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The most tempting international bites in town Ethnofood
[Maddalena Delli]
There's little denying it, the Tuscans are rather conservative people, and doubly so when food is involved. That's probably why international cuisines have been puzzlingly slow to set up and build a reputation in Florence. Things however have changed considerably over the past decade or so, and both residents and visitors can now try their palate on dishes from a variety of culinary traditions.FINISTERRAE in via de' Pepi 5r (tel. 055.2347220) is one of the latest entries on the scene, and certainly worth trying. Its menu is Mediterranean in the broadest sense of the term, with Spanish, Provençal, Greek, North African and Lebanese specialities as well as Sounthern Italian dishes. Try a Moroccan cous cous with chicken or lamb meat, expertly sprinkled with coriander, curcuma, cinnamon and mixed nuts. It is best accompanied by Arab Tea with fresh mint. Greek dolmades, the delicious grape leaf wraps stuffed with feta cheese and herbs, are a real delicacy and come served lukewarm with loose grapes. You may also want to try the tempting Valencian paella or the grilled steak of Andalusian bull.
Bavarian dishes are the great attraction of BRAUMEISTER, a busy bar with an informal feel located in via Madonna della Tosse 12r off piazza della Libertà (tel. 055.500822). Braumeister serves food daily from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, and they also provide a delicious bargain for a buffet lunch. Try the Bavarian noodles or potato gnocchi with speck for your first course, and then move to a typical grill of wurst sausages or a more daring smoked pork shin. Round it off with an apple strudel with vanilla custard. And don't forget to ask the staff for advice on the perfect beer for your food according to the matching rules set by the Varese University of Beer! By the way, did you know that the Bavarian nickname for beer is "flüssiges Brot", meaning liquid bread?
For Mexican food, you can choose between the CAFE' CARACOL and El taco. Caracol is in via Ginori 10r (tel. 055.211427) and is your best option for the late afternoon happy hour or for a colorful night out with its live music: Italian and South American revival on Wednesdays, flamenco on Thursdays and tango on Fridays. In everybody's mind, Mexican cuisine equals beans and chili, but you'll soon discover that there's more to it, including preparations more suitable for those who don't have a flair for tongue-burning tastes. The menu features delicious fajitas (they can be red meat, chicken, fish or even vegetarian) seasoned in a variety of spices and served on a steaming hot grill with several sauces. Or you can have tasty enchiladas, tortillas stuffed with your selection of meat, fish, vegetable or cheese fillings. The proverbially hot Mexican dishes can be washed down with pitchers of sangria, margarita or bottled Mexican beers (Corona, Sol, Pacifico and Dos Equis).
EL TACO in via de' Benci 47r (tel. 055.241970) is a Mexican take-away place with original South American furniture and decorations; it is open until late and also provides a home delivery service. Their suggestions include conchita pibil (a Caribbean dish from the Yucatan peninsula), mole poblano (chicken from the Puebla area with a special sauce containing cocoa), the evergreen chili con carne, taco norteño (a sausage-based preparation) and tortillas which come in three sizes. Sauces include enchilada, casera and guacamole. The dishes are kept not too hot to start with, but can be spiced up according to personal taste using chili sauces like jalapeños, chipotle and habanero (the hottest chili in the world).
Another exciting recent addition to the Florentine scene of ethnic restaurants is a Lebanese place, MR. KEBAB. Conveniently located in piazza Santa Maria Novella 29r, on the side closest to piazza Stazione (tel. 055.215721), it offers an exciting choice of dishes from a 4,000 year old culinary tradition, each of them cooked using the best ingredients - fresh vegetables, spices and fruit - from the Mediterranean shores. Mr. Kebab is open daily from 11am till midnight, and a large selection of sandwitches and cooked dishes is available to eat in or take away, or can even be ordered with delivery to your doorstep. Names like shawarma kebab, falafel, tawouk, kaftan, hummus, tabouleh, fattush, kibbeh or kaftah may or may not be familiar to you, but they are certainly worth trying!
Let's then cross the Arno and reach the antipodes: in the stylish premises located in a Renaissance palace in Borgo San Frediano 10r (tel 055.291840), MOMOYAMA is the undisputed sushi leader in Florence. Chef Eric Stedman is in charge of the intriguing sushi and sashimi selection in a variety of mixes, while Simone Riani is the expert hand behind the "inventive food" and fish-based Japanese dishes including miso, soba, udon, teriyaki, totikara, sunomono and tempura. A choice of saké, oriental teas and Japanese beers - Karin, Sapporo and Asahi - is available to match.
BEST OF THE REST:
Greek: Dioniso (via San Gallo)
Spanish: Salamanca (via Ghibellina)
Brazialian: Maracana (via Faenza)
Cuban: Girasol Latin Bar (via del Romito)
French-Moroccan: Sésame (via delle Conce)
Tyrolean: Birreria Centrale (piazza Cimatori)
Egyptian: Amon (via Palazzuolo)
Senegalese: Dima (via Cristofori)
Indian: Haveli (viale Fratelli Rosselli)
Vietnamese: Saigon (via Ponte alle Mosse)
Chinese: Hong Kong (via dei Servi)
Thai: Fu Qui (via Marconi)
Buon appetito then!
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