Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Victor wrote on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:54:33 +0100:
> >
> >> By ARIEL DAVID
> >
> >> Associated Press
> >
> >> ROME (AP) - If you are craving a kebab, tandoori chicken or
> >> Peking duck you may go hungry in the small Tuscan city of
> >> Lucca, which has just barred new ethnic restaurants from
> >> opening in its historic medieval center.
> >
> > It's a well-worn attempt to stave off evolution by legislation. It's never
> > worked but they keep on trying. Perhaps they should prescribe genuine
> > medieval food....Good Luck!
> >
> > --
> >
> > James Silverton
> > Potomac, Maryland
>
> Having spent some time in Lucca, I say "good for them". The center if town
> is very historic and it ruins the atmosphere to have some aspects of
> commercialism. There is plenty of space outside the wall that can
> accommodate other types of restaurants. Tourists go to places such as Lucca
> for the history and just walking amongst the buildings takes you back
> hundreds of years in your mind. Sorry, but the all you can eat Chinese
> buffet is like painting a couple of Andy Warhol replicas in the Sistine
> Chapel so as to update it.
>
> You can sit at an outdoor table with your espresso or gelato and Boccherrini
> and Puccini's music fills your mind. It should not be spoiled.

I think they are a bit off the mark. I think the kind of food served is
pretty irrelevant and what they should be focusing on is the far more
common and acceptable historic district architecture and signage
regulations. As long as the exterior of the restaurant is in keeping
with the character of the area, what is served inside isn't relevant.