La Grotta
Where? La Grotta (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Sunday April 2, 2017
Who With? Me
Food Style? Italian
I'm so tired after walking the whole day and I just want food, and I want it quick so I can catch the sunset of my final day in Cinque Terre. I've gone for the seafood spaghetti with the intent to have a tiramisu for dessert. Probably no alcohol for me today.
Primo Piatto
Spaghetti with mixed seafood
The plate arrives and the food is wrapped in tinfoil. Interesting! I've got seen this done on MKR before and it was a disaster. This however is not too bad. There's a lot of seafood - clams, mussels, prawns, squid - but I wish there was a nice sauce that went with it, especially as the bread is doing nothing by itself. I don't like that I have to peel the prawns too, but I do like they kept the prawn heads in. Definitely the weakest meal I've had in Italy, but it wasn't unenjoyable. Can the tiramisu save the meal?
Dessert
Tiramisu
It's also okay. It's been drowned in so much liquor that the sponge disintegrates in my mouth. But it tastes fine. Not the best way to end my time here, but I've had a good run in Riomaggiore.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:48pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments :: 
Veciu Muin
Where? Veciu Muin (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Saturday April 1, 2017
Who With? Me
Food Style? Italian
Don't ask me to pronounce the name of this restaurant.
It's less than 100m away from my accommodation, and I spent the whole day just chilling out and taking a break since it was a little rainy. I spot a few interesting things on their menu - swordfish! The last time I had swordfish would have probably been in San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf.
Antipasto
Bruschettona pâtéd'olive - large bruschetta with olive pâté
I've got the house white and a large plate of olive pâté bruschetta to start with. The bruschetta isn't as crispy as it should be and in essence it just feels like toast, but the olive pâté is exquisitely salty and nicely seasoned with a sprinkling of herbs.
Secondo Piatto
Pesce Spada alla griglia con rucola e pomodorini - grilled swordfish with rocket and cherry tomatoes
The swordfish comes out. It's tasty and seasoned well, perhaps slightly overcooked, but I love the sautéed red onion on the side. The olive oil, bread, fish and lemon juice combo makes this is a satisfying meal.
Dessert
Bicchierino di Sciacchetra e Cantuccini - Glass of Sciacchetra wine and Tuscan biscuits
I spot the famous Cinque Terre sciacchetra (shah-ket-tra) dessert wine on the menu so that is a definite pick too. Oh my goodness it's good. Not too sweet, has a slight orange peel taste, matches perfectly with the biscotti on the side. It has a memorable golden colour, very reminiscent of the beautiful sunsets that the area is known for. I am well and truly smashed.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:39pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
Il Grottino
Where? Il Grottino (Riomaggiore, Italy) Map
When? Friday March 31, 2017
Who With? Me
Food Style? Italian
It's back to the coast and seafood is on the menu. Riomaggiore is a small town that is mostly just tourists, so I imagine the food here can be hit and miss. Nothing like a bit of food adventuring! I'm not too hungry so I've gone for something simple.
Secondo Piatto
Calamari e Seippie alla Griglia con Insalata Mista - grilled squid and cuttlefish with mixed salad
It is damn tasty. It's well seasoned, perhaps slightly overcooked but the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice on the salad makes this an excellent, simple meal with great ingredients. Just what I needed.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:27pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::