- QUESTION: What exactly is a 'Ristorante'? Is it like a 'Restaurant'?
- ANSWER: Yes. 'Ristorante' is the Italian word for 'Restaurant'. Both words are derived from the Latin word 'Restaurare'. And their precise definition and everyday useage in their respective languages should be nearly identical.
- QUESTION: Then what exactly is a 'Trattoria'? How does it differ from a 'Ristorante'?
- ANSWER: A 'Trattoria' is a specific type of 'Ristorante'. However, it is more of a casual, more neighborhood oriented, and less formal place than a regular 'Ristorante'. Also, a 'Trattoria' makes all of its dishes from scratch. It would never have the trucked-in frozen food that a regular 'Ristorante' might have. Thus a 'Trattoria' is similar to a 'Bistro' in France or a 'Cafe' in America.