Aperitivo

This is perhaps one of the best things that we don't have in the States.  

Aperitivo: bevanda alcolica o analcolica che si beve prima dei pasti per stuzzicare l'appetito
Aperitif: an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer

Basically, many bars have an offering that when you buy a drink (sometimes it's the normal cost, other times they charge a bit more) you get to help yourself to a buffet of food.  Some places only have cold foods, like a pasta salad, bruschetta, an array of vegetables BUT the good places offer much, much more.  In theory one should not be making a dinner out of this, but you easily can.  For the price of 1 cocktail or beer you can help yourself to a large array of food, cheaper than most of the places you can go for dinner.  I think I can say that we've (some friends and I) become aperitivo connoisseurs, so here's some of our favorite places to go for an inexpensive "meal". 

Sant'Ambrogio Bar Caffe Enoteca (4€)
Enoteca de Macci (6.50€)
News Cafe (7€)
Le Carceri (5€)