Night & Day
Anna Blackburn
Hi, my name is Anna Blackburn. I am from Midwest City, Oklahoma, and I am a senior majoring in public relations with a minor in social justice. Poke bowls are one of my favorite foods, so when I discovered “I Poke You” in Arezzo, I knew I had to check it out!
An Unexpected Delight; Discovering Poke in Arezzo
Before I left for Italy, I found the most delicious poke bowl place in downtown Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, it was 40 minutes away from my home and one of the very few poke restaurants in the area. Since poke was few and far between in the streets of Oklahoma, I assumed it had to be non-existent in Italy. Surprisingly, that was not the case. I was thrilled to learn that Arezzo was full of multiple poke bowl spots.
The first poke spot I discovered in Arezzo was “I Poke You.” Seeing it listed on our OUA meal vouchers, I knew I had to try it. Walking into the quaint lunch spot, I was excited thinking back to the poke bowls I had while at home. The ambiance was relaxed, and the staff was kind.
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When trying to check the ingredient boxes on the paper menu, I found myself struggling. The menu was in Italian. I pulled out my Google Translate and began ordering my bowl, filling it with all the necessary ingredients for a combination of amazing flavors. I started with a base of lettuce and then moved on to salmon and tuna for a high-protein option.
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For the toppings, I would recommend going with the staples of edamame for a light crunch, and avocado for a creamy add-on. To top it all off, I added spicy mayo, salty teriyaki sauce, dried seaweed and crunchy onion. Satisfied with my choices, I patiently awaited my bowl.
Taking the first bite was the most delightful surprise. Each ingredient was full of flavor and provided a different texture and taste. I was not sure how the bowl was going to be. Is it going to taste like the ones at home? Did I pick the right ingredients? All these questions flooded my mind, but the bowl was everything I hoped it would be. To conclude my experience at I Poke You, it was a perfectly light meal filled with unique flavors that made for an overall exciting adventure in Arezzo.