Sicilia – Where Italian Tradition Meets Modern Cuisine

If you’ve been on the hunt for authentic Italian cuisine in Dubai, your search is officially over.  Sicilia may be hidden away in Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel, but once found, it’s like a treasure that you’ll always return to. The restaurant recently launched their “Yamamma” ladies lunch and we had to check it out.

Walking to the restaurant is a treat on its own, where you get to enjoy the hotel’s magnificent decorations of lanterns swaying from the high ceilings. Sicilia makes sure you get the whole Italian experience, as you dine in the ambience of rustic yet luxurious Tuscan-style décor. You will feel instantly at home amidst the comfortable furniture in brown hues and framed pictures on the walls, with soft Italian music playing in the background. 
 

In a mix of contemporary and traditional styles, the restaurant presents Italian cuisine in a way that gives the elusive experience of being in Italy’s countryside. Chef Stefano Liguori and Chef Marcello Vigano are the masterminds behind the curtain, but only metaphorically as there is an arch opening to peer into the kitchen and watch as the food is being prepared.
 

After being warmly greeted by the hostess, we were led to a table of our choice. She recommended a table with a view of the kitchen and it was spot on. As we peered over our menus, we were offered a basket of fresh bread rolls. We attempted to avoid it as to not fill our stomachs, but the smell was so enticing, we just couldn’t resist.

We were presented with three menus and we opted for the second one as it had the most options. Our starter was a salad made up of braised pear, goat cheese, baby spinach, walnuts and balsamic vinegar. The goat cheese had such a strong flavour, but the sweetness of the pears toned it down perfectly and the crunchiness of the walnuts gave it a nice touch.  
 

The staff was quite attentive to our cues, always friendly and smiling. I had dropped my napkin without noticing and I found the waiter immediately bringing me another to replace it. The service between dishes was always quick, leaving you just long enough to look forward to the next dish.

As for the main course, we were so indecisive about which one to choose because both dishes sounded delightful. Chef Marcello was kind enough to solve our dilemma by offering to let us sample both main dishes.

SEE ALSO: Dining experiences at Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate

We started with the Paccheri Norma Style, which consisted of Large Naples Maccheroni, fresh tomato sauce, eggplant and dried aged sheep ricotta. Crafted with elegant detail, the earthy pasta dish was a graceful movement from the light starter. The eggplant was soft and full of flavour.
 

Next came the Angus Beef Tagliata, a grilled striploin, served with mushroom raw salad, rocket leaf, roasted potato and pecorino sauce. The hearty dish was a pleasant culmination of the lunch. The meat was succulent, while the baby potatoes provided an excellent contrast. The pecorino sauce provided just the right mix of sweet and salty.
 

To end the lunch, two scoops of Italian ice-cream were in order. Vanilla and chocolate ice-cream might not sound like anything new, but it was truly unlike any others we’ve had. The way the flavours came together was the ideal combination, as the chocolate one was so dense and creamy while the vanilla one was quite light. It was definitely a delectable conclusion to an authentic Italian experience.  
 

The Camel Kid’s Club can take care of your little ones aged between 3 and 12 years so you can fully enjoy the experience.

Reviewed by Shaimaa for ExpatWoman.com

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