A ''trattoria'' (plural: ''trattorie'') is an Italian-style eating establishment that is generally much less formal than a '' ristorante'', but more formal than an ''

osteria An osteria (, plural ''osterie'') in Italy was originally a place serving wine and simple food. Lately, the emphasis has shifted to the food, but menus tend to be short, with the emphasis on local specialities such as pasta and grilled meat o ...

''. A ''trattoria'' rooted in tradition may typically provide no printed menu, casual service, wine sold by the

decanter A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold the decantation of a liquid (such as wine) which may contain sediment. Decanters, which have a varied shape and design, have been traditionally made from glass or crystal. Their volume is usually equ ...

rather than the bottle, and low prices, with an emphasis on a steady clientele rather than on ''

haute cuisine ''Haute cuisine'' (; ) or ''grande cuisine'' is the cuisine of "high-level" establishments, gourmet restaurants, and luxury hotels. ''Haute cuisine'' is characterized by the meticulous preparation and careful presentation of food at a high pri ...

''. Food tends to be modest but plentiful, mostly following regional and local recipes, sometimes even served family-style, at common tables. This homely tradition has waned in recent decades. Many ''trattorie'' have taken on some of the trappings of a ''ristorante'', providing relatively few concessions to the old rustic and familial style. The name ''trattoria'' has also been adopted by some high-level restaurants. Optionally, ''trattoria'' food could be bought in containers to be taken home. Etymologically, the word is

cognate In historical linguistics, cognates or lexical cognates are sets of words in different languages that have been inherited in direct descent from an etymology, etymological ancestor in a proto-language, common parent language. Because language c ...

with the French term ''traiteur'' (a caterer providing take-out food). Derived in Italian from ''trarre'', meaning 'to treat' (from the Latin ''tractare''/''trahere'', i.e. 'to draw'), its etymology has also been linked to the Latin term ''littera tractoria'', which referred to a letter ordering provision of food and drink for officials traveling on the business of the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was a Polity, political entity in Western Europe, Western, Central Europe, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, dissolution i ...

References

Italian cuisine Italian restaurants Restaurants in Italy Restaurants by type {{italy-cuisine-stub

See also

References