Ligurian cuisine is similar to Piemontese, delicious dishes prepared from fresh ingredients with not a hint of spaghetti Bolognese, meatballs or lasagne. Most traditional Ligurian restaurants offer starters (antipasti), which normally consist of a variety of small dishes such as roast peppers, salami, stuffed courgettes, Parma ham, aubergines etc. Then to follow a pasta dish (Primo piatto), the most popular is trofie al pesto, which is Liguria's own pasta with its famous pesto sauce. Next (secondo piatto) is a choice of rabbit (my favourite cooked in wine and herbs), roast veal, wild boar stew, cima alla Genovese (A thin slice of veal taken from the animals stomach, sewn up on two sides to form a pocket, then stuffed with herbs, carrots, marjoram, eggs, cheese and offal, served cold. For desert if you can manage it, an assortment of semi-freddos and ice creams.

Having spent many years in Liguria and eating in too numerous restaurants too mention, having read the guidebooks of where to eat and being bitterly disappointed. I would like to let people know about some of the best restaurants near Savona, which have been consistently good, many off the beaten track but well worth the visit! Most recommended by our good friends and locals Mauro and Enza

My favourite is Locanda della Nonna in Ellera a few miles inland from Albisola Superiore, this is a family run restaurant with excellent food and service, there is no menu you will be served with a selection of antipasti, given a choice of 3 pasta dishes and 5 main courses. Everything is superb, but the favourite is the homemade 'fior di latte' ice cream with a choice of chocolate or cherry sauce.
Via Rosselli N. 29, Ellera, Tel 019 49009

Another favourite is Ristorante da Tina; this is situated on the outskirts of Savona in a town called Quiliano. This restaurant gives you 3 choices of antipasti, 2 choices of pasta and 3 choices of main course; yet again divine home made food including the pasta. This restaurant is very busy lunch and dinner you need to book.
Piazza Caduti Partigiani 21, Quiliano. Tel 019 887116

If you visit Liguria you have to try 'Farinata' it is a very thin cooked layer of chickpea flour, Liguria olive oil and water. Traditionally baked in a wood fired oven in an artisan 'testo' a wide copper roasting dish. The white farinata made with wheat flour is normally flavoured with onion, sausages, rosemary or artichokes. The best place I have eaten farinata is in Albissola Marina, 5 mins from Savona at a family run restaurant called 'La Nicchia' where it is offered as a starter, there are always queues for this eating spot so you once again need to book.
Via Matteo Repetto 102, Albissola Marina. Tel 019 488555

Oddera is another family run restaurant in Mioglia 30mins inland from Savona. They are on the border of Liguria and Piemonte and strictly are Piemontese but well worth the visit, typical piemontese food, various antipasti, and a choice of 3 pastas, 4 main courses. My favourite dessert is Bonet a cold chocolate pudding made with crushed amaretti biscuits and brandy, to die for!!

Buon Appetito!! : Clare Shipston
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