Genova, Italy
During another one of our lovely day trips, my sister and I took a train about two hours south-west of Milan to the sea. With over 1.5 million people in the Genoa expanse, the port city is not only one of the largest cities on the Mediterranean sea, but also the largest harbor in Italy. Needless to say, after hours of walking and adventuring around, you can work up quite the appetite.
For lunch, we stopped at a spot, that is a somewhat hidden, keepsake of the city.
This "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant boasts two floors, both with large communal red and white checkered tables and toothpaste teal colored walls.
The hand written and understated ;) menu.
I ordered the roasted chicken with oven fries. Although the presentation was simple and not the most beautiful I've seen, the flavors and moistness of the chicken was something to combat any 5 star restaurant. The chicken was perfectly salted, with a buttery, soft and crunchy skin, and a deliciously moist interior. Really fresh.
Typically, I am a bottomless pit when I eat, (I have been so fortunate to have been adorned with the appetite of a teenage boy), but the portion was actually enough to satiate me for the rest of the evening (while of course nibbling at my sister's delicious fish dish as well).
Some articles hanging on the wall appraising the food and hospitality of the infamous Maria.
Here was my sister's delicious fish dish. To be honest, I do not recall what type of fish it was, but I really hope to rediscover it some day- it was one of the freshest, most delicate, silky (if that's even okay to use that word to describe fish- I'm going to anyways!) and delicious white fish I have had. The dish also contained boiled potatoes, cilantro, beans and a broth that was layered with various salty and robust flavors. This dish was the kind you eat and chew slowly to let your palette really understand and taste all levels. For my ravenous appetite, this is something that does not happen often- so props to Maria!
Our spot next to the open window, our lifesaver, delivering fresh air to combat the warmth of the day and rising heat from the kitchen below.
My sister enjoying the bread basket- unfortunately I'm gluten intolerant so cannot enjoy the lovely combo of soft interior to crunch exterior of freshly baked Italian bread, but! - my sister did say it was really fantastic.
The understated restaurant had its red and white checkered tablecloths hanging out the window to dry- it doesn't get more old fashioned and Italian than that! Everything really invokes an atmosphere of a Sunday lunch at your Italian nonna's house.
Very content after our homey meal!
One of the things I enjoyed most about this little place, was how inviting the communal atmosphere was. Locals and a few tourists trickled in and were able to enjoy an authentic simple meal with family and friends, share tables with strangers, and relax in the laid back atmosphere.
2 lunch entrees, 2 bubbly waters and 2 coperti (restaurant set tip) = 14 euros. Not bad if you ask me!
Da Maria's is the perfect place if you're looking for authentic and localized Genovese Italian food, a homey atmosphere away from the tourism, and an inexpensive, delicious lunch. A true treasure.
Da Maria's
You can find this gem tucked away down this little alley, at
Vico Testadoro 14 r, Genoa, Italy.
The trattoria is open Monday - Saturday 12:00 - 3:00 pm, and Thursday - Friday 7:00 - 10:00 pm.
Buon appetito!
P.S. Don't forget to check back on the blog this weekend for the full Genoa photo story. :)