This Streetscapes samples cuisines from across the globe – but all located in a strip mall on Connector Drive. Join us in Florence for fancy fresh fruit, sushi and sake, and gourmet coffee and cakes.
Mi Michoacana Frutería and Platería
Mi Michoacana Fruteria and Plateria is a Mexican dessert shop that relocated from Dixie Highway to Connector Drive. Fruteria translates to fruit shop and plateria to popsicle shop, making this the perfect place to beat the summer heat.
Mi Michoacana is best known for mangonadas – mango sorbet with chamoy, a savory sauce made of fruit, and chili powder. The chamoy and chili powder balance out the sweet mango. Guests can customize by adding other fresh fruits, like strawberries or guava. For sweetness without the spice, the homemade ice cream comes in a variety of rotating flavors. Those wanting something light and refreshing can opt for a paletas de agua, fruit popsicle, or aguas frescas, a water and fruit based drink.
Next time you’re craving a refresher from the big chains, pop in here for a truly refreshing refresher. For a more substantial treat they also have bionicos, a fruit salad topped with crema, granola, coconut and honey. Their frescas con crema, strawberries and cream is the perfect mix of a healthful summer treat (and my personal favorite of all their items).
The space has some seating inside, but it’s also an easy grab-and-go spot with plenty of parking.
Susy’s Cakes
The newest addition to the Florence Center, Susy’s Cakes is one of the best hidden gems in all of Northern Kentucky. They’re so new that it still has no website or social media account. I found them driving around looking for interesting places. I saw the sign advertising coffee and cakes, and I needed no further information to check it out.
The interior is reminiscent of a Parisian cafe, with stunning feminine decor and flowers hanging from light fixtures. The open dining room is adorned in pops of pinks and greens. At first glance the space gave off European vibes, but this is actually a Mexican bakery serving delicious desserts of both Mexican and American cultures.
It’s easy for one to get overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of mouthwatering offerings. The display case is packed full of cheesecakes in every flavor; conchas, a sweet fluffy bread; gelatinas, gelatin cakes with fruit. These and so many other amazing desserts and a candy bar ensures everyone gets a sweet fix. For drinks, there’s a variety of coffees and refreshers.
Kopan Korean Food and Sushi
Switching cuisines, Kopan serves authentic and innovative Korean dishes and Japanese sushi. It’s an unwritten rule that, when visiting a restaurant with rangoons, one must order it. (I don’t make the rules, but this is one I always follow.) Although Kopan’s crab rangoons are most popular, three other choices are available: lobster, shrimp and jalapeno. Gyoza, spring rolls, korean style chicken wings and a huge variety of tempuras make ordering one appetizer nearly impossible.
Traditional entrees range from miso ramen noodles, chicken or pork katsu to kimchi fried rice. One of the most unusual offerings, the Kopan burrito, is a flour tortilla wrapped with grilled bulgogi beef, japchae, mixed vegetable fried rice with house special sauces.
On the sushi side, Kopan really stands out with creative specialty rolls that are hard to replicate elsewhere. Some fun ones include the Drunken Taco roll, filled with spicy tuna, avocado, lettuce and crushed Doritos, and topped with spicy mayo, crushed tortilla chips, jalapeno and cilantro. The Joe Burrow roll, a must order on Bengal Sun-deys, features a baked roll with white tuna, cream cheese, and house special crab and scallop mixture served with eel sauce.
Kopan also offers smaller, classic rolls that are great for pairing with entrees or for those wanting to sample a variety. Kimbob is the ideal option for someone wanting the flavors of Korean food with the similar texture and style of sushi. It’s served in a seaweed roll with Korean steamed rice, fresh vegetables and grilled bulgogi.
For beverages, there are ample offerings in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Sake, plum wine and Korean beers can all be enjoyed either in their indoor dining space or their outside patio.
What to Know If You Go
Mi Michoacana
Location: 8077a Connector Drive, Florence
Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Phone: 859-869-4156
Susy’s Cakes
Location: 8107 Connector Drive, Florence
Hours: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
Kopan Korean Food and Sushi
Location: 8085 Connector Drive, Florence
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website: kopanflorence.com
Phone: 859-282-6681