An Italian Riviera feast {dinner for 13}

According to my amazing hosts in Italy... a table set for 13 is bad luck so there is always a 14th place set. Let me set the scene of a dinner party I had the utmost pleasure of attending a month ago. Had to share! My friend Monica's bff Fabia invited me to her Mama's home for dinner, touting her as the Italian Riviera's version of Martha Stewart. We were greeted by an enormous gate on a winding road above the sea in Bordighera about 1 hour from my home. Impressive to say the least!At the Villa (perched precariously on a cliff) we were greeted by Fabia's Mama and Papa. A charming and beautiful couple who wrapped me in their arms and planted 1 kiss on each cheek. I knew it was going to be a great night. Fabia did not oversell her Mama's talents in the kitchen. I can honestly say I have never eaten so well on the Riviera to date.Behind the house there is an enormous garden where all the fresh ingredients in each and every dish came from, including the olive oil and the eggs and all the fresh fruit. Fabia's Mama, Alda Devia is coming out with her own cookbook this fall published by Allemandi {title to be determined}. She's a genius with simple ingredients and hosting is definitely her calling Alda is a small, beautiful woman who has the elegance of Nancy Reagan and the the energy of the energizer bunny. The secret of great entertaining is no secret to her, that's for sure.We started on the terrace and as people arrived tiny fried fish straight from the Ligurian coast were served up on paper napkins (just like eating popcorn but so much better). The prosecco was flowing into an army of delicate champagne glasses.We finally sat down at a very long and elegantly set table in the garden. The table was a vision to behold... so simple, so fantastic, so Italian.The Menu:Poached Salmon with fresh basil from the garden with family olive oil, and plenty of bread to soak up the excess.Shrimp with fresh tomatoes from the garden, basil, shaved red onion, and more olive oil. The shrimp was cooked to perfection.Homemade Gnocchi with green beans from the garden and fresh basil pesto. Heaven! {fun fact: Gnocchi in slang in Italian means "beautiful boy", it's a bit off color}Swordfish, sliced thinly, "piccata style" with sauteed mushrooms. Fantastic, subtle flavors and without lemon, which I found to be an interesting choice.Vanilla Gelato with fruit from the fruit trees and bushes on the property. In season black berries, peaches, plums, and strawberries.Balckberry Crostata, with a melt in your mouth crust. It was beautiful.All served with a crisp white wine from the region and followed by sweet strong espresso.Simple, seasonal, and divine! I can't thank the Devia family enough. Grazie Mille, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a signed copy of Alda's cookbook, it will surely have an honored place in my cucina.