If you haven't eaten your way across Italy yet, consider the advice of someone who has. Italian food varies dramatically from region to region, but you can rest assured that you will find pasta, wine, espresso and gelato wherever you go.
We, however, suggest stepping out of your culinary comfort zone to try all (or almost all) that the country has to offer. Here is a guide to the basics. When it fails, your best bet is to order what the guy next to you is having -- "prendo quello che ha preso lui."
If you still have room left in your brain? Brush up on your Français food and drink essentials with 100 French Food/Drink Words and Phrases.
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Here's a phrase I learned for use with the restaurant owner after a terrific meal. It will certainly get you a huge smile and maybe even a hug. When you're asked if you would care for anything more to eat or drink, don't say in English "I'm full" and don't say "Io finito" in Italian to try to signify you are done eating as this means something more like I am finished because I'm dead. The best response is: "Grazie, no. Abbiamo mangiato bene" or " No, thank you. We have eaten well". Nothing makes an Italian happier than to know they've fed you well and fed you enough. Buon appetito e buon viaggio!