June 2-3 Genova (Genoa)

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 DAY 1

Genova is a city by the sea, built on steep slopes. Jello legs, but unique and delicious food.



Birthplace of Paganini

Enjoying quality & affordable yogurt on the train to Genova

First, we visited the Galato Museo del Mare - lots of replica ships and we got to go on a submarine.

Model of Christopher Columbus's ship. Genova is Columbus's birthplace.

Looks like the Sydney Opera House!



The submarine's periscope actually works!

Next, we walked to Mercato Orientale Genova (MOG).We passed by a street filled with stores.



THE FOOD:
  • Fried anchovies
  • Fried milks - milk mixed with flour. Both sweet and savory.
  • Eggplant, zucchini, onions stuffed with potato mixture containing sweet peppers among herbs/spices
  • Frittata with potatoes and pesto
  • Spinach pie (pasqualina?) - very crispy crust!
  • Kenyan food - there was a street near the water that appeared to be center of the African community in Genova. 
    • Chapati
    • Na pojo - curry with mung beans and coconut milk and some herb. Savory version of cantonese dessert soup!
    • Kaimati - fried doughnuts dusted in cinnamon.



Then we took a peek at the beaches. It was rocky, but the sea looked calm. There were also swimming pools near the sunbathing areas. You had to pay to get in most places. We also ventured to Boccadasse, a former fishing village.
Palm trees = tropical climate

DAY 2

More walking down the streets. Pies filled with black rice, shops selling boat tools/supplies, a store with lots of typewriters.


BREAKFAST, Italian style - cappuccino and croissant

CAVOUR MODO 21 - best food I've had in Italy so far
View from the restaurant
  • Ravioli filled with branzino and shrimp sauce - very fragrant sauce. Texture of ricotta plus minced fish filling wasn't great.
  • Pansoti (mini ravioli) with veggies, pesto, walnut sauce - first toasty walnut flavor, then light pesto flavor. Creamy sauce - not as thick or as many walnuts as Georgian walnut sauce.
  • Pesto trofie with green beans and potatoes - very fresh and herbaceous pesto sauce. Slight raw garlic flavor in sauce too, some nuts, but not too oily.
  • Ligurian rabbit - best thing ever! Caramelized garlic and olive pulp that gave depth of salt and slight acidity. Complex gamey flavor of the meat, especially for the pieces of skin/fat.




PATISSERIE 918 - great caffe (espresso) and croissant. Other pastries looked good too.

LOCANDO PESCIOLINO - modern Genovese seafood
  • Fried shrimp with slivered almonds
  • Tuna tartare with pineapple and salad, soy & wasabi dressing
  • Fried anchovies with sweet onions - very crispy, onions balanced flavor.
  • Tender poached fish, dressed in olive oil and served with black olives and potatoes - delicious olive oil. Parsley sauce didn't work well.
  • Seafood soup - tomato, basil, olive oil, focaccia croutons
  • Grilled octopus - charred balanced with acidity of tomatoes, pea and mint puree, more potatoes!
  • Fish of the day with guess what? potatoes and sweet roasted zucchini
  • Orange sorbet - tasted like a popsicle, rather than fresh orange. More complex flavor when mixed with white wine!








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