What to eat in Tuscany
It is thought that there is an olive tree in Italy that is 3500 years old . The production and use of it goes back even further. Olive oil has been a panacea for thousands of years to all the populations of the Mediterranean. Most of the countryside that is not covered in grapevines is covered in olive trees. Med folk have the lowest cardiac complications of any population due mainly to the consumption of olive oil which is basically used in everything. Forget the calories, the ultimate way to experience a top quality extra virgin olive oil is simply dribbled over some lightly toasted rustic Tuscan bread rubbed with garlic and a little sprinkle of salt. Delishimo!
Dario Cecchini, the famous poet butcher of Panzano , held a public funeral and mourners procession outside his butcher shop for the most famous steak back in 1999 after the EU banned the sale of beef on the bone products due to some mad cows making a nuisance of themselves. Dario has made the news again as the steak is back and he is rejoicing. Best to be really hungry for this one as it's huge, and must be partnered with some patata arrosta and a good red. Dario is also worth paying a visit as he performs poetry to his customers and hands round free samples of his wares.
Most Italians spend a lot longer on eating dinner than they do with their lightning quick breakfast, hence the long menu. A primo piatti is the first course, usually smaller than a main but bigger than an appetiser. The secondo is the main dish and usually comes without vegetables which have to be ordered as a separate 'contorni'. Unless you are really hungry and go for all courses you can mix and match a starter with a primo or secondo, or just have the main and then head straight for dessert.
This is a very common question. There will probably be a cover charge, this is for the table cloth 'covering' the table and cutlery or a 'service' charge for the service provided by the staff, check on the menu or with your waiter if this included or not. If it isn't then the amount will be between 12 and 15% of the total bill. In this case it isn't necessary to tip as the locals are notoriously bad tippers and just pay the service charge. Or, just leave the change if it's a couple of euros and the service has been good.
Paying can be a confusing experience. If you are wanting just a coffee or Panini from a café you have two choices. One- look at what's on offer in the display case, find a table and sit down to wait for the waiter and tell him, at the end just ask him for the 'conto' or the bill. Two- check out the display case, make your way to the 'cassa', pay for your choices and then take the receipt over to the serving counter. It's all about the Italian tax system, but in some ways it makes sense that the food servers are not spending time working out change etc.