Leonardo’s Da Vinci Night on Thursdays is a great evening brunch menu to try out with a group of friends at a very reasonable AED250 per person, including house beverages (FYI, the house wines: reds and rosé at least, were actually good). Located in the Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina hotel, the restaurant’s entrance is conveniently found outside right by the taxi drop-off zone. With a warm welcome, you are shown to your table and an appetizer of savoury petit fours and toasts with tomato bruschetta is brought over to have with drinks while you peruse the menu.
The menu is nicely varied, and it’s surprising just how much food is served from it. A sharing entrée of Straccetti (thinly sliced beef) with Rocket, Tomato and Parmesan was served to our table by lifting a glass dome filled with a haze of smoke for its big reveal. This was followed with a choice of three starters in which we both chose the Beef Tartare with Vegetable Caponata and Parmesan Cream. The other two choices were Fried Jumbo Prawn and Calamari with Vegetable Tempura, or Burrata Cheese with Brunoise Heirloom Tomato and Pistachio. If beef tartar is on the menu, it’s pretty much my guaranteed choice and we were both happy to have ordered it!
There are 4 surprise pasta specials brought out to share before your main course is served. We are told these change from week to week depending on the fresh ingredients available at the time. We had a mix of pumpkin, salmon, ragout and truffle, and I was especially taken with the spinach and ricotta crepes variety as I had not had these for many, many years and they are a favourite. Go in with an empty stomach to get all those delicious carbs in, but take your time as you are far from finished at this stage!
It is especially nice to have Chef Carlo come out himself to check in (twice on our visit) at every table after his main dishes are served. This is Italian hospitality at its best.
There are two options to choose from for the mains, and again we both opted for the same, Beef Tenderloin with Mashed Potato and Porcini Mushroom, against the Salmon with Cauliflower Sauce, Bok Choy and Porcini Mushroom. I did struggle to finish mine, but I conquered in the end and still made room to get the Signature Tiramisu (I couldn’t pass that up) served in a teacup… we again both chose the same over the second option of Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Almond Flour and Ice Cream, which sounded just as good.
And just to add more to the unannounced specials, the waiter brings you a small selection of sweet petit fours to send you off on your merry and very full way. This is one everyone can enjoy!
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