Elidor Patisserie — Restaurant in Bergamo

I passed by Elidor Patisserie in Bergamo yesterday and asked for a salad and was offered the “Israeli Cuscus” as an alternative. I was shocked at the name and at chose not to purchase the item and I would like to explain here, shortly, why.

The food which this restaurant calls “Israeli cuscus” is in fact Maftoul. This traditional Palestinian dish made from rolling wheat flour onto a grain of bulgur has a long and rich history in that region, long preceding the Israeli state by hundreds if not thousands of years. While the word used to describe this dish, i.e. “Cuscus” is actually a North African, from the Moroccan and Algerian regions, that is made from Semolina. Two distinct dishes from two different cuisines. Confusing the two does injustice to both Maftoul and of Cuscus. More importantly, the naming of Maftoul as “Israeli cuscus” is not new and is far from an innocent act. It is a deliberate appropriation and erasure of Palestinian culture and history, very much in line with the current act of erasure of the Palestinian people, and indeed of settler colonialism more generally. Choosing to name Maftoul as “cuscus” erases the history of this traditional food through disassociating it from its name. The name given to it by its makers. While choosing to call it “Israeli” erases its connection to the very people who have created it and long guarded its tradition and replaces them by the settlers who are actively engaged in this act of erasure (see Gaza). Italians as a people are very proud of their culinary cultural heritage and have worked relentlessly to protect traditional food processes and the artisans that make and guard these traditions. And so to see this complicity, whether deliberate or not, of erasure and appropriation at your restaurant is quite disturbing. I therefore urge you to change the name of this food item and to make sure it is sourced ethically and that its sourcing supports those that have made it and protected it for...

We visited Elidor Patisserie three times during our stay in Bergamo. From the first bite, their commitment to excellence is clear. Every pastry, cake, cheesecake and coffee was delicious. The cheesecake fruiti di bosco was a highlight - creamy yet light, with perfect ripe distinct fruit flavors and nice graham crust. The vegan torta di mela was awesome. Sometimes vegan cake tastes like a compromise - not here! The Giravolta cake was sublime. And the coffee! Robust yet balanced. Perfect! And then the service: We were always treated very kindly. This is one of the best pasticerrie I have ever been to. Thank you to everyone at Elidor and...

Nuova scoperta di altissima qualità in centro a Bergamo. La qualità dei prodotti di pasticceria, unitamente ad una location estremamente gradevole e rilassante, la rendono una vera chicca della città bassa. Ci sono stato per colazione ed ho assaggiato lo scrigno al cioccolato, una delizia! Non vedo l'ora di tornarci e provare altre prelibatezze... C'è una discreta varietà di prodotti, ma si percepisce che la priorità assoluta viene data alla qualità. L'unica piccola critica è relativa al prezzo. Pur riconoscendo la qualità offerta in termini di prodotti e location, ho trovato i prezzi (con servizio al tavolo) davvero troppo elevati, difficilmente giustificabili.

Edit: grazie per la rapida risposta e per la spiegazione. Ci tenevo a precisare che non contesto assolutamente il prezzo dello scrigno (ne ho preso un altro da portar via al giusto prezzo di 2.40€). Come ho scritto nella recensione, faccio un po' fatica a giustificare il prezzo della colazione servita al tavolo (Cappuccino+scrigno a 8€). Detto questo, nessuna polemica, ogni attività ha tutto il diritto di definire i prezzi come preferisce ed in base ai propri costi, poi sta al cliente decidere se andarci oppure no. Ed io sicuramente da...