“Are you sure we can’t tempt you to something else?” our waiter teases. We take a few moments to ponder the offer. The previous two hours have been spent in the dainty surrounds of Siena, a chic yet relaxed restaurant in Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, where we have gorged ourselves on a smorgasbord of authentic Italian flavours and dishes and now, our belt buckles are under serious pressure.
It's a Monday evening when we pay our visit. Tucked away on the second floor of the five-star property, the restaurant oozes laidback vibes combined with a sense that you should dress to impress. Interiors are all about dusky pinks and emerald greens, with statement chandeliers hovering above diners’ heads. Wander beyond the first space, you will discover a wrap-around bar, where the in-house mixologists craft tasty cocktails and the Bar Di Pesce mounted on an emerald green marble countertop, beckons guests to indulge in the fruits of the sea. It is also in this area, you will find the open kitchen and the pizza oven, where a roaring fire adds the finishing touch to exquisitely homemade pizzas.
Of course, enjoying a prime piece of real estate that looks out onto Dubai’s Marina, it’s hard not to resist the temptation of placing yourself on the sizeable terrace. It’s all dark greens and gentle browns and incredible views of Dubai’s megastructures. However, it is a little chilly this evening so we decide to set ourselves up at an alcove-styled sofa, replete with Sicilian lemon cushions and a circular table, dressed in crisp white linen.
Begin the evening with one of Siena’s signature cocktails; a colourful spectrum of concoctions that each deserve a sample. I treat myself to the Salve Mi Manda Rino; a vivid orange beverage that marries Aperol with soda, sage and lemon before being topped off with a slice of mandarin. As we study the menu – curated by Head Chef Alessandro Mirabelli - a giant house sourdough loaf is brought to the table. It’s incredibly tasty but dangerous as one could sate their appetite with this serving alone.
For starters, focaccia bread sprinkled with garlic and rosemary, fritto e’ cosa buona e giusta (a mix of fried calamari, shrimps and whitebait) accompanied by a spicy mayo, and the piquant Gamberi rossi siciliani (raw Sicilian red shrimps) drizzled in lemon dressing and served with salmon roe are highly recommended. However, gourmands can be forgiven if they are led astray by the caviars baeri and beluga and the gluttonous half kilogramme of burrata.
Next, it’s time to enjoy the mains. There are eight options for pizza with the Anni ’90 – veal, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and capers, gently covered with tuna sauce – and the Riplena – a collection of turkey ham, mozzarella, and roccaverano’s robiola cheese – the standout choices. For something more decadent, turn to Pesci & Carni (Fish & Meat) section, where you will find salmone alla pizzaiola (grilled salmon fillet served with pizza sauce), slow-cooked Wagyu beef cheek and traditional Florentine T-bone steak, weighing in at 1.3kg. However, we are craving pasta tonight. A sublimely thick and creamy spaghetti carbonara for me and a flavourful spaghetti pomodoro for my guest.
Don’t be like us and forget to save room for dessert. Finish off with a heavy chocolate soufflé and vanilla ice-cream and the famed sgroppino – a lemon sorbet with liquorice powder that offers a sweet ending with a twist. Or if you are feeling truly adventurous, test your taste buds against the burrata ice cream with olive crumble and dashed with olive oil.
Dubai is no stranger to restaurants that hero the spectacular tastes of Italy. From pretty pizzerias and gorgeous gelaterias to fine dining settings, the whole gamut of the old country’s cuisine is spotlighted by the city’s dining scene. Siena has found its own little corner in this competitive marketplace and with its traditional recipes, beautiful décor and impeccable ambience, it won’t be going out of style anytime soon.
