Emerson Beach Club, Cagliari

It’s time to relax, says the sign at the entrance of Emerson. We’re at Poetto beach, so we decide to do as the sign says. The occasion is perfect because Emerson Beach Club is a well-equipped establishment with diverse services, featuring a good selection of spots characterized by sea-green umbrellas and a premium gazebo section in the area closest to the restaurant and outdoor bar space, which consists of a tent set up among the palm trees. The kids’ club available for the little ones, and their parents, seems almost like a beach club within the beach club and allows everyone present to enjoy the beach without too much noise. Inside the establishment, we liked the small sofas with blue and white cushions. From a design perspective, the strangest thing is the contrast between the spaciousness of the interior areas and the “bottlenecks” at the entrance to the bar area, which at first glance almost seems like a part of the establishment reserved for staff, but it’s not. Consequently, having a coffee becomes quite a complicated endeavor, unless you’re willing to sit at the tables (which are occupied during lunch hours by restaurant customers anyway). In the kitchen we find traditional local dishes and a menu that includes both fish and meat: beef tartare and mullet bottarga with celery and burrata among the appetizers, squid ink tagliolino with mussel emulsion, pecorino cream and bread crumble, but also potato and mint culurgiones in tomato sauce among the first courses, gratinated croaker with rye bread, club sandwich and other offerings to follow. Good wine list with many sparkling wines and Sardinian whites. Among the desserts, try the cheese seadas.