If you've ever dined at Vinny's Italian Café in Baltimore, MD, you know that Italian dining is more than just a meal, it's an experience. The warmth, the laughter, the aromas of freshly made pasta and simmering sauces, it's all part of the magic of Italian cuisine. At Vinny's Italian Café, we believe that this experience shouldn't be limited to our restaurant. You can bring the charm and authenticity of Italy to your own home! Here are some tips/suggestions when planning your next Italian Themed dinner party.
Crafting the Perfect Menu
An authentic Italian dinner begins with a carefully curated menu that captures the essence of Italy's diverse culinary background. Here’s some classic Italian menu items that we believe every Italian dinner party should have.
1. Antipasto: Start with a spread of antipasti, which can include a variety of cured meats, marinated olives, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and bread. This not only sets the tone for the meal but also encourages guests to mingle and snack as you sip your wine. At Vinny’s Café we recommend our Italian Antipasto or Mediterranean Seafood Salad.
Primo (First Course): For the primo, consider a comforting bowl of pasta. We recommend our Scampi Trio or our Linguine Mare Chiaro. Both are simple yet flavorful, and both come with Mussels, Clams, and Shrimp. Our Scampi Trio uses a garlic lemon butter-based sauce whereas our Linguine Mare Chiaro is a marinara based sauce.
Secondo (Main Course): The main course should be something hearty with a choice of protein like Veal, Chicken, or shrimp. Here at Vinny’s Café, we highly recommend the Veal Marsala, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, shallots, and marsala wine over angel hair pasta.
Dolce (Dessert): Finish the meal with a classic Italian dessert. Tiramisu is always a crowd-pleaser, with its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.
Embrace Family-Style Dining
One of the most cherished aspects of Italian dining is the emphasis on sharing and togetherness. At Vinny’s Café, we believe in the power of family-style dining. Where large dishes are to be shared among everyone at the table. It encourages interaction amongst guest at the table, trade stories while you pass dishes around.
Reduce the stress on the cook/host by letting them prepare larger quantities of fewer dishes. Individual portions mean serving everyone at the same time and extra cleanup. Family style will help allow you to enjoy the evening with your guests instead of focusing on making sure everyone’s culinary needs are met.
The Experience of Slow Dining
In Italy, meals are leisurely savored. The idea is to enjoy the food, the company, and the moment. To recreate this experience pace the course. Allow time for guests to enjoy each dish, engage in conversation, and take breaks between courses. Create conversation prompts or share stories about Italy, its culture, or your experiences.
Send Guests Home with a Taste of Italy
Finally, consider sending your guests home with a little taste of Italy. A small bottle of extra virgin olive oil, a jar of homemade pasta sauce, or even a bundle of fresh herbs can make for delightful and memorable party favors.
Hosting an Italian dinner party at home can be a wonderfully immersive experience. Allow us at Vinny's Italian Café in Baltimore, MD to help create the perfect evening. With our catering options, you're sure to create a night that your guests will never forget. We will prepare the cuisine, so you won’t have to worry about anything besides your loved ones.
We visited your restaurant in between funeral home viewings. The staff was more than accommodating and understood that we had a limited time. Everything was absolutely delicious and the service was above and beyond! We live in northern Baltimore County and Hartford County, but we will be back! Thank you. Thank you thank you