“Antipasto” is an Italian word that translates into English as “before the meal”. It essentially describes an appetizer course, coming in the form of a small course early in the meal for diners to partake of while they wait on their main dishes. In an Italian household, the antipasto course may be a casual thing wherein they get a bit of salami, cheese, and bread out of the refrigerator while their meal is prepared. On more special occasions, the hostess may plan a more elaborate antipasto course with meat, fish, vegetables, and breads, the likes of which you might expect in an Italian restaurant.
When you dine out in Italy, you can generally expect some variety of antipasti. There may be a buffet, or you may be able to order up an appetizer from the kitchen. Some of the finer restaurants will make more of an event out of their antipasti, offering some elaborate specialty dishes to whet your appetite.
At Amaro Bistro in Bothell, we offer a variety of quality antipasto dishes. Try some sauteed calamari, beef tenderloin, bruschetta, white prawns, and more!