How to Set a Table for a Traditional Trattoria
A trattoria is an eating establishment that originated in Italy. It is somewhat smaller and more casual than a formal restaurant and a trattoria usually has a smaller menu as well. It is traditionally owned and run by a family and is found on a side street. The decor of a trattoria is relaxed and comfortable, as well as visually appealing. If you wish to have a party and serve Italian food, set your table after the fashion of a traditional trattoria by following a few simple guidelines. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Red-and-white-checked tablecloth
- Wine
- Carafe
- Plates
- Napkins
- Silverware
- Glasses
- Clean towel
- Vases
- Bread sticks
- Candle holder or empty wine bottle
- Candle
- Cheese napkins and plates
Instructions
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Start by spreading a red-and-white checked tablecloth on the table. It can be plastic, but cloth is better. Italians sometimes also use white or pastel greens and pinks. Starched linen is a good choice.
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Set a carafe filled with wine on the table. Have plenty of wine on hand to refill the carafe during the meal. An alternative to a carafe is a large, glass jug wine bottle.
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Put a plate before each guest chair on the table. Fold paper or linen table napkins and lay one beside each plate. Shine the silverware and lay it beside the plates on top of the napkins. Use short tumblers instead of wine glasses; this is traditional in Italy. Wipe each one with a clean towel to remove water spots.
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Place a vase on the table and fill it with long, crisp bread sticks instead of flowers. Have a candle holder and a taper candle lit in it on the table. An empty wine bottle can serve as a candle holder. Use one that is partially wrapped in wicker, such as the traditional Chianti bottle.
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Use smaller, separate napkins and plates for the cheese course. Place them on top of the larger plates. Clear these plates before the next course.
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Tips & Warnings
When preparing your menu, keep in mind that it is traditional in Italy to serve white wine with fish, pasta and veal. Red wine goes with other meats.
Other decorations that would enhance a trattoria atmosphere include artificial grapevines, hanging strings of garlic or dried peppers, a small chalkboard menu board where you can write the evenings's courses and banners of triangles in red, white and green.
Traditional Italian meals often start with cheese or antipasto, followed by a pasta dish. The main entrée, usually meat, is served next. After that is a salad or cooked vegetables, although these can be served with the entrée. Dessert comes next followed by coffee service, while the guests enjoy their dessert. Keep in mind that trattorias often do not serve all these courses and sometimes pizza is the main dish. There are no hard and fast rules for a traditional trattoria meal.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
