Italian restaurant menus can be exciting, but they can also include unfamiliar words and phrases.

You may recognize dishes such as pasta, lasagna, or ravioli, but other menu terms—such as alla vodka, marsala, scampi, carbonara, or zuppa di pesce—may require a little explanation.

Understanding common Italian menu terms can make ordering easier and help you choose dishes based on their ingredients, preparation methods, and flavors.

For diners searching for an Italian restaurant in Greensboro NC, learning these terms can also make it easier to explore a menu before visiting.

Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant in Greensboro offers a menu inspired by Italian culinary traditions, with choices that include handcrafted pasta, seafood, premium steaks, chicken, veal, appetizers, soups, salads, and other Italian specialties.

You can explore the current Giovanni’s Italian menu  before your visit, but this guide will help explain several common terms you may encounter.

Why Italian Menu Terms Matter

Italian food names often describe an ingredient, preparation style, sauce, shape, or regional influence.

For example:

• Alla generally means “in the style of” or “prepared with.”

• Marinara refers to a tomato-based sauce.

• Carbonara describes a pasta preparation traditionally associated with eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper.

• Marsala often refers to a sauce prepared with Marsala wine.

• Scampi commonly describes a preparation involving shrimp, garlic, butter, wine, or lemon.

Knowing these terms helps you understand what to expect instead of choosing a dish based only on its name.

1. What Does “Alla” Mean?

The word alla is commonly used in Italian food names.

It generally means “in the style of” or “prepared in the manner of.”

For example:

• Alla carbonara means prepared in the style of carbonara.

• Alla vodka means prepared with vodka sauce.

• Alla marinara means prepared with marinara sauce.

The word itself does not identify one specific ingredient. Instead, it connects the dish to a particular preparation style.

When you see alla on a menu, look at the word that follows it to understand the flavor profile or cooking method.

2. What Is Marinara Sauce?

Marinara is one of the most recognizable Italian-style sauces.

It is generally made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, olive oil, and seasonings. Recipes vary, but marinara is usually associated with a bright, savory tomato flavor.

Marinara sauce is often served with:

• Pasta

• Meatballs

• Chicken Parmesan

• Seafood

• Bread

• Fried appetizers

At Giovanni’s, marinara appears in several Italian dishes, including classic appetizers and entrée preparations.

If you enjoy traditional tomato-based flavors, marinara is a useful term to recognize when reviewing an Italian dinner menu .

3. What Is Carbonara?

Carbonara is a classic pasta preparation traditionally associated with eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper.

The sauce is known for its rich texture and savory flavor. Traditional carbonara does not require heavy cream, although variations may appear in different restaurants or interpretations.

The word carbonara is often seen in the dish name spaghetti alla carbonara.

At Giovanni’s, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara is one of the pasta selections available on the menu.

When ordering carbonara, diners can expect a pasta dish with a rich, savory profile rather than a tomato-based sauce.

4. What Is Alla Vodka?

Alla vodka refers to a sauce that typically combines tomato, cream, and vodka.

The vodka is not usually intended to make the dish taste strongly alcoholic. Instead, it is used as part of the sauce preparation and can help bring together the tomato and cream flavors.

A typical vodka sauce may include:

• Tomatoes

• Cream

• Garlic

• Cheese

• Herbs

• Vodka

Giovanni’s menu includes Rigatoni Alla Vodka.

Rigatoni is a tube-shaped pasta, which makes it a natural choice for a sauce that can collect inside and around the pasta.

This is a good example of how the pasta shape and sauce work together.

5. What Is Ravioli?

Ravioli is a type of stuffed pasta.

It is usually made by placing a filling between two layers of pasta dough, sealing the edges, and cooking the pieces until tender.

Fillings can include:

• Cheese

• Spinach

• Meat

• Seafood

• Vegetables

• Other seasoned ingredients

Ravioli can be served with different sauces, including tomato, cream, butter, or seafood-based preparations.

Giovanni’s offers Lobster Ravioli, which combines stuffed pasta with seafood flavors.

For a more detailed look at this dish, you can read about why Lobster Ravioli is one of the most popular Italian dishes in Greensboro NC .

6. What Is Fettuccine?

Fettuccine is a long, flat pasta shape.

Its wider surface makes it especially suitable for sauces that coat the pasta, including creamy or rich preparations.

Fettuccine is often associated with Alfredo sauce, although it can be served with many other sauces and ingredients.

At Giovanni’s, Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the available pasta dishes.

