Il Genovese — Restaurant in Genoa

This was a very disappointing experience. I am not a person who's ever left any review of a place (let alone a one star) , and being that I am, myself a restaurant owner- I was more than hesitant to give such a negative review. I know it's difficult on a business when this happens, but I want to clearly state that I am not biased or being overly critical. I truly wanted to love this place. A friend booked for me, a friend who is also in the food business and who is himself Italian. From the moment we walked in we were treated carelessly. They did not know about our reservation (or didn't care) and we were cattle called upstairs with a bunch of others who had been waiting without reservations. Before we even sat down or were given menus, our server asked us if we were ready to order. When we said we needed to look at a menu she gladly brought us one, but when we asked to order wine she simply turned over the menu and showed us the house wines. (We later found out after being dissatisfied with the house white, that they do in fact have a wine list). Our next interactions were met with confusion by the staff (this was not a language barrier, they all spoke perfect English)- this was a service issue. We no longer saw our first server, only a new younger kid, who seemed very confused. Everyone has had rough nights (or first nights) in restaurants.. but he asked us if we had ordered the first course (which we had been waiting for for some time) and which was then brought to us cold (it was a plate of mixed fried foods, the last thing you want to eat at room temperature). I will say to the credit of a different server (the one who helped us find a wine list) -- that they DID re-fire our first course and it came out hot, but I'm fairly certain they just re-dropped it into the fryer to reheat it, as everything had a toughness to it that I know as chef comes from doing that.. not to mention the things they are known for (the pesto for example) didn't seem to be made with care or love, it all felt mass produced and meant to hurry tourists (and maybe locals) in and out. Each course was underwhelming, and didn't show attention to detail. We had better pesto in Milan, and as well in another restaurant in Genoa. Their pesto here is somewhat Smokey, as if it's made with cacciocavello or another sort of Smokey cheese, and just lacked punch and balance. The best thing We ate here were the anchovies with butter on toast, which is sad since they don't even make that in house. In all, the reason for my review is that there was a huge line outside, lots of tourists Acting like sheep, and all believing all the positive reviews. My husband and I are both long time veterans of the food and wine industry, and though we did have some redemption in the form of one attentive server, I think when a place rests on their laurels and expects people to just line up and follow along- they should be called out. There are lots and lots of other places who will care about you more when you dine, and who will attend more to the foods they are making than this place does. Again, I don't take this lightly, but ignore the line and head down the block (anywhere probably) and you'll feel...

I have visited many countries, and been to many restaurants, and this was by far the worst experience I have had.

I came to this restaurant after receiving a glowing recommendation for it from a friend who came 3 years ago.

Something drastic must have changed in the past 3 years because the food & the service were awful. The options on the menu were poor and limited in range.

We first asked for some bread, which ended up being stale and tough, and nothing was brought along-side it (no pesto, no olive oil, no balsamic etc). The tables beside us had been given oil/ pesto/ balsamic with their bread so we asked for some. The waiter said he would bring it and he never did, even after we asked a second time.

When the food arrived it was cold, and no wonder - I watched servers take the food from plastic plates brought from the kitchen and plop the food onto ceramic ones to serve.

The pesto pasta that there are such raving reviews about was bland. The gnocchi was similarly tasteless.

We also had the meatballs, which were fine, and the sauce was nice - but who serves only three meatballs with nothing on the side for €14… The waiter asked if we would like the meatballs with potatoes or salad, which at the time we thought was included, but we ended up being charged an extra €6 for a salad that had no glaze, no sauce, and again, no taste. It was a bowl with some roughly chopped lettuce, tomato, and carrot.

Don’t be fooled by the other reviews and nice outdoor seating. I’m sure there are plenty of other restaurants in Genoa that are more worthy of your business.

EDIT TO RESPONDER: If the food was delicious I would have no issue with a small menu, or the portions. I am European, and I have dined in many cities in Italy, and most countries in Europe. I did not expect gourmet food, but I did expect better than the food and the service that we received.

Also, no pesto was brought to our table with the bread. On your menu it says bread served with oil and vinegar. That is why we...

This is a place I would not return to. The food was ok, with very flat flavors and presentation, nothing extraordinary. The dishes tasted good but nothing wow that made me want to return. The downtown location has a nice terrace in Piazza Colombo to enjoy a nice day…. But I don't know if it's really worth returning just for the place because the food is not worth it. I really expected more from this place that is acclaimed and recommended to try the best and authentic food of Genoa and Liguria. They should work more on providing better food and service, (the servers don't even know how to explain what the dishes had!). If I ever come back I my would only be to enjoy an aperitivo with the selection of Ligurian cheese (they were really good, but they didn’t explain to us what cheeses they were. 😕

Dear Genovese, I know exactly what a trattoria is, I have been traveling and visiting different trattorias and types of restaurants for many years. Because of your rude and not very open response to feedback, I now understand the reason for tour poor service and unextraordinary food. There is no need to be a 5-star restaurant, with Michelin stars or a master chef as you call it, to provide good, tasty and visually pleasing food and service, especially in a place as nice as the plaza where you have...