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ITALY - FOOD AND DRINK
Italy can be enjoyed sitting down. The locals spend
much of their leisure at pavement cafe gossiping and
watching the world go by. Favourite drinks are
extra-strong cups of espresso, or aperitifs like Campari
soda.
There is infinite choice of cafe locations: in ancient
piazzas, echoing with children at play; in
side-streets, friendly as a village pub; at busy
crossroads, providing ringside seats for the
cut-and-thrust blood sport of Italian driving
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TRAVEL FACTS
Set menu: 2A standard ‘menu
turistico' comprises a
flat-rate 3-course meal, usually with a drink such as
beer or quarter-litre of wine, service and tax. The
price may be reasonable enough, but don't expect any
gastronomic delights.
Most restaurants charge ‘coperto', which is a
cover charge. Then there is service which can add
10-20% on the total bill. Tipping is not necessary on
top, unless for exceptional service. VAT is added. Keep
your restaurant bill, as tax inspectors are making
valiant attempts to keep tabs on the catering trade.
Within 200 metres of a restaurant, inspectors can ask
you to produce your receipt: otherwise, a hefty fine.
For the tourist, it's all rather theoretical.
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Food? Everywhere in Italy, there is good eating
almost anywhere you go. Restaurants offer a Menu
Turistico at fixed all-inclusive prices, and
there are fast-food establishments of every type. But
all the main cities have colourful restaurants by the
dozen. It's worth devoting part of your city break to
the enjoyment of good food in surroundings that are
loaded with atmosphere.
If you go overboard for Italian cuisine with Italian
wine, you can have glorious eating at reasonable
cost, with enormous choice of restaurants. It's much
more fun than eating standard ‘international' hotel
menus. Don't worry if you cannot speak Italian - just
wave and point. But most waiters in holiday locations
have basic English.
Another type of restaurant/cafes called tavola
calda, which serves simple hot dishes at reasonable
price. Customers eat standing up – dishes of spaghetti,
ravioli or whatever the dish of the day happens to be.
It's very handy for a quick lunch, if you don't want a
full sit-down meal spread over a couple of hours.
Italy features three main kinds of restaurant –
osteria, trattoria and ristorante,
in ascending order of quality and price, though
nowadays the distinction is blurring.
If you cannot manage a full meal at lunch-time, there
are plenty of chances for snacks. Many bars have a
selection of sandwiches called tramezzini which
have very appetising fillings.
At a pizzeria, you can fill up with a bowl of thick
minestrone and a huge pizza that overlaps a dinner
plate.
For picnic eating, there is good, cheap fruit –
oranges, cherries, melons, peaches, apricots, grapes,
fresh figs, according to season. Excellent cheeses,
cooked meats and salads help keep outgoings low.
Learn the Italian word etto, which means
hectogramme or 100 grammes, about four ounces. Fish or
steak dishes are frequently priced per etto, not
per portion. Know the system, and save yourself a nasty
shock when the bill comes.
Bar codes
There is something very typically Italian about the
snack bars dominated by a massive espresso machine,
gleaming and polished and steaming. On the shelves
behind are bottles of every conceivable spirit and
liqueur known to European man. These establishments are
also useful as a stopping-point for a quick sandwich.
In the mornings from 7 to 11 a.m. you'll find Italians
having their breakfasts of cappuccinos and
cornettos (croissants). However, if you feel in
need of a brandy, you will not be on your own!
For a stand-up drink, you normally pay first at the
cash desk (cassa). Take the receipt to the bar,
put a small coin on top, and tell the barman what you
want. The tip ensures rapid service. Standing at the
bar is always much cheaper than having drinks and
sandwiches served to a table. You're not supposed to
buck the system by ordering at the bar, and then
sitting down.
