KANSAS CITY — Restaurants are saying “ciao” to chow inspired by Italian fare, featuring flavors of the country’s cuisine in their new menu items.
Corner Bakery Cafe has devoted an entire new menu dishes from the distant country. The restaurant’s new Italian Inspirations menu features the Italian Classic Sandwich, the Rustic Italian Panini and the Italian Chef Salad.
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| Ric Scicchitano, executive vice-president of the food and supply chain at Corner Bakery Cafe |
“We’ve combined traditional Italian meats and cheeses to create classic Italian flavors in our cafes,” said Ric Scicchitano, executive vice-president of the food and supply chain at Corner Bakery Cafe. “Guests will experience the fresh tastes of Italy with capicola ham, Genoa salami, provolone, fresh mozzarella and pepperoncini featured in our new sandwiches and salads.”
Also featuring flavors from abroad, Arby’s is adding the Italian Meatball sandwich to its menu. The sandwich features four Italian meatballs, roasted garlic marinara and melted provolone cheese on a toasted sub roll.
Even Starbucks is introducing an overseas-inspired offering, based off an Italian dessert.
“In neighborhood trattorias in Italy, dinner is often finished off with gelato affogato — a scoop of Italian ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso,” Starbucks said.
The coffee chain’s new Affogato-style Frappuccino, inspired by the popular Italian dessert, is a blended beverage consisting of a finished vanilla bean, caramel or mocha Frappuccino with a shot of espresso poured on top.
Click for a slideshow of new menu items.
