Scrumpdillyicious: La Torre Numana: Seafood on the Riviera del Cornero

With spectacular views over the Adriatic and the Riviera del Cornero, La Torre Numana is considered to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Le Marche. Perched on a hillside in the the historic centre of Sirola, La Torre Numana is a seafood paradise. Sleek and modern, with a stylish white interior punctuated with lime green and orange glassware, the well-spaced tables are set very simply with refined white linens, classic wine stems and contemporary Italian furnishings — the perfect setting for a backdrop of breathtaking sea views and Chef Paolo Giocchini's sumptuous cuisine highlighting the local seafood and regional specialties of Le Marche. The first to arrive the evening we dined at La Torre Numana, we were greeted by dining manager Piero Perini and seated at the restaurant's prime corner table with sensational sunset views of the Adriatic unfolding in front of us.

Starting with two glasses of sparkling Verdicchio Metodo Classico Garofoli, we toasted our friend Eva who recommended La Torre, and perused the menu for a pescatorean primi and secondi as well as a local Verdicchio to compliment our seafood feast. We began with a Crostini of Red Mullet with eggplant parmigiana and artfully presented Baccala Manteca, creamed cod with red beets, peppers and Cantabrian anchovies, followed by Almond Crusted Turbot with blanched spinach, lima bean sauce, pineapple and peppers, and spectacular Frittura dell'Adriatico, a tower of local tempura fried mixed seafood and organic vegetables — magnifico! Recently addicted to Le Marche's creamy hazelnut dessert, we shared a Nocciola Cremoso con crumble, gelato, biscotto, caramello salato e granella di nocciola and finished with an espresso and macchiato, before our one hour drive up the Adriatic coast back to Castello di Monterado.