Piatto

Piatti, singular piatto, is an Italian noun that denotes both plateware and a served dish. The masculine singular is il piatto and the plural is i piatti. As a common noun, it can refer to the physical plate as well as to the food that is placed on it.

In culinary usage, piatto is frequently used to describe dishes on a menu or in a kitchen. Typical phrases include piatti di pasta (pasta dishes), piatti di carne (meat dishes), and piatto principale (the main course). A single-dish meal is described as piatto unico. The word also appears in terminology related to serving ware, such as piatto fondo (deep plate), piatto piano (flat plate), and piatto da dessert (dessert plate) or piatto da portata (serving dish).

Cultural and dining context emphasizes presentation and portioning. Italian meals often progress through multiple piatti or courses, and the choice and arrangement of plates can reflect regional traditions and seasonal ingredients. The term piatti tipici is used to refer to regional or characteristic dishes.

The concept of piatto extends beyond everyday dining to culinary writing, restaurants, and food media, where it helps distinguish between the vessel and the dish being presented. In summary, piatto encompasses both the plate used to serve food and the culinary creations themselves, reflecting a central aspect of Italian dining and table manners.