Tatler+
The culinary wonders of Italy and Japan meet at this waterfront restaurant
What would happen if an Italian grandmother did a little tango with a Japanese visitor in the kitchen? If Dopo Teatro’s menu is any proof, the chances are that they would create culinary magic.
The restaurant serves up wholesome Italian dishes that have been given a modern, Japanese-inspired twist. This means familiar staples such as pastas and pizzas dressed, sauced, and topped with premium ingredients from the Land of the Rising Sun. Tradition is kept to where it matters, with the pastas and pizza doughs all house-made from scratch.
Open the meal with a selection of antipasti, such as the Fisherman’s Catch. It’s a generous platter made up of calamari, tempura shishamo, soft shelf crab and kawa ebi. Perfectly battered and fried, every morsel strikes a balance between crispy and juicy without any greasiness. The dish is served with sweet and sour tsukemono pickles, which act as the counter to the deep fried richness, and a moreish mentaiko aioli dip.
The signature pasta is the Seafood Paccheri—large tubular pasta served with a Japanese octopus ragu, uni foam, shiso oil, ice plant, and Japanese baby crabs. The ragu, which has been infused with the crustacean flavour of the baby crabs, provides a savoury depth that permeates the whole dish. Every satisfyingly chewy bite of the al dente pasta ends with an umami explosion courtesy of the uni foam. Not to be mistaken as a mere garnish, the ice plant’s presence is much needed, providing a crunchy freshness that cuts through the richness of the dish.
Don't miss: New Restaurant Alert: Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen’s Concept Will Remind You of Italian Summers
