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Eating in Pisa
Cuisine in Pisa provides variety and taste, as diverse as the places around it. From the sea to the farm land and on to the sweet, mountainous landscape dominated by grain, olives and vines which on the high-ground gives way to rugged, wooded landscape. A lot of restaurants in the historic center present typical dishes from Pisa, as well as fine, protected produce such as Monte Pisano olive oil, Pecorino cheese, Parco di Migliarino lamb, Pisan beef, San Miniato truffle, pine nuts, mushrooms, Pisanello tomatoes and much more.
Pisan cuisine combines lots of types of meat. You can enjoy typical Pisan beef, wild boar with olives, lamb fricassee, rabbit and lots of game: hare, pheasant, deer and wild boar, prepared in various ways. Obviously, fish is also very much present: there is lots of dried cod, which you can eat "alla Pisana", fried or in a sweet and sour sauce. The coastal stock farms provide eels, mussels and clams; the Cozze Ripiene, mussels filled with secret ingredients, are excellent.
Some places to enjoy the Pisa recipes:
Bruno, Via Bianchi 12 (Tel: 050.560.818). Outside the historic centre, northeast of the Leaning Tower, this traditional antica trattoria is known for its top-notch, and pricey, Pisan cuisine. Closed Mon eve & Tues.
La Grotta, Via San Francesco 103 (Tel: 050.578.105). Comfortable, quiet old osteria in a cave-like setting, with the motto "wine, bread and company". Locals crowd in at the benches to sample unfussy Tuscan nosh. Closed for lunch and all day Sun.
Mensa Universitaria , Via Martiri. Student refectory off Piazza Cavalieri; the cheapest meals in town. Closed Sat & Sun eve, and mid-July to mid-Sept.
La Mescita, Via Cavalca 2. This small restaurant in the warren of the Piazza Vettovaglie market is an academic institution, patronized by students and professors alike. Set menus (including vegetarian) from L35,000/?18.08. Closed Mon, and Tues & Wed lunch.
Osteria dei Cavalieri, Via San Frediano 16 (Tel: 050.580.858, www.toscana.net/pisa/odc ). Outstanding quality, with English-speaking staff and a calm, fresh atmosphere. The fish is exquisite, Tuscan meat and game dishes are expertly prepared, and their vegetarian options are excellent. Eat à la carte or choose from a welter of set menus starting at L30,000/?15.49. Closed Sat lunch & Sun.
Al Ristoro dei Vecchi Macelli, Via Volturno 49 (Tel: 050.20.424). Acclaimed as Pisa's best restaurant, with a wide range of sophisticated, innovative takes on Tuscany's gourmet traditions - choose from meat or fish set menus for upwards of L50,000/?25.82. Closed Sun lunch & Wed.
Lo Schiaccianoci, Via Vespucci 104 (Tel: 050.21.024). Wonderful, if tiny, upper-midpriced fish and seafood restaurant in an hard-to-reach location east of the station. Closed Sun.
Taverna Kostas, Via del Borghetto 39. Longstanding local favourite, offering a mix of Greek and Mediterranean cooking, as well as Pisan seafood. Closed Sun lunch & Mon.
Il Vecchio Dado, Lungarno Pacinotti 21 (Tel: 050.580.900). Quality pizzeria on the waterfront with a friendly welcome, classy food (the fish dishes are excellent) and lively atmosphere. Closed Wed & Thurs lunch.
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