Anybody got any recommendations for a day out in Italy apart from the usual S.Remo/Ventimiglia run. Looking for a hidden jewel to explore with a lovely little restaurant for lunch for some proper Italian homely cooking.

Any secrets to reveal?

Thanks...................

Dolce aqua 7 km from Bordighra beautiful bridge painted by Monet or the Principality of Seborga.

If you want a nice day with a walk on the seaside with no cars and with a nice restaurant, stay on the motorway, pass SanRemo, at around 12 kms you'll find the exit for Arma di Taggia. Take it, go down to the Via Aurelia where, close to the seaside, you'll have the choice between going back to S. Remo or to Imperia. Choose the left turn - Imperia - At around 100 metres on your right, you'll find a tunnel going to the seaside (lungomare). Park your car and take the path on the seaside, remarkable because no cars and you'll reach a little center on the sea, stop for an aperitive outside the 1st bar near the church (cheap and with a lot of little nibbles), then continue on the seaside - now not anymore a path but a road with cars, 150/200 metres from the bar on your left you'll see the hotel-restaurant Svizzera ( Switzerland).
Unexpensive - a whole grilled sole for 15 euro - tables are outside when possible, it's quiet, no market, only locals, heaven!
And then you'll go back the same way so you can digest and feel like you spent a wonderful day out in Italy, far away from the crowds!

Contact for this restaurant - although they can speak a bit of French but no English at all - 039 18443152.

Hope you'll enjoy,
Cheers,
Max

Thanks for all the replies. Have also done a bit of research and it seems that one highly rated restaurant is Apricale Da Delio - in the village of Apricale just after Dolce Aqua. Have looked at the website which does not do the restaurant any real favours but judging by reviews the food is excellent.

Avoid the TAT market in San Remo BUT go to the daily food market, fabulous! Then head 7 k along the route national towards Gene and turn off for Bussana Veccia, a hill top village destroyed by an earthquake in the 19C and populated in the 1960s by artists a unique visit. Drive as far along as possible, turn in turning zone and park, no cars in village. eat at the Osteria. Or eat in Bordighera, drive down to big parking area on right and eat at the restaurant just across from parking , amazing risottos!

Avoid the TAT market in San Remo BUT go to the daily food market, fabulous! Then head 7 k along the route national towards Gene and turn off for Bussana Veccia, a hill top village destroyed by an earthquake in the 19C and populated in the 1960s by artists a unique visit. Drive as far along as possible, turn in turning zone and park, no cars in village. eat at the Osteria. Or eat in Bordighera, drive down to big parking area on right and eat at the restaurant just across from parking , amazing risottos!

I agree with milady, but I would honestly avoid San Remo all together. It's pretty much a dump until you get well past the San Remo area. Some of the small villages near the French border are OK, but no more than OK.. Da Delio is very good, I have eaten there often, and Apricale is one of the better, less tatty villages.