This is the first place I've been in Italy where I really see the
focus on food and wine that everyone talks

about when they fondly remember Italy. I am sure part of the reason
we've had mixed success with the food is our budget, as well as our
lack of current guidebook recommendations, etc. But even with a
budget, the Cinque Terre has been GUARANTEED good food, every time.

The pesto is great, the pasta is interesting, the wine is cheap ($15
to share a bottle, even at a nice looking

place.) Some local specialties include:

Trofie pasta - texture is like gnocchi, but longer and thinner
Pesto - much creamier and more delicate than what I've had here
Seafood Risotto - YUM
Baked anchovies with potatoes, tomatoes, sauteed/caramelized onions,
rosemary, and Italian parsley
Raisin wine - eaten after dinner with biscotti

And a word about anchovies - in America, they are to be used sparingly
at best, because they are typically super salty. In the Cinque Terre,
they are actually like little filleted fish. Large like sardines, they
can actually be eaten as a main fish dish. SO GOOD.