Appetizers Quote by Matt Goulding
““Renzo from Roddino leaves us on the doorstep of Osteria da Gemma, a Langhe culinary landmark in a village scarcely large enough to fill the restaurant. Before we can shake off the wet and the cold, before we can see a menu or catch our breath, the waiter comes by and drops a cutting board full of salumi between us. Prego . Then another plate comes out- carne cruda , a soft mound of hand-chopped veal dressed with nothing but olive oil and a bit of lemon, a classic warm-up to a Piedmont meal. The plates continue, and it soon becomes very clear that we have no say in the matter. Insalata russa , a tricolore of toothsome green peas, orange carrots, and ivory potatoes, bound in a cloak of mayonnaise and crumbled egg yolk. Vitello tonnato , Piedmont's famous take on surf and turf: thin slices of roast beef with a thick emulsion of mayo and tuna. Each bite brings us slowly out of the mist of emotion and into the din of the dining room.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Food Review, The New York Times, 2019
The dining experience overwhelms the diner with rapid, unchosen courses, turning the meal into a sensory immersion rather than a choice.
In simple terms: Food is presented without the diner’s input, creating a vivid, forced tasting journey.
Embrace the surprise of curated meals.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- fine dining
- travel
- cultural exploration
- food journalism
- group meals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you enjoy being guided through a meal without choosing?
- How does forced tasting affect your perception of cuisine?
The lack of choice may alienate diners who prefer agency over their plate.