"A Korean feast in the suburbs Really good, authentic ethnic food is hard to come by in Florence, so it's worth making a little effort to seek out this off-radar newcomer in the east of the city. Stylish, wood-lined Cucina16 is mainly a popular lunch-spot offering traditional Italian food, but on Friday and Saturday evenings it morphs into Kucina16 serving chef Jay You's excellent, elegant Korean cuisine. The five-course set menus change every few months, but include dishes like Yukhwoe (tartar made from tender fassone beef cut with fresh chilli, lime and green onion) and Samhap (salt cod fillet with miso glaze served with slow-cooked pork belly and kimchi). Spicing is toned down a little to cater for tender Italian palates and recipes make the odd allowance for impossible-to-source ingredients, but Jay You's beautifully-presented food is the real deal. It's also great value; set menus cost €25 or €30 including wine or beer and water."
