U Cantin In San colombano certenoli

19/09/2024: We had an amazing experience at Balin. Everything was perfect from the moment we arrived to the very end. This is exactly what you expect when booking a fusion-style dinner. The veranda was beautifully decorated, with cozy lighting, lovely wooden tables, small lights, and plants, which made us feel comfortable right away. The food was well-balanced, using fresh local ingredients with an Italian touch and a lot of Japanese influence in many of the dishes we tried, like dashi broth, gyoza, nori flakes, and bonito sashimi. The chef’s background, with pop-ups in Seoul and Bangkok, was clearly reflected in the food. Each dish was presented beautifully, making the whole meal even more enjoyable. They offer a selection of natural wines, both local and international, all of which were delicious and paired perfectly with each course. The service was friendly, professional, and made us feel at ease throughout the evening. We highly recommend this hidden gem in Sestri Levante!

06/09/2024: Great food but think it’s worth mentioning I left hungry. I never left hungry after having a 6 course tasting menu, usually that is too much. Here the portions are really tiny. So perhaps worth seeing this meal as a treat and not so much as actual dinner.