The combination of flat pasta and creamy sauce is popular because the sauce can coat the surface of the pasta evenly.

When you see fettuccine on a menu, expect a long, ribbon-like pasta rather than a tube or stuffed shape.

7. What Is Rigatoni?

Rigatoni is a short, tube-shaped pasta with ridges along its surface.

The ridges and hollow center allow the pasta to hold sauce, making it suitable for hearty or creamy preparations.

Rigatoni is often served with:

• Tomato sauce

• Vodka sauce

• Meat sauce

• Cream-based sauces

• Vegetables

• Meat or seafood ingredients

Giovanni’s offers Rigatoni Alla Vodka, a dish that combines the structure of rigatoni with a creamy tomato-based vodka sauce.

Understanding the shape can help diners predict the texture of the dish before ordering.

8. What Is Marsala?

Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily.

In restaurant menus, the word Marsala often refers to a sauce made using Marsala wine, commonly combined with ingredients such as mushrooms, butter, stock, or cream.

Marsala sauce is often used with:

• Chicken

• Veal

• Mushrooms

• Pasta

• Other savory ingredients

Chicken Marsala and Veal Marsala are two familiar examples.

The flavor is generally savory, rich, and slightly sweet, depending on the wine and preparation.

For guests who enjoy dishes with a wine-based sauce, Marsala can be a useful term to recognize.

9. What Is Scampi?

The term scampi traditionally refers to a type of small crustacean, but in many American Italian restaurant menus, it commonly describes a shrimp preparation.

Shrimp scampi is often prepared with ingredients such as:

• Shrimp

• Garlic

• Butter

• Olive oil

• White wine

• Lemon

• Herbs

The result is usually a bright, savory dish with garlic and lemon flavors.

Giovanni’s offers Shrimp Scampi as part of its seafood selections.

If you enjoy seafood and want to explore more Italian seafood dishes, you can visit the restaurant’s seafood restaurant page in Greensboro NC .

10. What Is Zuppa di Pesce?

Zuppa di pesce translates generally to “fish soup” or “seafood soup.”

In Italian cuisine, the dish commonly refers to a seafood preparation that may include a combination of fish, shellfish, tomatoes, broth, wine, herbs, or other ingredients.

Recipes vary by region and restaurant.

The dish is often associated with coastal Italian cooking because seafood is the central ingredient.

At Giovanni’s, Zuppa Di Pesce is listed among the seafood selections.

This dish can be a good option for diners who want to experience several seafood flavors in one entrée.

11. What Does “Frutti di Mare” Mean?

Frutti di mare means “fruits of the sea.”

On an Italian menu, it generally refers to a dish containing a combination of seafood.

Depending on the recipe, it may include ingredients such as:

• Shrimp

• Clams

• Mussels

• Calamari

• Fish

• Scallops

• Other shellfish

Frutti di mare is often served with pasta, rice, tomato sauce, white wine sauce, or olive oil and garlic.

The term is useful to recognize because it usually indicates a seafood combination rather than one single type of fish.

12. What Is Antipasti?

Antipasti is the plural form of antipasto.

It refers to appetizers or small dishes served before the main course.

Antipasti may include:

• Cured meats

• Cheese

• Marinated vegetables

• Olives

• Seafood

• Fried appetizers

• Bruschetta

• Meatballs

The purpose of antipasti is to begin the meal and introduce different flavors before the main entrée.

At Giovanni’s, appetizer options include Calamari Fritti, Burrata & Prosciutto, Homemade Meatballs, Oysters Rockefeller, Mussels Marinara, Escargot, and Lamb Lollipops.

Starting with an appetizer can be a good way to share food with the table before selecting individual entrées.

13. What Is Lasagna?

Lasagna is a baked pasta dish made with layers of pasta, sauce, cheese, and other ingredients.

Depending on the recipe, lasagna may include:

• Meat sauce

• Ricotta

• Mozzarella

• Parmesan

• Vegetables

• Other fillings

The layered structure gives lasagna its recognizable texture.

It is often considered a comforting Italian dish because it combines pasta, sauce, cheese, and a hearty filling in one preparation.

Giovanni’s includes Lasagna among its pasta offerings.

For diners who prefer a baked pasta dish instead of a long pasta or stuffed pasta preparation, lasagna can be a familiar and satisfying choice.

14. What Does “Parmigiana” Mean?

The term Parmigiana is often used for dishes that feature a breaded or prepared ingredient layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Chicken Parmesan, also called Chicken Parmigiana, is one of the best-known examples.

