Is the fish fresh today?
PE-sce — two syllables, 'sc' before 'e' is like 'sh'. Stress on the first syllable.
Before ordering fish or seafood, especially at inland restaurants where freshness can vary depending on the day's delivery.
'Fresco' means fresh. Italian law requires restaurants to declare whether fish is fresh or frozen ('decongelato') on the menu. However, asking directly is still the most reliable way to get honest information.
Il pesce è fresco o surgelato?
Is the fish fresh or frozen?
More specific — distinguishes between fresh and frozen
Cosa c'è di fresco oggi?
What is fresh today?
Open-ended — lets the waiter tell you what just arrived
Il branzino è di giornata?
Is the sea bass today's catch?
'Di giornata' (of the day) — Italian term for freshly delivered that day
Italian law (D.Lgs. 231/2017) requires menus to indicate whether fish has been frozen. The term 'decongelato' (defrosted) must appear next to frozen fish. 'Di giornata' or 'fresco' without qualifiers means it arrived that day.