Just 25 minutes from the villa by scooter, OrtOsteria Renè at Bio Vio in Bastia d’Albenga gave us one of the most memorable dinners we have enjoyed in Liguria.

And we have visited quite a few osterias.

An osteria in name, a ristorante in every detail

The beautiful interior sets the mood, but it is the whole experience that stays with you. Sublime dishes, excellent wines and impeccable service. Everything felt carefully considered, while the atmosphere remained warm and welcoming.

By the end of the evening, we agreed: this was probably the best osteria we have visited so far.

The name suggests something simple and rustic. What arrives at the table is firmly at ristorante level: thoughtful cooking, beautifully balanced flavours and dishes that make you pause after the first bite.

For an evening together

If you are staying at Villa Belvedere del Condor and looking for a romantic culinary evening, this is a place we can wholeheartedly recommend.

Take your time. Enjoy each course. Let dinner become the occasion.

Our verdict? A highlight of our time here, and somewhere we will happily return.

• WhereOrtOsteria Renè, Via Massari 18, Bastia d’Albenga. About 25 minutes from the villa.
• More from the journalCloser to home, there is Trattoria I Fìi de in Moglio, a walk from the villa. Make a day of it with our half-day guide to Albenga, or read about the local grapes in Ligurian wine: Pigato, Vermentino and Rossese.