Sea Salt & Lemon Focaccia, Forno Blu

Pillowy, oily in the best way, dimpled like the sea. Buy two loaves. That first impression set the tone for everything that followed at Genoa, IT — the kind of dish you keep thinking about on the walk home.

“This is exactly why we started rating things side by side.” — Benedict

Benedict came away a firm 4 out of five; Jack, ever the skeptic, landed on 5. Where they split is the whole point — one of us chasing balance, the other chasing a wake-up call — and this plate gave us plenty to argue about.

The lemon question

Bright, insistent citrus cutting cleanly through everything else on the plate: is it the whole point, or one squeeze too far? Depends whether you came for restraint or for a jolt. Either way, it lingers.

Should you go?

If you're anywhere nearby: yes. Ask for the good table, order this, and a second glass before you think you want it.