I'm writing a fic in which the characters go out to an Italian restaurant. Anyone have ideas for a nice dinner that doesn't include the usual fare? And a name for the place? Marie? So far, all I wrote about it is that it doesn't have any of the usual names, and it's discreet. Behave yourself, leave a nice tip, and two guys can have a nice dinner in peace. Yes, there's some yaoi going on. Just to make it perfectly clear.

Well ... Italians are proud of their famous dishes and you can find these commonly known treats at almost all the Italian restaurants situated abroad, some abiding with the original recipe and some done with a twist. I'm thinking that the restaurant you're mentioning is obviously not found in Italy but in Utoland or somewhere else! Hence, it's not so wrong to mention something familiar! Beginning from the name ... it's almost a tradition for the Italians to name their restaurant after the owner or the family name, eg. Luigi's, Antonio's, Giorgio's, etc. I think "Giorgio's" wouldn't be the right option for you, UW, as it's supposedly Joe's real name ... unless one of the guys is Joe and there's something going on with the restaurant and his companion! Italians also like to use phrases for a name and other names of famous Italian places, e.g. "La Tana del Leone" (the lion's den), "Portobello" or "Portofino", "Bella Roma" (beautiful Rome), "Romolo e Remo" (Romolus and Remus: the two brothers adopted by a female wolf and founders of Rome), "La Fenice" (the Phoenix!), "La Cascata" (the waterfall), "L'Arcobaleno" (the rainbow), etc. UW, if you wish you could tell me a name which you want to include in English and I'll tell you how it's called in Italian, just for originality. I'm sure you know about the most popular dishes which are widely based on pasta: lasagne al forno (baked lasagne), spaghetti, pizza, etc. But you've asked for some that are not so common but which are delicious the same. Some types of starters can be: Antipasto (an assortment of salami and cold meats, olives, artichoke hearts, melon slices and marinated vegetables); Zuppa di Lenticchie (Lentil Soup); Pasta e Fagioli (Bean and Pasta Soup); Insalata Mista (Mixed Salad); Carpaccio (raw thinly sliced beef marinated in a dressing based on lemon juice); Zuppa di Cozze (Mussel Soup); Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci (Spinach and Ricotta filled ravioli); Tortelloni; Risotto or Pasta alla Marinara (Seafood Rice or Pasta); Pasta Aglio ed Olio (Oil and Garlic Pasta); Suppli (Rice Arancini); Gnocchi di Spinaci (Spinach Gnocchi), etc. For the main course: Osso Buco (Veal Shanks in Tomatoe and Red Wine sauce); Trippa alla Veneziana (Tripe Venetian-Style); Vitello Tonnato (Veal with Tuna and Anchovy Sauce); Pollo al Marsala (Chicken Marsala); Pollo alla Cacciatora (Chicken Cacciatore); Anitra alle Acciughe (Duck with Anchovy Sauce); Vitello Saltimbocca (Parcels of Veal and Prosciutto in Sage Sauce); Involtini alla Salsa di Pomodori (Rolled Beef in Tomatoe Sauce); Coniglio al Vino (Rabbit with Wine Sauce); Agnello Arrostito alla Menta (Minted Roast Lamb); Pesce di San Pietro (St Peter's fish); etc. Dessert: Tiramisu; Panforte di Siena (Siena Cake); Torta Siciliana (Sicilian Trifle Cake with Ricotta); Cannoli; Bigne' alla Crema (Cream filled Puffs); Cassata Siciliana (Sicilian Cheesecake); Zabaglione (like egg-nog); Gelato al Limone (Lemon Gelato); etc. Well ... there's a myriad of dishes left! If you wish more just ask UW! Hope I've been of some help!

Thanks. The restaurant is in Ameris, and the story here is about a rather nice chap who joins the International Insitute of Science and Technology (aka Galactor Institute...). No appearances by the Science Ninja Team. However, it does end with Katse catching a bullet. Some of those dishes sound tasty.

This sounds rather interesting ... I can't wait to see with what you'll come out, UW!

Ahh, you're making me very hungry, gatchamarie, reading your post... There are many very good Italian wines too! (Katse does enjoy a glass of wine...)

Originally posted by lborgia88 There are many very good Italian wines too! (Katse does enjoy a glass of wine...)

I agree LB ... Italians do know how to eat and what to drink! Fortunately we've got many similar dishes here, being neighbours, and we taste their wine regularly! I like their wines ... the Mediterranean climate helps their vineyards a lot. But, personally, nothing compares with the Californian Zinfandel! ... and Chilean wines! P.S. With you mentioning Katse and his love for wine, I'm imagining him commanding some of his Goons to roll up their trousers and press grapes with their bare feet along with funny music! And I haven't had a sip of wine yet!

I could see Katse ordering some unfortunate goons to make him wine (though seeing their feet stomping the grapes would put me off the idea of drinking it!) but then I could also see him just sending a mecha to attack a winery and steal it

The second supposition does make more sense! But you don't know what crazy minds may come up with! I won't volunteer to be a taster either for sure!