit Tuscany and Emilia Romagna regions, Florence / Modena / Bologna / San Marino etc
You should!
In Taormina Sicily you can have dinner at 6
Sei bravissimo 🎉🎉😊😊
Grande! Tutto vero
100% correct.
Bel video , bravo ! 👏 😊
That was getting used to when we visited Italy and Greece a month ago. Only one restaurant bought ice to our table and I don't think anyone ordered a soda, he just did because he knows Americans like ice.
I like the lifestyle! 😊❤🎉
Yay! Thank you!
Great video. Is it common to share dishes and how would you tell your waiter that you want to share?
yeah, people do. The word for share is
condividere
Antipasto, primo (carbs), the second course protein comes with a side. Dolce - fruit. The pieces of bread with antipasto and/or a piece or two for the primo to clean sugo from plate. Bread not to eat on its own.
I never understood what the difficulty was with ice in different countries. In Brazil, it's like pulling teeth. It just frozen water, like where you freeze your food so there's no lack of ice.
There's no difficulty, just ask for it 🤦
Here for it!! 🎉😊
What about Ice in drinks is it possible to get ice?
Yes it is but there's not as much ice that you would find the United States and so they'll offer you a few cubes
Is it common to get take away containers for items you cannot finish at a meal??
No. Not done in Italy or a lot of Europe.
As an italian i agree with you with everything you said, bravo, but i will also mention that you have to be very selective when choosing a restaurant in the center of big cities. Anyway It seems you have choose well for the video!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Gregor, You about desert preferences, I would love a canolli❤
Hello! Great video ❤ what’s the name of the resto?
In the description? I think so. It's in San Nicolò in Florence
Thanks! Great video!
Glad you liked it!