Suggestions for lunch and dinner in Liguria (the part that's near the French border).

[RCC]

We're spending a few days based in Eze (Cote d'Azur) and we'll be doing cross-border day drives to San Remo, Dolceaqua, Bordhigera, Ventimilia, or any other are that you may point us to, provided that it is within 1 hour drive to/from Eze.

Looking for suggestions on good foodie spots/destinations. Could be a trattoria, a food stall, a wine bar or a market to buy foodie items like cheeses/cold cuts/prepared foods/wines.

Thanks.

[RCC]

Just a quick follow-up.

We had a very good lunches at La Campanna da Baci in Apricale and Le Mirazur in Menton about 3 weeks ago. I'll post my notes as soon as I get organized.
I'd like to thank everybody for the recommendations/suggestions.

[whs]

Looking forward to your report!

[whs]

We'll be in Apricale this summer--second visit. La Capanna di Baci is a wonderful spot for a long lunch. Alex, the owner, has opened a beer place next door--locally produced. La Favorita was OK, but lacked soul. On the coast, in Ospedaletti, there was a terrific restaurant connected to one of the bathing spots--the owner/cook went up into the hills and picked fresh porcini for an amazing tagliatelli dish. The fritto misto was superb. We'll definitely try it again. You are very near France--in Menton, the restaurant to visit is Mirazur. Great gelato in Dolceacqua!

[RCC]

Thanks. Appreciate the suggestions. I've heard of La Mirazur and it's now on the radar.
Apricale is on our to visit list and La Campanna da Baci looks like the place to be.

[jen kalb]

This area is somewhat populated on our restaurant page
http://www.chow.com/search?query=&...

with places in and near Dolceacqua and Bordighera - check back in a couple weeks and it will be more complete Interesting that the Italian guides and Michelin have different picks in this border area. For example, La Molinella near Apricale has a Slowfood Snail but is unmentioned in Michelin

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La Molinella
Regione Molinella,Via Roma,60, Isolabona, Liguria 18035, IT

Magiarge
Piazza Padre Giacomo Viale, Bordighera, Liguria 18012, IT

La Playa
Via XX Settembre, 153, Ospedaletti, Liguria 18014, IT

Il Tempo Retrovato aka Osteria dell'Acque Dolce
Via Patrioti Martiri,33, Dolceacqua Imperia, Liguria 18035, IT

A Viassa
Via Liberazione, 13, Dolceacqua, Liguria 18035, IT

La Cicala
Bordighera Alta, Via Lunga, 16, Bordighera, Liguria 18012, IT

[jen kalb]

great post, adding links

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La Favorita
località Richelmo, Apricale, Liguria 18035, IT

[RCC]

Just made our lunch reservation and we're going for La Mirazur at Menton onThursday next week. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posting the restaurant's url, as well.

http://www.maurocolagreco.com/home

[barberinibee]

For foodie items like locally produced cheeses, olive oil, wine and unique foodie dishes and itineraries, I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of David Downie's Food and Wine of the Italian Riviera. It has a couple of one day gastronomic trips into the area around Dolceacqua, and innumerable eatery and farm recommendations.

Also, Fred Plotkin is an excellent guide to Liguria, and his book is a great travel investment. You can read him here on the San Remo market:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010...

By the way, in case you end up Googling, spellings are Dolceacqua, Bordighera, Ventimiglia. If you go to Dolceacqua, you should continue up the road to Apricale as well. I enjoyed a simple dinner at La Favorita across the hlll from Apricale some years ago, but have no recent recommendations -- other than you get Downie's book and that you get up into the hills, not just stick to the coast.

[RCC]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look them up. No excuse on my part for having the wrong spellings of the towns, even when google will correct them for me.