Taste Italy at Amalfi

Anyone who had the chance of visiting Amalfi will tell you that there is something magic about this town. 
Whether it's the drammatic views you get from the cliffs looking onto the blue sea, the warmth of the sun,  the hospitality of its people, or the flavor of its food, this is one Italian town that has won visitors' hearts for decades. 

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano, at Le Royal Meridien in Abu Dhabi, has gone through great effort to...

Image courtesy of Amalfi

...bring you all of those elements, so that you can enjoy an experience that is as authentic as possible. Right from start,  the setting recalls colors and elements from the beach. 
The ambiance is contemporary with plenty of open spaces to promote interaction. 

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Residents and visitors to the UAE, are lucky to experience the skills and talent of many wonderful chefs, but personally, particularly when it comes to Italian cuisine, I have encountered only a handful of chefs who really took me to a special high with their creations.  Chef Pascal Sfara  is one of these. 
Originating from the same province as the town of Amalfi, not only does he have a deep knowledge of the authentic flavors, but also he bursts with passion. 

Ironically, the other Italian chef who gave me a similar gastronomic experience is Chef Francesco Guarracino who is also from the same area as Chef Pascal. 

I'm starting to wonder whether they have something in the water over there to raise such amazing chefs!  I cannot even imagine the magic that would happen if these two guys would get together to create a menu, but if it ever happens I wanna be there!!

Chef Pascal Sfara

WHAT'S ON MY MENU

STARTER
Roasted octopus salad, Mandarin foam & tomato confit

SOUP
Lobster soup, sautéed wheat with garlic, parsley, chili & fine cress

MAIN COURSE
Whole roasted calamari with sautéed  broccoli & beetroot powder

Roasted octopus salad

Each of the dishes created by Chef Pascal are a sensory delight: the presentation, the aroma and taste are simply incredible. 
I learnt this earlier on with the Roasted Octopus Salad. I love fish and seafood and so I asked the Chef to surprise me and this is what I was presented with! Chunky, tender cuts of octopus on a bed of salad leaves and topped with a mandarin foam.  

Roasted Octopus Salad

The flavor is simply beautiful and the freshness of the seafood remarkable. I loved how the mandarin foam combines with the salad and the octopus to create a tangy seasoning. 

Lobster Soup

Lobster Soup

Initially, the dish is served with a small mound of wheat in the center   topped with lobster and clams are scattered around it. 
Then the bisque broth is poured all around it.  
Get ready for a full infusion of aromas: from the saltiness of the sea to the lush texture of the broth.  This is indeed a luxurious treat! 

Roasted Calamari

If I hadn't been spoiled enough, Chef Pascal decided to present this breathtaking dish of roasted calamari with sautéed broccoli served on a bed of beetroot dust.  Chef Pascal described this dish as a canvas, he invited me to cut a piece from the calamari, grab a piece of broccoli and draw around the plate collecting the beetroot dust.  This dish is once again a sensory experience and you can't help but being wow'd as I was. 

Roasted Calamari

If you reached the end of this post and noticed something is missing, then I invite you to check out the competition below and guess what is that I have not purposely written about. 

WIN A DINNER FOR 2 AT AMALFI

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Amalfi is introducing a month of special treats to celebrate Truffle Season and there are many more winter dishes coming up so make sure to go check them out at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.
To reserve a table please email: restaurants.lrmad@lemeridien.com

If you liked this article you may want to read the rest of Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi review in the Travel Section.