Cruising through JBR is like passing into a comatose but stepping inside the magnificent Amwaj Rotana located along the strip of The Walk is activating your hibernating senses. Ofcourse Rotana lives up to it’s name and offers warm ambiance still displaying the glamour that Dubai is so popularly known for. We took an elevator to Level 2 of the hotel to Rosso to pamper ourselves for what best be described as “Treasured Time” of our couple hours spent indulging in one of the best Italian meals in town.
Just as we entered Rosso, all unexpected started to happen as we didn’t await a house full of restaurant goers and was later more amused to know that most of them are regulars rooters of the restaurant! There was a lot of cheerful vibe, chattering, people in relaxed mode enjoying their drinks, glitz, no screen (thankfully!) and friendly faces to welcome us. After a few hellos we were guided to our table in non-smoking zone where seating is more formal and structured yet calm. We kicked off our evening with mocktails, which Rosso sure does right. The restaurant has great collection in the drinks menu from around the world which can make your choice difficult! Hubby went for Rotana Palm – a super exhilarating coconut-pineapple combination while I did Sunflower – a stimulating tropical mix of orange, pineapple and mango.
Rosso has recently appointed Chef Emanuele Di Tullio, who is taking steps to include more clever use of Italian ingredients and that can well be exhibited in chef’s special Insalata Di Zucca – salad with roasted pumpkin, sprinkles of ricotta cheese and croutons so alive with flavors of rosemary. This one sure will zest your appetite for a remarkable Italian dinner ahead with a fork full in each bite.
There is really whole lot of choice in Anti Pasti and I recommend you take your time scanning through the menu. Our server for the evening suggested we go for Frittura Di Pesce as a munch while we wait for our mains. Expect no sub-standard greasy prawns and calamari but crisp squid rings and shrimps fried to perfection (golden on the outside and soft from inside) in a light batter served with tartar sauce, a rich house made condiment with our sea food that night.
Suprema di Pollo appeased our chicken cravings at Rosso. This Italian rendition is cooked in a dash of homemade jus with thyme that elevates the senses while the chicken wing is beautifully seared in honey, served rightly with spicy potatoes by the side.
We could see many pizzas going in and out of the wood oven in an open kitchen while still seated at our tables, and it would be a blasphemy not to go for one! Vegetariana has every bit of an Italian touch to it. A variety of Mediterranean veggies like zucchini, mushrooms and eggplant over a bed of tomato sauce and mozzarella satiated our hunger. This was comfort food at its best!
For the dessert, we called for Tortino Di Cioccolato, nothing can go miscalculated with oozing chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream to the side. Best way to end our glorious dinner!
As were in the midst of our orders, we decided to check out their huge al-fresco sitting which overlooks the Arabian Gulf and is a prime den when the weather cool down. Amwaj does a fancy Friday brunch on their beautiful terrace with favorites from the kitchens of – Rosso, Benihana and Horizon spoiling the guests for choices between Italian, Japanese and International. But since it is summer, their buffet takes place inside and is still cherished by patrons. Good news is, that the terrace will open from October again when the sun will still shine bright, however, there will be a cool sea breeze to enjoy the dazzling spread food from three restaurants at one place!
We really wished we could eat more, try more what is on the menu; however we are leaving it for the next time when we return to Rosso again!
Location – Amwaj Rotana, Level 2, The Walk, Dubai.
Disclosure : Though we were invited at Rosso, the opinions in this post are unbiased and remain my own.