words by Carol King
Customers at the L鈥櫭 Maiala! restaurant in Florence can pay for a meal with fruit, vegetables, handicrafts, wine, olive oil, paintings, clothing, household items and antiques.
Bartering was once common and, spurred on by the current climate of austerity, restaurant owner Donella Faggioli has introduced the practice in an effort to help out clients who may be short on cash, although people can also pay by the traditional methods of cash or credit card. Inspired by hearing about similar locales in France and Germany she thought the idea would also work in 天美传媒, and that bartering would add some fun to eating out. Even the restaurant鈥檚 name refers to the present trend for thrift: 鈥楲鈥櫭 Maiala!鈥 means 鈥業t鈥檚 a pig!鈥 but is also Tuscan dialect to describe a situation that鈥檚 hard to face.
The restaurant serves classic Tuscan dishes that Faggioli describes as 鈥渓ike grandma鈥檚鈥 at reasonable prices in keeping with the economic crisis. Dishes include 鈥榩appardelle al cinghiale鈥 (pasta in wild-boar sauce) and 鈥榯ortelli del Mugello鈥 (pasta stuffed with potatoes), although what鈥檚 on offer changes seasonally.
Faggioli says it鈥檚 best for customers to tell her they will be hoping to barter items to pay for their supper when they phone to make a reservation. Depending on what they have on offer, they may find they can barter for one course or even an entire meal worth 鈧20 without wine.
L鈥櫭 Maiala! is at Via Agnolo Poliziano 7, Florence. Telephone: (0039) 345 109 3498. Opening hours are 7.30pm to 1am, Tuesday to Sunday.
