Since 2010 on the beach of Cesenatico, where the canal port flows into the sea, there’s Marè, the “sea with an accent” opened by Luca Zaccheroni who has changed the concept of beachside dining on the Romagna riviera. And 15 years after its founding, it has won the “Cà Maiol Award” as the best beach club restaurant in Emilia Romagna according to the Guide to the Best Beach Clubs in Italy.

At the time it seemed like an impossible challenge. A gourmet restaurant, open all year round – while Marè’s beach season follows the calendar permitted by Cesenatico ordinances – to allow not just summer clientele to enjoy the view of the Adriatic and the specialties of the cuisine. Today we can say the challenge has been won, thanks also to continuity in the kitchen, where chef Omar Casali has been working since 2013. And thanks to the determination to extend the traditional lunch and dinner service to reach other time slots: from aperitivo, where cocktails and wines are accompanied by a dedicated menu with seafood specialties and pan pizzas, to breakfast, which represents one of Marè’s strong points thanks also to the leavened products made in their own laboratory in Cesenatico.

Meanwhile, Luca Zaccheroni’s business has doubled, thanks to the opening of QuintoQuarto | piadina & affini which is also located along the Porto Canale in Cesenatico. The Milan adventure on the Navigli has recently come to an end, for a simple reason: the need not to spread thin between two geographically very distant situations. The Ripa di Porta Ticinese location was therefore sold to an emerging “mountain pizza” brand that will strengthen its presence in the city.

And what do we find on Marè’s menu? Apart from the daily specials, which always vary, the must-haves are the piadina with mussel scarpetta and squacquerone, the typical Romagna cappelletti with prawns, beyond the sea there are the 4Ps (cappelletti with prosciutto, cream, parmesan and ponzu), baby octopus with rosemary, grilled potatoes, miso and olives. The crudo cannot be missed, with six different options on the menu. And then there’s the “Sotto costa” tasting menu, with fish from the small boats of Cesenatico’s fishing fleet, priced at 60 euros for six courses. The wine list exceeds the highest expectations of clientele particularly fond of bubbles, including French ones.