Da Leccarsi i Baffi — Restaurant in Genoa

Overall Impression : I think that this place is a really special ristorante in Genova. The service is excellent and the food is well made which, when combined with great value makes it a very good choice for any meal.

Front of House: I dined on a Sunday night early and was lucky to get a table by the door without a reservation. I was seated quickly and with kindness and warmth. As time passed it became quite clear that a reservation is a good idea here since the rest of the restaurant quickly filled with couples and families. The manager (owner?) made a point to greet and shake the hand of all the guests which I thought was an excellent touch. The genuinely affection and dedication of the staff appeared to never let up as tables large and small were taken care of well.

Food: First let me note that the ristorante offers menus in English which is a big help for us non-Italians. The meal started with a surprise “amuse bouche” consisting of two “french fries” made with chickpea flour. I thought that they were super. Next I ordered the “Old Sailor “ which was a bowl of at least 15+ mussels in a white wine broth that could be easily drunk for its flavor. Super tasty and fresh. I then tried the classic “pesto al Genovese” with flat ‘lasagna – style” noodles. It was excellent. I closed with the super rich house specialty dessert due to “Aunt Rosalba”. It was yummy and probably enough for two. Although much of the menu I never ate, I did see other tables enjoying pasta filled with mussels, shrimp, and clams as well as calamari of various types. What I ultimately concluded is that I will return to try more of what they have to offer!

Drinks: I stuck to the house red wine – which was very reasonable and tasty – as well as a limoncello style digestive to cap the night.

Random Observation: While eating, the power went out. But the manager calmly left the restaurant to examine the problem. I am not sure of the cause, but power was restored quickly!

Conclusion : The décor, food, service, and price are all great. Definitely check it out if you have time.

Disclaimer : This review is based on my first visit to the restaurant as...

The Menu seems short, they make a great presentation of the day proposal, we went and ask for food not expecting so much, we were so wrong, it is amazing, the central piece of this small restaurant is food period.

We asked for pasa with pesto, pasta was fresh, home made, very thin you would digest it easily, Pesto has this fine and succulent delicatessen taste, not to much that leaves your mouth with all of it, not so low that you missed the flavor, please ask for this plate.

Then we asked for the catch of the day, olive oil is natural and tasty as it should olives, tomatoes everything just great.

The White House wine supreme and with a great cost.

You need to come, it is not so easy to get to the restaurant and when you arrived a barrel at the entrance has the restaurant name written on it.

Ask for Andrea he gave such a great service. Eat a great...

Bella scelta ! Bella storia !

Quando si dice: "un nome, una garanzia". Ecco un esempio lampante. E con questo potrei anche fermarmi qui ma continuo consigliando vivamente a tutti, non solo ai "foresti" ma soprattutto ai genovesi, di visitare questo grazioso locale nella zona del Porto Antico, proprio di fronte all'ex mercato del pesce. Anche questa una scelta propizia. A gestione "familiare" ma non per questo meno professionale, "Da leccarsi i baffi" è una piacevolissima esperienza. Accogliente, ben arredato, curato nei minimi particolari e molto pulito. Propone una "cucina di casa" con piatti tipicamente liguri con uno sguardo anche a ricette più moderne sia di carne che di pesce e dove anche i ciliaci saranno accontentati. Il menu racconta una bella storia: quella della cuoca Vanessa, titolare dal 2017 assieme al marito Andrea del ristorante, e del suo amore fin da bambina per la cucina e le ricette di casa. Piatti preparati con amore ed attenzione che spaziano da una selezione di antipasti accattivanti - menzione particolare alla Cheasecake di Fassona e al Cappon Magro - ai primi piatti, di pesce o quelli tipicamente genovesi con pesto o salsa di noce. Tra i secondi ottima qualità della carne con cotture azzeccate, Stoccafisso del Baffo che non finiresti mai di mangiarlo e Lumache alla Verazzina, antica ricetta di Borgio Verezzi. Deliziosi anche gli involtini di acciughe che mi hanno ricordato la Sicilia....regione d'origine della famiglia di Vanessa. Ogni giorno fuori menu tre o quattro proposte quali un superbo coniglio alla ligure, pesce freschissimo alla piastra o alla ligure, carciofi quando è la stagione proposti fritti "a rondelle" e non a spicchi. Anche sui dolce non si scherza....avrete l'imbarazzo della scelta. Carta dei vini non ampia ma completa e un vino della casa all'altezza della situazione. Il conto? Ottimo rapporto qualità/spesa, una piacevole sorpresa anche questa. Complimenti a Vanessa e grazie ad Andrea per la sua cortese accoglienza e per il suo gentile servizio in sala. Bravi...