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It’s a challenge, a personal challenge called “Eataly”; visit them all before I die one at the time. After New York, Roma, Milano, Dubai, and Istanbul among others I probably forget, visiting FICO, Eataly’s biggest food haven was a must. Today, touring around Dubai’s Festival City, I stopped to have a bite at another Eataly. Spaghetti cooked aldente, juicy pizzas, and the famous molten burrata... I was enchanted.
One of the smallest Eataly’s I’ve been to, hosts a small shopping area, several open kitchens, and a dining space. Proposing the same menu, you can find in Italy, choose from a handful of Italian specialties prepared with love and served with finesse.
Fresh bread to start, a moist heart and a crunchy border, the bread smells good. Dip it in balsamic vinegar mixed with olive oil and enjoy a great journey to Italy and back.
I was hungry, and craving Italian food; two spaghetti, a risotto and a pizza were immediately ordered the minute I sat.
It feels like a restaurant inside a grocery shop with a view of the lake. Located on the first floor of Dubai’s Festival City, Eataly is a definite place handled by a smiling team running around to satisfy everyone.
The mozzarella burrata looks great but needs a more Italian passion to be turned into a great plate; hard textured, a ball of cheese lays on a bed of tomatoes. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of salt and pepper which will boost all the flavors of this dull plate. Anyway, the ingredients are fresh, and this is what counts.
The pizza is out of this world! It’s the first time that I taste a pizza made with yellow tomatoes sauce and richly loaded with buffalo mozzarella and decorated with Sundried tomatoes. That’s a unique taste and a superb combination of ingredients I’ll remember for long; the dough is also memorable. A must try!
Spaghetti Pomodoro cooked aldente, light acidity and a rich flavor followed by the aromatic tartuffo carbonara, creamy and full of taste. I also ordered the risotto of the day, black squid ink, and calamari; I loved the crunchy calamari used as a decoration on top, the chewy ones cooked inside the rice and the creaminess of the sauce embracing rice cooked to perfection.
A meal is not complete without a selection of mouthwatering desserts; the Italians do it right! Tiramisu, Venchi the famous Italian ice cream and a Nutella craving; unfortunately, Eataly’s desserts are below average!
Two hazelnut cookies sandwiched with warm Nutella served on a big plate looking empty. It’s an average dessert precisely like the tiramisu that has an unpleasant sandy effect and finally the banana ice cream that looks like any dessert one would prepare at home.
Yummy all the way! Eataly was, is and will still be a favorite place I’ll visit every time I have the chance to all around the world. I’ll skip dessert next time.