The dish commonly includes:

• Breaded chicken

• Tomato sauce

• Mozzarella

• Parmesan cheese

• Pasta or another side

Giovanni’s offers Chicken Parmesan as one of its Italian entrée selections.

If you want to learn more about this classic dish, explore the restaurant’s Chicken Parmesan page .

15. What Is Alfredo Sauce?

Alfredo is a creamy sauce commonly associated with butter, cheese, and cream.

In many Italian-American restaurant menus, Alfredo sauce is served with fettuccine, chicken, shrimp, or other pasta preparations.

The sauce is rich and smooth, making it popular with diners who prefer creamy pasta dishes.

Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the most recognizable examples.

When ordering Alfredo, keep in mind that the dish will generally be richer and creamier than pasta served with marinara or olive oil and garlic.

16. What Does “Al Dente” Mean?

Al dente translates to “to the tooth.”

It describes pasta that is cooked until tender but still has a slight firmness when bitten.

The pasta should not be raw or hard, but it should retain some structure rather than becoming overly soft.

Texture is an important part of pasta preparation.

The right cooking time depends on the type of pasta, its thickness, and whether it is fresh or dried.

When discussing pasta, al dente is one of the most useful Italian culinary terms to understand.

How to Use These Terms When Ordering

Understanding menu terminology can help you make a more confident decision.

Before ordering, consider these questions:

Do You Prefer Tomato-Based Sauces?

Look for terms such as:

• Marinara

• Pomodoro

• Arrabbiata

• Bolognese

Do You Prefer Creamy Sauces?

Look for:

• Alfredo

• Alla vodka

• Cream-based preparations

• Cheese-based sauces

Do You Enjoy Seafood?

Look for:

• Scampi

• Frutti di mare

• Zuppa di pesce

• Linguine with clams

• Lobster ravioli

Do You Prefer Stuffed Pasta?

Look for:

• Ravioli

• Manicotti

• Cannelloni

• Other filled pasta preparations

Do You Prefer Meat or Poultry?

Look for:

• Marsala

• Parmigiana

• Piccata

• Milanese

• Other entrée descriptions

These terms do not replace reading the full menu description, but they can help you understand the general style of a dish.

Explore Italian Food at Giovanni’s in Greensboro NC

For guests searching for an Italian restaurant in Greensboro NC, Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant offers a varied menu inspired by Italian cooking traditions.

The menu includes:

• Handmade-style pasta selections

• Seafood dishes

• Premium steaks

• Chicken and veal specialties

• Italian appetizers

• Salads and soups

• Desserts and beverages

The restaurant is located at 5831 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Guests can review the current menu before visiting to explore the available dishes and identify unfamiliar terms.

For diners interested in premium steak selections alongside Italian cuisine, Giovanni’s also offers a dedicated Certified Angus steakhouse experience in Greensboro NC .

Final Thoughts

Italian menu terminology can seem unfamiliar at first, but many terms provide useful clues about a dish.

Words such as marinara, carbonara, alla vodka, ravioli, marsala, scampi, antipasti, and frutti di mare describe sauces, ingredients, pasta styles, or preparation methods.

Once you understand these terms, it becomes easier to explore an Italian menu and choose dishes based on your preferences.

Whether you enjoy creamy pasta, tomato-based sauces, seafood, steak, chicken, or stuffed pasta, learning a few Italian food terms can make your next restaurant visit more enjoyable.

If you are planning to dine at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, view the current menu  and reserve your table  before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “alla” mean on an Italian menu?

“Alla” generally means “in the style of” or “prepared with.” For example, alla vodka refers to a dish prepared with vodka sauce.

What is the difference between marinara and Alfredo?

Marinara is generally a tomato-based sauce, while Alfredo is a creamy sauce commonly made with butter, cheese, and cream.

What does scampi mean?

On many American Italian menus, scampi commonly refers to shrimp prepared with ingredients such as garlic, butter, olive oil, wine, and lemon.

What is ravioli?

Ravioli is stuffed pasta made by placing a filling between layers of pasta dough and sealing the edges.

What does Marsala mean in Italian food?

Marsala commonly refers to a sauce prepared with Marsala wine, often served with chicken, veal, mushrooms, or pasta.

What is al dente pasta?

Al dente pasta is cooked until tender but still slightly firm when bitten.

Where can I find Italian food in Greensboro NC?

Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant is located at 5831 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407, and offers Italian pasta, seafood, steak, chicken, veal, and other Italian specialties.