Antipasto a Cinque Terre, Italia

My first travel post. I take this seriously, because if you know me, you know how much I love to travel. I wish I had more money and more time off of work to see more of this beautiful world. There are many people out there who love to travel, but for me, the food in the area is just as important- food and traveling go hand in hand for me. I not only research the country/city I am visiting, including where to stay and what to see and do, but I research the food in the area just as much. I want to know what they are known for and where the best places to eat good, local food are. I want to eat where the locals eat. 

Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

This past Spring, my husband and I traveled to Italy for two weeks for our dear friends, Meredith and Kirk's wedding in Florence, Italy. (Kim and Kanye got married there a week later- posers.) There will be posts in the future on the food and experience in Florence, but today I am concentrating on Cinque Terre. 

For those of you who don't know, Cinque Terre is on the coast of the Italian Riviera, facing the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline is made up of 5 villages that share a hiking path: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. 

View of all five villages from Monterosso al Mare

Meredith and Kirk in Monterosso

Will and I traveled on our own for half of the trip and met up with friends for the other half. Cinque Terre was our meeting spot for a group of friends, including the bride and groom. (Who else travels around Europe days before their own wedding?!) 

Antipasto from Da eraldo

We stayed in Monterosso (the northernmost village) where we arrived a day ahead of everyone to do our own thing, which including making a stop at Da eraldo. I had picked out this restaurant months before leaving for Italy, and it was a must to make a stop here for the antipasto. We decided to head there for dinner!

But first, our beach day!

Lunch- Trofie al pesto and accuighe (anchovies), three ways

Cinque Terre is in the Liguria region of Italy. It is the home of pesto, as the basil, the base of pesto, really likes the temperate Ligurian climate. Locals eat pesto over trofie (a local pasta pictured above).

Anchovies are a local specialty in Cinque Terre and taste way better than they do in America. They aren't as harsh and salty. I really enjoyed the anchovies on the far right.

The charming streets of Monterosso on our way to Da eraldo

We met up with our friends, Ashley and Matt at Da Eraldo - They were visiting from London

Roasted eggplant, mushroom, zucchini, red peppers
arugula, fresh pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella and other cheeses
Salami, prosciutto, mortadella and other meats

 The antipasto was served with these fresh baked flatbreads so we made open faced sandwiches filled with everything below. It was incredible and something that will never be replicated. This is my Heaven right here.

Everyone arrived later in the evening and we had a fun night out all together

 The following morning Will and I got up early (as always- we are incapable of sleeping in) and started the hike along the five villages of Cinque Terre.

There is a trail that connects all five villages but there were torrential rains causing floods and mudslides in 2011, causing damages to the villages and the trail. They still have not made a full recovery so only two of the trails were open: Monterosso --> Vernazza and the very end of the trail leading into Riomaggiore. There is a train linking all 5 of the villages, so this is a good alternative (and a quick way to get around).


We began the morning with some focaccia, which also originates in Liguria. Focaccia is a flat bread with salt and olive oil, which can be served plain or with a variety of toppings. This one had roasted tomatoes and olives- amazing. It was nothing like the focaccia we've had in America. I wish we could find somewhere that can bake it like this was. Until then, we will continue to dream about it.

Leaving Monterosso for the hike!

The view in between Monterosso and Vernazza

We made it to Vernazza!

The villages are so unique, colorful and beautiful

Walking the streets of Vernazza before we hopped the train to the others

Our second favorite village was Riomaggiore, the southernmost village

The beautiful Riomaggiore

 Back in Monterosso, we stopped again at our favorite place to get focaccia, Il Massimo della Focaccia. This sandwich sounds so simple : focaccia with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella, but it packed so much flavor. Will and I couldn't stop buying them. This was served on the plain focaccia but the salt and olive oil on the bread created a flavor that is indescribable. 

Post-hike beach day with all of our friends
Beach day pictures to be shared in another post :)

Our second and last trip to share an antipasto platter with Mike and Kaley at Da eraldo before
dinner with everyone in Vernazza

 If you go to Cinque Terre, the antipasto platter at Da eraldo is a must! The owner and her daughter are so kind and accommodating, and they make a fierce platter which was the best we had in all of Italy. Cinque Terre is a special region in Italy and experiencing it with Will and our friends is something that I will remember forever.