Antipasti & Spritz

There is no Spritz or Proseco without a little antipasti plate going along, some olives, a little bit of parmesano or other cheeses and a nice salami maybe, all made with proud in the countryside near the places they are sold. Slow food to me … s l o w meaning also sitting down for more than ten minutes but enjoying some small talk with your friends together with good foods and drinks … s l o w meaning also the way they are produced and enjoyed. When we go out with our friends, it is not just ordering the meal but you ask how the pasta is made, where the meat comes from and I have found out that many times it is not written in the menu what we get but Marcello discusses the menu with the waiter so there is no way that I could get the same as a tourist. No food concepts and other stupid ideas about how to consume food … far more pure and honest.

Spritz is the orange colored drink on the left made with Aperol (very similar to Campari) and either white wine or proseco … and it can give headaches, folks, our friends Hartmut and Linda know all the details … LOL … pssst, don’t tell anybody.

Some explanation from Widipedia which I find well explained: [...] Antipasto (plural antipasti), means "before the meal" and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats and vegetables (both in oil or in vinegar). The contents of an antipasto vary a lot according to regional cuisine, so it is quite possible to find in the south of Italy different preparations of saltwater fish and traditional southern cured meats (like in example soppressata - a very dry salami that undergoes a cure while constately kept under weight - or 'nduja - a particular and very hot preparation made from pork fat, meat and chilli peppers-), while in the north it will contain more different kinds of cured meats and mushrooms and probably, especially near lakes, preparations of freshwater fish [...]

There is definitely a different culture about the eating of food in some of the Mediterranean countries than in the UK. Let's face it the UK was never renowned for its food. Whilst nowadays the bad reputation is largely undeserved, there is no big performance about a meal, and certainly not a long time taken over it. That's one of the beauties of travel; you get to experience different ways, different food. I've never tasted spritz.. I don't like the idea of the headache, but I bet that's something to do with the quantity imbibed. ☺
Your choice of framing makes certain we know the subject of the image is the tray and its contents. The people slightly out of focus add the atmosphere of the image, making us all want to be part of it. You captured the spirit of the moment perfectly.
Kath

Hello Barbara, Now that made me hungry. Food photography is a specialty and an art within itself. You did well with the food display. However, spritz is generally for the ladies. Men prefer the harder stuff. As for me I like my wine straight. Ha ha. BTW Italian food is probably my favorite. Having spent 12 years in Austria, Germany and France and maybe a dozen trips to Italia, I know the drill. I think the food I miss more than anything else is the bread. Brotchen, Semel, und so weiter. My German is not so good anymore, but I know how to order the meals. There are some great eating places around the Bodensee. You can get Italian, French, Swiss, German etc However, I have never been fond of the food in Britain. It has improved from the early 50s however. Finally, you mentioned cheese. I can tell you what I believe is the best cheese in the world. P'tit Basque. Petit Basque is also one of the most expensive cheeses here in the USA. I have seen it for over $60 a kilo. Enjoy your food as you have delineated some exceptional combinations. Have a great Sunday. Roger

hello Brabara
I love antipasti, and I never tasted them in another country than Italia.And I love your choice of framing, putting the accent on the plate, with a part of each people cut on the head, The colors are so beautiful that we would like to be inside the picture , to participate at this meal, or feast ,I don't kmow, but to be in the nice atmosphere, ypour decripiion of antipasti make me feel hungry.
Kind regards
Pascale

hi Barbara.

one of the most important things when we speak on country's culture: food. And Italians know how to cook and have definetely good wines to go along. I might be suspect as I'm an enthusiast of almost everything coming from Italy, food, cars, design and so on.... but I really think they are very inventive and in terms of food too.

Your photo shows a bit of a "chaos" some waiters have to face in crowded restaurants or esplanades and it requires a lot of concentration to walk around the tables, fast enough without throwing the content of the tray over costumers.

I like how you focused on the waiter and on the trays content while around the costumers wait for their turn to come.

Cheers.
Paulo

Barbara
The antipasto in Italian restaurants here, is what is most dear and special, usually cheese, salami and imported beverages, which typically costs more than the meal. For people to consume more antipastos, there are a variety of them, which slows the meal .... and give more profit to the owner of the restaurant. I have a cousin who started with a small risoteria in a mall, now 10 years later they risoterias owns four in four major shopping malls, and all always full, especially at night. The big secret is the antipasto and wine.
I really enjoyed your photo and immediately thought of Campari, I do not like, but it's cute to photograph
friendly
Ruy

Hello, Barbara!

Splendid take. The panning is subtle and perfectly managed.
A pleasure to the eyes the colors, the textures, the perfect focus on the waiter and his tray and the testosterone is a bonus ;)
Having a strong italian tradition in restaurants in São Paulo, we know what you mean. Gosh, they know how to eat!
A fave. A great sunday to you, dear!

Hi Barbara,

it's exactly 10:52 and this image made me hungry...and somehow thirsty! :) Very good daily life scene and well explained in the note. We have a huge italian colonization in Brazil so I know what you are talking a bout. It's a panning since the waiter was moving fast and you did a great job, freezing that moment. Lovely intense colors and bright. Well done!
Abraço,
Carlos

Well, I am not hungry like my fellows, maybe because I just can see that red drinks. No, I am not any drunk, but the red you got there is mesmerizing. Very good capture.
Best regards,
Zeca

Hi Barbara
Why is it whenever I comment on your photos I get hungry LOL! You timing was impeccable as usual with the smiling face of the man in the BG right between the glasses of wine.Nicely done.
Phil

Good morning for me still early morning anyway.

I know what it mean slow food. I was there sitting for hours and Rene talk to his family or friends for a long time, and I was bored and I can't just keep eating. Most of the times, they speak the Swiss German and I don’t understand anything.
Many times I told people I’m going to Switzerland and people was so excited for me. I wish I was as excited :) There is a problem and Rene know that that why we always go somewhere else first before we stop to see his family. Because he will be so busy with his family and I would all be alone, I understand, so I bring books to read or music, but you can’t do that at the dinner table. Now at least I can play with the children without speaking.

Anyway back to this photo, you probably calling out to the waiter, “where are you going? Bring them over here!”  Funny in restaurant, somebody else’s food always looks better than your own.

Got to work now :)

Way