Rivaro, Genoa

We found this restaurant to be a real gem. The decor was not very much to my taste, but certainly fit in well with the traditional Ligurian food served at this delightful establishment. I had the most amazing seafood risotto: the ingredients were so fresh, you could literally smell the sea! Unfortunately, I don't recall the names of the dishes my partner opted for, but she had pasta as a starter with pesto genovese: one really has to try it to believe how delicious it was. In fact, we'd both be quite happy to return to Italy just to try that dish again. As a main course, she had anchovies served on bread soaked in fish broth and tomatoes. That was quite nice too but not quite on a par with the pesto and the risotto. The staff were very friendly and chirpy, and more than happy to explain every plate on the menu: the ingredients, the preparation, the history. As the prices were quite reasonable too and the location very central just off the palazzo-lined Via Garibaldi, we can't recommend this restaurant highly enough.