Portofino

A glass of wine, a candle flame dancing to the music of soft breeze, an almost surreal frame of the sunset beyond a bustling harbour- a meal at Portofino can leave more than just your taste buds satisfied.

Eating out is almost inevitable when holidaying in Portofino. You would not want to trade soaking up the vibrancy exuded for a quiet home- cooked meal while in Portofino. In fact, if you are visiting the port during spring, be sure to reserve in advance lest you are left picnicking with your goody basket by the bay (which may not be such a bad idea after all, not in Portofino). Locals swear that for the finest views over the harbour, ensure you reserve a table at the Hotel Splendido’s La Terrazza restaurant located on the hillside, outside the centre of the village.

Well, what can you expect whilst on a gastronomical tour of Portofino? Portofino gastronomy is predominantly traditional Mediterranean cooking, which translates into a number of simple ingredients that may lack character in isolation, but the amalgamation can be rather dynamic.
Italian pizzas and pastas have created a mark for itself in the world of culinary. Undoubtedly, olive oil creates the base for most of Italian cooking. One of the most popular sauces being pesto, a sauce made of basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.

It might be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Italian cuisine, to avoid any surprises that may be ‘dished out’. Be sure to feast on the varieties of stuffed olives ranging from exotic meats to herbs to cheese.
You will encounter a lot of mushrooms, pine nuts, walnuts and lots of herbs during your stay in Portofino or Italy at large.

If a gastronomical adventure is what you crave, Portofino will not let you down.

Written for Portofino.com by Nicola