Ideal for… a casual, yet delicious lunch spot at the Mall.

 

Restaurant name and location: Eataly, Basement level at The Dubai Mall

Cuisine: Italian

Atmosphere: Buzzing energy, it has a Farmer’s market feel – I love it.

What they say: Established in 2007 by former electronics entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti with the aim of making high-quality Italian food available to everyone, at affordable prices and in an informal environment where people can shop, taste and learn. Eataly opened its first 30,000 square feet location in a rundown vermouth warehouse in the Lingotto district of Turin, and has expanded ever since to 27 stores (10 in Italy, 13 in Japan, 1 in New York, 1 in Chicago, 1 in Turkey, and 1 located inside the Dubai Mall in Dubai, which opened its doors in December 2013). “We’re in love with food” and  “Food unites us all” are just two of the key philosophies of the Manifesto of the food emporium that combines multiple restaurant stations with a cafe and gourmet farmers’ market.

 

What to order:

-Salsiccia e funghi pizza (beef sausage, mozzarella and mushrooms) – Delicious, and quite moist.

-Burrata (one of the best) and I ate it with fresh Bresaola & shaved Parmesan.

-Tagliata di manzo – chef’s recommendation (Grilled sliced beef fillet topped with balsamic reduction)

-Minted lemonade (Fresh and refreshing, they don’t serve soft drinks!)

-Dessert at the Nutella bar! (go for the Crepe or Nutella tart)

 

Service: For such a lively place, the service is ace.

 

What I loved:

-They opened their Nutella bar last month and it’s the perfect dessert spot whether you’re having your meal at Eataly or somewhere else. Let’s be honest – Nutella is tasty with everything. They have options like Nutella crepes, Nutella Crostatina, Nutella cookies, to Nutella croissants.

-The fresh bread packed in a brown paper bag to have with fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

-The variety – they have a Pizza bar, a panini bar, a chocolate bar (with orangettes & truffles), and a pastry bar to name a few.

-Everything tastes like quality.

 

What I didn’t love as much:

-If you’re planning for a quiet, private meal – don’t go for Eataly.

-They don’t serve soft drinks, healthy but I’m a diet coke kind of girl…

 

Bill for two: AED200

 

Contact details: www.eataly.com