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Zuppe e Antipasti
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Soups and Starters
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Gamberetti
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Shrimps
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Melone con fichi
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Melon with figs
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Melone con prosciutto |
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Melon with ham
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Misto or frutti di mare |
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Mixed seafood |
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Panada |
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Broth |
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Zuppa di pesce |
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Fish soup |
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Zuppa di fagioli |
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Bean soup |
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Risotti e Pasta
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Rice and Pasta dishes |
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Asparagi |
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Risotto with asparagus |
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Primavera |
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Risotto with fresh vegetables |
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Nere de seppie
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Risotto with cuttlefish in its ink |
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Bigoli
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Dark coloured pasta |
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Pasta e fagioli
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Pasta with white bean soup |
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Risi e Anguilla |
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Rice and eel |
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Risi e bisi |
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Rice and peas |
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Pesce e Crostacei
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Fish and shellfish
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Anguilla |
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Eel |
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Aringa |
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Herring |
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Baccala |
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Cod |
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Branzino |
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Sea bass |
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Calamari |
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Squid |
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Cozze |
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Mussels |
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Frutta di mare |
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Seafood |
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Gamberelli |
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Prawns |
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Granchi |
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Shrimps |
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Nasello |
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Haddock |
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Ostriche |
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Oysters |
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Pesce spada |
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Swordfish |
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Salmone |
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Salmon |
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Sgombro |
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Mackerel |
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Sogliola |
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Plaice |
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Sogliola Finta |
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Sole |
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Tonno |
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Tuna |
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Triglia |
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Red Mullet |
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Trota |
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Trout |
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Carne
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Meat
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Agnello |
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Lamb |
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Anatra/anitra |
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Duck |
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Bistecca |
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Steak |
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Bistecca de Filetto |
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Fillet steak
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Braciola |
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Cutlet, chop |
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Bue |
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Beef |
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Coniglio |
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Rabbit |
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Coscia |
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Leg |
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Cotoletta/Costata |
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Cutlet/chop |
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Fagiono |
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Pheasant |
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Fegato |
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Liver |
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Maiale |
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Pork |
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Manzo |
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Beef |
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Montone |
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Mutton |
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Pollo |
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Chicken |
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Prosciutto |
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Ham |
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Ragout |
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Stew |
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Rognoni |
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Kidneys |
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Rosbif |
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Roast beef |
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Salsicce |
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Sausage |
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Salsicce alla Griglia |
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Grilled
sausage |
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Selvaggina |
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Venison |
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Tacchino |
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Turkey |
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Tournedo |
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Rump steak |
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Vitello |
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Veal |
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Verdura
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Vegetables
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Aglio
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Garlic
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Barbabietola/Bietola |
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Beetroot |
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Carciofi |
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Artichokes |
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Carroti |
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Carrots |
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Cavolfiore |
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Cauliflower |
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Cetriolo |
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Cucumber |
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Cipolle |
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Onions |
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Fagioli |
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Beans |
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Funghi |
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Mushrooms |
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Insalata |
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Salad |
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Lattuga |
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Lettuce |
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Melanzana |
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Aubergines |
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Patate |
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Potatoes |
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Peperoni |
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Peppers |
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Piselli |
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Peas |
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Pomodoro |
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Tomato |
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Spinaci |
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Spinach |
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Dolci |
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Desserts
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Bussolai |
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Traditional biscuits from Burano |
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Gelato |
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Ice cream |
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Tiramisu |
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Rich dessert soaked in coffee
and liqueur, and covered in cream |
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Zabaglione |
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Dessert made with egg yolks and Marsala |
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Zuppa inglese |
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Trifle |
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Frutta
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Fruit
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Albicocca |
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Apricot |
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Ananas |
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Pineapple |
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Anguria |
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Water melon |
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Arancia |
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Orange |
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Cillege |
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Cherries |
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Fragole |
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Strawberries |
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Frutta fresca |
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Fresh fruit |
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Lamponi |
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Raspberries |
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Mela |
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Apple |
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Pera |
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Pear |
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Pesca |
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Peach |
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Pompelino |
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Grapefruit |
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Prugna |
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Plum |
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Bibite
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Drinks
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Acqua Minerale |
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Mineral water |
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Birra |
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Beer |
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Caffè
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Black coffee |
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Cappuccino |
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White coffee |
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Latte |
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Milk |
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Tè |
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Tea |
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Vino – rosso/bianco
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Wine – red / white |
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Miscellaneous
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Miscellaneous
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Burro |
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Butter |
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Formaggio |
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Cheese |
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Frittata |
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Omelette |
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Gnocchi |
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Dumplings |
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Minestra |
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Soup |
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Pane |
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Bread |
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Salsa |
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Sauce |
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Uova |
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Eggs |
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