QUANTITY of food in Sabatini's

[caviargal]

In case anyone wants to know, "authentic" Italian meals are not meat balls, lasagna and spaghetti. In fact, pasta is never served as the main course. It is usually meat or .... dare I say it pesce' (seafood!) :eek: .

 

"A traditional Italian menu consists of:

1. L’antipasto - hot and cold appetizers;

2. Il primo ("First Course"), usually consists of a hot dish like pasta, risotto, gnocchi, polenta or soup. There are usually abundant vegetarian options;

3. Il secondo ("Second Course"), the main dish, usually fish or meat (Pasta is never the main course in a traditional menu). Traditionally veal is the most commonly used meat, at least in the north, though beef has become more popular since World War II and wild game is very popular, particularly in Tuscany;

4. Il contorno ("Side Dish") may consist of a salad or vegetables. A traditional menu features salad after the main course.

5. Il dolce ("Dessert");

6 Il caffè ("Coffee") (espresso) and liquors/liqueurs (grappa, amaro, limoncello)."

 

As an Italian who has spent a lot of time in Italy, you are correct!

 

I was reminded of my second trip to Italy, travelling with my family when I was 21 and my younger brother was 10. He asked for meatballs in every tratttoria and no one had them of course. We spent a week in Taormina at the end of our trip and went to a local osteria every day of our visit as the food was wonderful. On the last day, a plate full of pasta with a huge meatball (must have weighed 8 ounces) was placed in front of my brother.:). We all laughed and he was happy.

[SingerEsq]

As a child, we lived next door (in Ohio) to a VERY Italian family who remain close friends some 45 years later. They explained to us that pasta became the de riguer in the US b/c it was cheap and filling and immigrants could afford it. Thus, it became the main course for a lot of Italian-Americans. However, they would try new things with the sauce to get some seafood in their diet .... ever heard of tuna fish spaghetti? :eek: You throw large can of white tuna into red sauce ...... it's a cheap replacment for clams or beef. I know it sounds horrible, but tuna has a very rich flavor and I still make it to this day ... much to the disdain of first time dinner companions. But I've never had anyone not finish their meal. It's delcious. Give it a try!

[caviargal]

As a child, we lived next door (in Ohio) to a VERY Italian family who remain close friends some 45 years later. They explained to us that pasta became the de riguer in the US b/c it was cheap and filling and immigrants could afford it. Thus, it became the main course for a lot of Italian-Americans. However, they would try new things with the sauce to get some seafood in their diet .... ever heard of tuna fish spaghetti? :eek: You throw large can of white tuna into red sauce ...... it's a cheap replacment for clams or beef. I know it sounds horrible, but tuna has a very rich flavor and I still make it to this day ... much to the disdain of first time dinner companions. But I've never had anyone not finish their meal. It's delcious. Give it a try!

 

My dad made tuna sauce often on Fridays and I have always loved it and still prepare it today. However, we never just throw in the tuna, but saute it first with onions and garlic in olive oil, as we would any meat or seafood for a tomato based sauce.

[SingerEsq]

Boy, you guys were uptown! ;)

 

I will have to give that a try, it sounds great!

[Paulras]

I wonder if you can ask your waiter to "rush it" a bit in Sabatinis? I love a relaxing meal but after about 90 minutes at a restaurant table, I start to lose interest and patience.

 

Anyone ever get out in less than 2 hours?

[SingerEsq]

Our experience on the Island was about 2 hours, and we sat for ever after dinner (our choice) just enjoying the place, an after dinner drink and coffee. We certainly weren't prisoners. :D

[whale-watcher]

Here are pictures inside Sabatini's....We were on the Sapphire Princess on May 20 - 27 :D

 

Click on View Slideshow

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=18tjuqvp.w8hhfj1&Uy=-t8hpb9&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

wonderful pictures; looks like a great way to spend an evening!

[SingerEsq]

Thanks for sharing the pictures, soymilk. But you're making my mouth water! I loved the gnnochi. I had them bring me several servings! :D

[dchester]

I totally agree with Chris, it accurately describes the experience on two different ships, the Golden and the Caribbean. The service is painfully slow, after getting a spoonful of this, the waiter disappeared until the next spoonful of something was to be delivered. All so we could savour this spoonful for 5 to 10 minutes. No wonder it takes hours.

 

We went hungry based on the comments here, and left hungry as well. Of course YMMV.

 

Cheers,

Peter

I thought you could ask for more of any item. Am I incorrect about this?

[toz]

Amen, Hebejeebe. Italians eat a wide variety of fish and seafood(even if they don't live on one of the coasts).

[toz]

It's also possible to have a cheese/fruit course before the dessert or instead of dessert.

[maria1122]

Why do people ATTACK others on this board. I did not say "well done" on my veal. If you read correctly I wrote "cooked through" There is a big difference. As resturant owners I do know the difference.

[toz]

Maria1122.....Don't fret; some individuals are always in "attack mode". I understood your point regarding the veal. The establishment should have complied with your wishes. Diane

[SingerEsq]

I thought you could ask for more of any item. Am I incorrect about this?

 

I had SEVERAL helpings of gnnochi. My partner created his own version of surf and turf by ordering the lobster entree AND a beef entree. :D