Trattoria


A trattoria is an Italian eatery, generally less formal than a ristorante but more formal than an osteria.
A trattoria rooted in tradition, typically, is without a printed menu, with casual service, wine sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, low prices, and a menu of modest but plentiful offerings that follow regional and local recipes rather than haute cuisine. Sometimes, food is served family-style, at common tables. Optionally, a trattoria may offer takeaway. This 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.

Etymology

The word trattoria is cognate with the French term traiteur. Derived in Italian from trarre, meaning 'to treat', 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.