Formaggi e Dolci

In traditional Italian meals, cheese is served before the dessert. The cheese course is called formaggio da tavola and it usually consists of a soft cheese such as Stracchino or Taleggio, or, as in every Italian trattoria outside Italy, Gorgonzola or Bel Paese. You can occasionally choose between Mozzarella di Bufala or Ricotta di Pecora, or even Mascarpone. It is also now very popular to have Grana con le Pere, a rather young Parmigiano cheese served in flakes accompanied by fresh pears. Cheese is eaten with either grissini or bread, never with butter or celery.