For our anniversary, my husband and I went to this superb Italian restaurant in DC. I ordered a veal in some sort of stew. As I was eating (using fork and knife) the waiter came over and placed a tiny fork in the middle of the meat. What on earth was it for and what was I supposed to do with it? It was really embarrassing not knowing, and I couldn't ask him because he was foreign and didn' t understand anything we said beyond what food we ordered. Eventually, I resumed eating the way I had been. Any help would be wonderful. Thank you!
2007-06-30 05:44:40 · 10 answers · asked by Meg S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Lucky you! You were eating veal osso bucco! The little fork is used to pick out the marrrow out the bone, you sprinkle on a little salt & you're good togo -- it's a delicacy & truly the best part of the entree!
2007-06-30 05:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by napqueen 6 · 9⤊ 0⤋
The little tiny fork is called a cocktail fork.
They are commonly served with shrimp cocktail, escargot, etc...
While it was rude of the waiter to bring it after you had begun eating, he most likely brought it for two reasons.
1. Veal is not as common of a dish (in every day restaurants) as it used to be. It is meant to be savored in small, dainty bites.
2. It was in "some sort of stew" that you would dip the bits of meat in to.
When in doubt, spy your neighbors and do what they are doing. If you don't see anyone using utensils you have been provided, do what you're comfortable with.
Don't be embarrassed! Only the true snobs that are not worth knowing would make any mention of it.
You absolutely did the right thing.
2007-06-30 05:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by kamcrash 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Napqueen is correct. When I'm in DC, we go to an Italian restaurant on New York Ave (I think it's called Luigino's) and they serve their osso bucco with a small fork to remove the marrow from the bone hole. Delicious. Hope you had a happy anniversary!
2007-06-30 06:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by Bluebell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had Veal Marsala last night and no tiny fork. I'm beginning to feel left out!
Now you have piqued my curiosity. I will have to look into this "tiny fork" thing.
If no one knows before I find out, I will place the answer in the comment portion of this question or within the body of my answer.
2007-06-30 05:56:00 · answer #4 · answered by surffsav 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it was a cocktail fork, it may have been given to you to dip food into a sauce. Sometimes you will be given a fork to eat "finger food" or pastries. Otherwise, I find it strange that he would actually put the fork into the meat as you were eating it, and not to the side.
2007-06-30 05:56:23 · answer #5 · answered by Wilddawgz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe to eat a tiny little baby cow you needed a tiny little baby fork??
;-)
i expect it was a mistake and he misheard his directions from the kitchen.. you would not be handed extra cutlery after commencing eating.. it would be provided with the dish if not already on the table.
2007-06-30 05:49:09 · answer #6 · answered by emma m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have been the same as you...I have no idea what the little fork was for.....
2007-06-30 05:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by bernman101 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe because it was so tender that using a big fork would mess it up... and aslo so you can have tinier bites and savor it more.?
2007-06-30 05:52:35 · answer #8 · answered by Rachael T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fork you for eating babies.
2007-06-30 14:08:33 · answer #9 · answered by Buddha13 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i love yahoo answers! thanks napqueen!
2007-06-30 06:05:03 · answer #10 · answered by chieko 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