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A stroll through the Cinque Terre area
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| If you are one of those people who have always associated Ligurian cuisine exclusively with pesto alla genovese, it's high time you broadened your horizons, because the coastal region of Liguria in North-West Italy, features much more than basil; there are dozens of delicious products just waiting to be savored. |
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Probably the best way to sample the authentic local cuisine and get to know a land that is never far from the sea is to tour the Cinque Terre region. This evocative name, which in Italian literally means 'the Five Lands, refers to a particularly jagged stretch of coastline extending from the promontory of Mesco to the promontory of Montenero, along which are located five picturesque, small fishing villages well worth visiting: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Getting there is no easy matter; apart from the railway, there are not a lot of access routes, just a few paths, practically impassable roads and a regular boat service. This enchanting area is blessed with breathtaking landscapes in which industrious farmers have managed to take advantage of every arable pocket of land, terracing the steep hillsides that drop off into the sea. This is the home of Sciacchetrà, a highly-esteemed white wine, appreciated by gourmets from all over the world, but unfortunately, still little known in Italy itself.
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But let's get back to this region's traditional cuisine, featuring seafood and lots more. Fish lovers will be delighted with the many small restaurants dotting the landscape of the Cinque Terre region; they feature the best of Ligurian cuisine, starting with the "gianchetti", tiny fish served piping hot, fresh from the deep fryer. Their distinctive flavor goes perfectly with a few drops of traditional balsamic vinegar.
Be sure you don't miss the fish soups as well as the local focaccia breads (beginning with the cheese focaccia), amply covered in the classic texts of Ligurian cuisine. We would also like to mention the traditional Easter cake, the farinata (a wheatmeal porridge), stuffed onions and other delicacies that definitely should be sampled, even if your stay is just a short one. |
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| The time of year to visit Cinque Terre is definitely the spring, when the coastline bursts to life with the colors and fragrances of the lush Mediterranean vegetation found in this corner of the world. So strap on your backpack and hit the trail. And don't worry about pesto. It's easy to find in this area, as well. Try it with a dish of vegetable Lasagna. |
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 Miky Ristorante
Via Fegina, 104
Monterosso al mare
19016 SP
tel 0187.817608
e-mail: miky@ristorantemiky.it
Closed: Tuesday s
Seating capacity: 120
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