Today, as the warm summer sun bathes the Italian Riviera in a golden glow, my childhood memories begin to take shape. My parents and I would often visit a dear friend who had a home in Rapallo, a pretty town on the Riviera di Levante. Those were the days of carefree laughter, endless exploration, and giant slices of Recco-style focaccia, enjoyed warm out of the bakery while walking the promenade with my mother. 

In the evenings, we would often find ourselves in Portofino, a place that, at the time, was just another beautiful backdrop to our summer escapades. While my memories of the village itself are somewhat hazy – Rapallo, with its vivid childhood days by the sea, has a more prominent place in my mind – there is one particular evening in Portofino that stands out.