>garganelli, strozzapreti, cappelletti, agnolotti...

I can never get the pasta names straight.

A pasta guide for Italian restaurants (serving good ones) would be handy.

I wouldn't really want our menus to come with shiny little accompanying pictures, either. They would start to look like T.G.I. Friday's.

I suppose I'd have to make one myself. Here's one for *L'impero, which offers a relative bargain four course prix fixe at $64. Different from seven course $110 chef's tasting menu.
(Some cab drivers don't know where the charming Tudor City Place is, between 1st and 2nd. I wasn't paying attention, and he stayed on 42nd and missed it. You have to tell them to go to 41st and turn.)

*since closed, now Convivio

***

L'impero Winter Dinner Menu

PASTA

1)

Garganelli con Funghi e Rosmarino
-homemade pasta quills, braised wild mushrooms scented with rosemary 

garganelli
derived from Latin gargala, tracheal artery
mnemonic - 'quill', 'cannoli'

2)

Agnolotti al Bietole e Ricotta di Bufala
-swiss chard and buffalo ricotta ravioli, tomato puree and garlic breadcrumbs 

agnolotti
derived from Latin anellus, diminutive of anus ring
mnemonic - uh, 'ravioli'

3)
Tagliolini al Nero di Seppia alla Pescatore
-squid ink tagliolini with mixed seafood

tagliolini
like tagliatelle, cut into strips
mnemonic - 'fettuccine, spaghetti'

4)

Strozzapreti con Seppia, Pancetta e Cime di Rape
-hand-rolled maccheroni with cuttlefish, pancetta and broccoli rabe 

strozzapreti
means 'priest choker'
mnemonic - 'pretty ringlet'

5)
Cappelletti di Frutti di Mare
-crab and shrimp filled pasta with black trumpet mushrooms and lobster butter 

cappelletti
from Latin cappa 
mnemonic - 'little hat'

6)

Fusilli al Ragu Napoletano
-handmade pasta twists, Neapolitan pork shoulder ragu and cacciocavallo fonduta

fusilli
from Latin fusus
mnemonic - 'corkscrew'

7) 

Tortelli di Amatrice con Salsa di Cacio e Pepe
amatriciana filled pasta, melted butter, pecorino and black pepper

tortelli
from Latin torta
mnemonic - 'dumpling'

***
L'arte di mangiar bene.
Buon appetito!