Zio Frenk - BORDIGHERA

If you are in Northwest Italy or SouthEast France, this is the place for you to get a fabulous Italian dining experience and it is easy to find! The Bordighera train station is a 10-minute train ride from Venitmiglia (Ventmille). The train station opens out onto a plaza, and when you look to the right, you will see La Vie en Rose Bistrot. A new (as of last December) restaurant where you can get a spectacular meal. The cuisine is inventive with deep Italian and French roots. I have tried the cozze (mussels) and a scampi (two the size of a small lobster) and clam pasta dish as well as the octopus and potato salad and borage raviloi. All are great and the appetizers are magnificent, such as polenta with confit of asparagus and a wonderful mix of poached and seasoned calamari served on a sea shell. The wine list is good and reasonable, the decor is tasteful, both indoors and out. Live entertainment is offered on week ends by a pianist that plays softly enough for you to enjoy your conversation and loud enough to recognize the repertoire of standard melodies. After a fabulous meal here, you can go through a pedestrian underpass by the station and stroll on the Lungomare for a beautiful sea view. Trains run in both directions many times a day and schedules can be seen on the internet. If you are driving, all maps show where the train station is and there is parking in the plaza. Don't miss this one, it's really great and a perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening in Italy.