San Martino Gastronomia — Restaurant in Monterosso al Mare

This was a real hidden gem (though several hundred other people found it so maybe not so hidden! 😉). It is kind of tucked out of the way though. The pasta here is delicious. The caprese salad as a starter was wonderfully simple but bounisimo! The right balance of ripeness of tomato and mild saltiness of fresh mozzarella. Drizzle just a splash of balsamic across it though to get the real lunch. The trofie q/ basil pesto was so unadulterated it was hard to believe the complexities that came though as I took each bite. It just grew and grew. Very mild at start but flavor pops the more you eat. The lasagna was also good ..not you typical tomato sauce slathered style you see back in US. this was creamy and just the right amount of tomato sauce to complement. The meat was not overly spicy or under either. Again a subtle layered flavor! Last but not least, the red table wine they use was really a ⭐. It was served simply, and the called it a 'natural wine' I think maybe implying organic, but not sure. Regardless it was not acidic at all and was balanced wet/dry with black currant and rasperry-ish undertones as well as little spiciness in there. The staff was absolutely fantastic and we're running constantly to keep up! Don't miss...

This is a small restaurant in the heart of Monterosso al Mare. If you don’t see the sign with the menu (pictured), you might miss it altogether. It has room for about 15 people (7 groups) outside and maybe another 8 inside (2 groups).

They open around noon and if you’re looking to eat, it’s best to come about 5 minutes early and just wait for them to setup. There were groups that were told 10 mins, and they went on their way, came back, and the place was packed. Just wait and you’ll be guaranteed to get a spot.

Is it worth it?

Yes. The pasta is freshly made and on point. Every ingredient is fresh, the pesto we had was delicious, and the lasagne with meat sauce was exactly that, but not that North American style where the sauce is too sweet. It’s perfect.

Service was top notch, though I feel bad for the groups that left and came back. At the same time, they don’t do reservations, so if you leave you’re taking that risk. There isn’t much in terms of people watching as the narrow street here isn’t as busy.

There isn’t a view either so most people eat and leave. The average dining time is probably 45 mins to an hour. Then you can go on your way and explore the rest of the city.

Note: they do not serve...

Our recent visit to the San Martino Gastronomy left much to be desired. The dishes we ordered, including pasta and lasagna, had an average taste that failed to impress. The portions were noticeably small, leaving us unsatisfied.

What stood out the most was the lack of anything truly special about the place. The overall experience felt rather ordinary and didn't live up to our expectations. Additionally, the pricing was on the expensive side considering the underwhelming culinary experience.

One notable drawback was the limited vegetarian-friendly options. The focus of the menu seemed to heavily lean towards seafood, making it challenging for those seeking vegetarian alternatives. This lack of variety was a letdown for non-seafood enthusiasts.

Another downside was the wait for seating during lunch hours. The lack of available seating caused an unnecessary delay and affected the overall dining experience.

With average taste, small portions, a lack of vegetarian-friendly options, and a bit on the expensive side, it fell short of being a standout dining destination. There are likely better options available for those seeking a more satisfying...