Country Article / Postcards
Eating Well in Belize
Date: 01/04/2006
Ambergris Caye is home to one of the 10 best restaurants in the world...we were surprised, too
Dear International Living Reader,
World-class diving...pirates...tropical birds and exotic creatures... These are what you probably imagine when you think of Belize. But good food? Hardly. However, I'm pleased to report that things are changing.
I recently dined at La Tavernetta, a new Italian restaurant near Belize City. The quality of the food (I had the pasta carbonara) was excellent, and I believe a harbinger of more high-caliber restaurants to come in this country.
The entrepreneur behind La Tavernetta is Franco Boscardi, an Italian who came to Belize as a pilot, and who, like many other expats here, decided to open his own business. The instinctive caution of pilots may have prevented Boscardi from falling into the trap of attempting too much too soon. Right now, his menu is limited to a few carefully chosen classic Italian dishes, but he told me he plans a gradual widening of the selection.
On Ambergris Caye, Casa Picasso was recently rated by Fodor's as one of 10 best restaurants in the world. As the name suggests, Casa Picasso features dishes that are Spanish-influenced, including tapas, paella, and a variety of spicy seafood.
Few people outside of Ambergris Caye are aware of Cassa Picasso's recent award...and fewer again outside of Belize City know about the opening of La Tavernetta. News simply doesn't travel fast in this country.
Dining at these two restaurants made me realize that however much cuisine improves in Belize, visitors can't rely on local newspapers or hotel concierges for information about good places to eat here. Instead, ask local residents--shop owners, taxi drivers, scuba instructors, Internet café owners...anyone you meet during your travels. Then share your information with others.
You'll find La Tavernetta at 2 Dolphin Drive, in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City; tel. + (501) 223-7998. Casa Picasso is at Sting Ray Street, off Coconut Drive on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye; tel. + (501) 226-4507. The price of main courses at both restaurants ranges from $7.50-$14.
Don Ediger
For International Living
Rate this Postcard:
Rating: 3/5 (22 votes cast)