ROCK STAR TREATMENT: Lunchtime on the Uradome Coast, knowing that this place had been closed for New Year holiday and was re-opening the same day we were driving through; knowing it was recommended by Michelin; knowing that we had no reservation – we rocked up anyway and were treated like super stars: what’s not to love.
D&D INDULGENCE: They almost apologised for only having a 6 course set menu, which of course we fully embraced! Al Mare pride themselves on everything being locally grown or caught. The bread arrived with “explosive” butter (I think Google Translate meant “impressive” but either way, it was devilishly good) an Italian leafy salad, red squid carpaccio with the finest shaving of cauliflower and a sauce that sent our mouths to heaven, a simple but delicious pasta dish of shellfish with beef bone fat, then a choice of beef cheek or fish for mains before dessert and coffee.
Wines by the glass included two Japanese grape varieties made by local producer Hojyo Wines, Koshu and Muscat Bailey A. I had to try them both! And a glass of Italian Malvasia by Azienda Agricola Pinci (from the Lazio region about an hour south of Rome), which matched the flavours of this menu really well. The food was superb, especially the red squid dish which is now on our “what to have for a last supper” list. An excellent lunch.
WOW FACTOR: for those in the know (i.e. from Melbourne in Australia!) Al Mare was like transporting Donovan’s restaurant to this very spot in Japan except this time, there was snow on the balcony overlooking the beach! We know it’s common in many places in the world, but for us having snow meet the sand, with the ocean on one side and snow capped mountains on the other – sitting in a stunning restaurant of timber and glass where you least expect it – and then get served an incredible degustation menu – well it was beyond belief and utterly delectable!
Al Mare Italian Restaurant
a. 岩美町陸上34 Iwami-gun, Tottori, Japan 681-0011
Denise McCann is a global winepreneur having travelled to over 30 countries in as many years. Currently living in Tokyo after a 4-year stint in Singapore, purveying the culture, sights, sounds and tastes (and tipples) of the internationally inspired orient with her husband, Patrick.
They describe themselves as wine connoisseurs, restaurant gourmands, art lovers and gallivanters! They own and manage a luxury holiday retreat in wine country In Victoria, Australia called TS Valley Villa Luxury Retreat.
Denise seeks out local luxe dining experiences with each culinary experience documented in her exquisite journalistic voice, although this Australian couple are more than inquisitive to get out from the high street and experience hawker dishes, and any concoction of street food available across South East Asia and beyond. In Denise's words, "It’s all about people, place and produce."
