Santamonica In Genova

A truly extraordinary experience. Dishes with unusual combinations and unique flavors that are initially surprising, but then turn out to be incredibly balanced and delicious. You can sense the research, creativity, and quality of the ingredients. Each course was different from the usual and left you curious about the next. Attentive service and a very pleasant atmosphere. A place to try if you want to try new flavors without sacrificing taste.”

Perfect restaurant, perfect location, perfect food, perfect service!!! I was invited by two friends to celebrate my birthday. We spontaneously decided to go to Ristorante Santamonica on a Saturday lunchtime. The welcome was very friendly, even though we hadn't booked. The dishes on the menu showcased Ligurian cuisine with creative ideas, a concept that was perfectly executed. The recommended wines paired beautifully. And to top it all off: the two hours spent there on the terrace were like a vacation.

Another Day in Paradise Phil Collins's title seems written for this place. Here, on the beach of Corso Italia, a stone's throw from the Abbey of San Giuliano, you don't look at the sea: you're in the sea. A rare, authentic location that defines the restaurant's identity from the moment you arrive. The interiors exude a sober and sophisticated elegance, never overbearing, perfectly in tune with the setting and the cuisine. The service is one of its great strengths: professional, knowledgeable, and sincere. Tommaso delivers at the highest level, while Veronica closes the evening with elegant and distinctive cocktails. Andrea and Monica, impeccable hosts, guide the experience with ease. Monica, in particular, is hypnotic and captivating: through her stories, she leads guests on a journey through lands near and far, accompanied by an extraordinary wine cellar, a true extension of the kitchen. In the kitchen, there's an artist. The experience gained at a two-Michelin-star restaurant is evident, but never ostentatious. The menu is contemporary, creative, and bold, based on excellent ingredients and a refined balance of flavors and textures. The signature dish is undoubtedly the handmade wild boar tortelli with hand-caught sea bream dashi: a perfect synthesis of the chef's philosophy. Land and sea, Liguria and Asia, intertwine in a seemingly unthinkable marriage. The sea bream dashi is pure sea that enhances the depth of the meat; the result is an iconic dish, a timeless narrative that transforms the raw ingredients into an experience. The attention to the customer is constant and never banal: from the welcome entrées, to the bread with Normandy butter, to the pre-dessert, the memorable Vermentino and chamomile foam, pure magic. Here, technique rewrites itself, overturning traditional visions and opening new frontiers of pleasure. The porcini mushroom gelato is proof of this: an unusual, surprising, and perfectly coherent interpretation. Also emblematic is the calamari with kefir, bagna cauda, ​​and leek oil: a dish like a musical, a celebration of flavors in which the chef, with a tightrope walker's balance, excites and convinces. A restaurant that doesn't just cook, but also tells stories, seduces, and leaves its mark. A complete, cultured, and profoundly Ligurian experience, capable of looking far ahead.

Directly overlooking the sea on Corso Italia, near the Abbey of San Giuliano, this restaurant benefits from a privileged location that complements a coherent and personal fine dining experience. The atmosphere is elegant, understated, and sophisticated. The dining room is effectively led by Monica, the central figure of the experience: charismatic, authoritative, and naturally empathetic, she imparts rhythm, warmth, and identity to the service. Her expertise in the extensive and well-constructed wine cellar intelligently accompanies the culinary journey, enriching it without ever overwhelming it. The service is fluid, professional, welcoming, and delicately engaging. Tommaso and Veronica are truly talented, rare gems. The cuisine expresses a contemporary vision, supported by confident technique and a clear focus on the finest ingredients. A standout dish, for example, is the handmade wild boar tortelli with hand-caught sea bream dashi, which effectively epitomizes the dialogue between land and sea, Liguria and Asian influences, in a clean, clear, and exciting balance. The experience is enriched by thoughtful details: excellent entrées, quality bread with Normandy butter, and the magical pre-dessert with Vermentino and chamomile. The iconic calamari with kefir, bagna cauda, ​​and leek oil confirms a cuisine where technique and creativity blend to perfection. A place with personality, where kitchen and dining room interact coherently, offering a truly sensory experience. In the kitchen, a chef with experience at a two-Michelin-star restaurant. The dishes are chromatic visions, and upon tasting, you're left enchanted and enraptured; the flavors explode in the mouth in a whirlwind of emotions that opens new frontiers of taste on a never-ending journey. Thanks to Andrea and Monica and the entire team for giving us another wonderful evening. Absolutely fair prices for the quality of the experience. I hope this restaurant gets a star that is not only deserved, but deserved.

I'm really sorry I can't give this restaurant the highest rating because it truly has great potential, but I'm forced to tell the truth after yesterday's experience. Honestly, I've never left a restaurant hungry. The portions were truly ridiculous, even though we ordered from the à la carte menu. You can't even think of ordering à la carte and receiving a tasting menu portion because you feel cheated. Honestly, I applaud the super-kind and professional waiters, because they're not to blame, and I have nothing to criticize about the food, because it was truly good, but you can't spend €70 per person to receive tasting portions. I hope they realize this and adjust their approach, because all it takes is a little common sense to become excellent.

On Friday, March 6th, we had an experience that went beyond a simple dinner. At SantaMonica, conviviality was the true protagonist: a single large table, people meeting for the first time, and that magic that only happens when sharing good food and good wine. 🍷🍽️ It was an unstoppable sensory journey. An ascent of flavors, with delicious dishes and perfect pairings, where each course surpassed the previous, accompanied by simply superb glasses of wine. A heartfelt thank you to all the participants for their wonderful energy, but special thanks go to those who made it all possible: Thanks to Tenuta Borri for their extreme kindness and technical mastery in revealing the soul of their wines. 🍇 Thanks to the Chef for the creativity and care put into every single dish. 🧑🏼‍🍳 And an infinite thank you to Monica, Andrea, and the entire wonderful team at Santamonica. You've created something new, a pleasant atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression and precious memories in each of us. ❤️ Evenings like this remind us that food is the most beautiful bridge between people. 🥂✨

We chose Santamonica to celebrate our wedding, a very small and intimate ceremony, and we couldn't have made a better choice! It's a truly extraordinary restaurant: exquisite, carefully crafted, and surprising dishes, accompanied by impeccable service and a warm, professional welcome. Every detail was carefully considered, and everything far exceeded our expectations. From the very first moment, we knew we were in exceptional hands. Thank you for making this day so special and unforgettable for us. We recommend Santamonica without hesitation to anyone looking for a top-notch gastronomic experience.