Few things in life are as delightful as an authentic Italian meal. A journey through distinct courses, Italian dining is based around a culture that celebrates good food, nourishment, family, and friends. Italian food is both comforting and tantalizing, and courses are never rushed.
For your traditional dining pleasure, Partenope Ristorante serves authentic Italian cuisine in Dallas and Richardson, Texas.
The Italian Dinner Culture
A traditional Italian meal focuses on how best to enjoy the food and the company. Dinner can last as long as four hours, with as many as 10 courses on the menu. Italian dining is an experience that goes far beyond simply consuming sustenance. Eating is a social ritual and a celebration of life itself.
At Partenope Ristorante, we structure the menu to closely resemble the courses of an authentic Italian meal.
Aperitivo Hour: Cocktails
Like the French aperitif, the aperitivo begins the meal. This course may consist of bubbly beverages like prosecco, spumante, champagne, or even beer, served alongside small dishes of olives, cheese, or nuts. The aperitivo is meant to cleanse and wet the palate while “opening” the stomach before dining.
Partenope Ristorante serves spritzes like Aperol and prosecco, Italian wine, and beer.
Antipasti: Appetizers
Translating to “before meal”, the antipasti course is commonly called the starter. These appetizers are something to nibble on before the main courses are served and often consist of a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, and bread.
Popular choices at Partenope Ristorante include the Salumi Board, featuring prosciutto di parma and salame Toscana, and the Vegetarian Bruschetta, with garlic, cherry tomato, olive oil, basil, balsamic reduction, and Parmesan on toasted house bread.
Primi Piatti: First Course
The first official course, the primi piatti, is the pasta course. Often, these dishes do not contain meat in anticipation of the heavier secondi piatti.
At Partenope, we serve a variety of fresh pastas made in-house. Authentic first course choices are our traditional Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Penne di Parmigiano e Funghi with mushrooms, pistachio, and Parmesan cream.
Secondi Piatti: Second Course
The second course of an Italian meal is the main course and usually contains meat and/or seafood. If two dishes are served in the secondi, a sorbet palate cleanser might come between them.
Try the Ragu Napolentano at Partenope, imported paccheri pasta with a slow-cooked pork and beef tomato ragù, or one of our signature Neapolitan pizzas, such as the Trifolato with Italian sausage, peppers, and mushrooms.
Insalate: Salad
In Italy, salad is not served as an appetizer but as a palate cleanser before the sweet course. It consists of leafy greens dressed simply with oil and vinegar and a little salt and pepper. This course might sometimes be omitted, but if made with local, seasonal greens, it is refreshing, tasty, and worth it.
The insalate at Partenope is made with field greens, tomato, carrot, Parmesan, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Dolce: Dessert
No meal is complete without a rich Italian dolce. Favorites include tiramisu, panna cotta, cannoli, and gelato.
Stop in Today to Try Our Authentic Italian Dinner
To enjoy an authentic Italian dinner, visit us at Partenope Ristorante today. With convenient locations at 1903 Main Street in Dallas and 110 S. Greenville Avenue in Richardson, our restaurant is a top destination for la Vera Pizza Napoletana- true Italian pizza- plus other specialties of Naples. Join us for Aperitivo Hour, Monday through Friday, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the bar or on the patio. We also host Neopolitan pizza-making classes.
Contact us today for more information about our Italian meal courses, about scheduling a class, or to reserve a table.
