Vitturin 1860

When I was planning a trip to Italy's Ligurian Coast area, my Genovese friend recommended that I go to the beautiful fishing town of Camogli and to eat at the Ristorante Vitturin in Recco. Thanks to him, I had the most memorable meal from Liguria.

Vitturin's been in business since 1860 and is responsible for inventing many scrumptious dishes we enjoyed today. They pride themselves for such remarkable achievements and the menu, they printed the year next to each dish was invented. A nice touch.

The restaurant's famous specialty is the Foccacia con Fomaggio, a very thin and crispy baked bread filled with a local fresh cheese called Fomaggio Straccino. This is a must have when you dine at Vitturin. You can get Foccacia con Formaggio elsewhere in along the Ligurian coast, but it wouldn't be the same as the ones at Vitturin. We know because we've tasted others. The Foccascia is made to order and it comes out pipping hot and the server cut it up at table side. This is not to be mistaken with the foccacia you get in the US where it is more dougy and dense bread. The Foccacio con Formaggio is more like a thin pizza, crispy, filled with a fresh cheese that is slighly tangy, creamy and yet surprisingly light in texture.

Before all our delicious main course arrive, our server brought over a plate of fried delights including fried gneocchi, that was our first time having fried gneocchi and it was like eating fried clouds of potatoes.

The other dishes we had at Vitturin were a combination grilled seafood platter - an beautiful assorment of seafood including clams, shrimps, langostinos (Italy baby lobsters), mussles and filet of fish. All extremely fresh and very delicious. The Grigliata di Pesce - a white bass covered with thinly sliced potatoes seared to crispy and the meat is still flaky. And for desserts - fresh berries and vanilla gelato to finish the meal.

It was a great recommendation indeed and the meal, services and wine selections were all top notch. On top of that, the prices were reasonable for such amazing quality. We did make a reservation and when we were there, the restaurant filled up with mostly locals. If you were staying in the town of Camogli, you'll need a car to get to Recco, which is only a short 20 minute scenic drive. Well wroth the effort.

Date of Visit: May 15, 2012