I was a big fan of The OG Artisan by Enoteca Pinchiorri, and would even go so far as saying it was the finest Italian Ristorante back in the day (and by the I mean a few years back, before it closed it’s doors to a devastated group of discerning diners). While I must admit that Marea Dubai now poses as tough competition, I’m so glad The Artisan 2.0 is back, and not too far from it’s original spot, just right downstairs at The Waldorf Astoria DIFC.
While Marea Dubai offers a far more chic ambience and is a place I’d recommend for special occasions and celebrations, The Artisan DIFC 2.0 is more homey and approachable than more Marea Dubai and it’s previous venue.
Chef Luca Tresoldi has not only preserved the bestsellers and most of the original menu, but has made it better (as if that were even possible). We tried The Artisan’s pizza delivery during lockdown which came in boxes that might as well have been Tiffany & Co pizza boxes, and were utterly blissed out, so our expectations going in to try the full menu were set as high as the bar was by the pizzas,
First up: the Bruchetta platter (priced at AED 83). My favorite was the one with Stacciatella, Cantabria anchovies and roasted bell pepper cream, while M loved the one with Tuscan style chicken liver pate and black truffle.
Having had the Tartufo pizza before, and this beaut with 72 hour fermented dough, black truffle, potatoes, fontina cheese, mozzarella cheese and fresh chives was something we absolutely had to order again, and is what dreams are made of.
I’ll never not order octopus off a menu, and my only regret of this meal is ordering only one portion of this to share between M and I! This beautifully seasoned, slow-cooked octopus with lemon potato cream, green beans, purple confit potato and Tagiasca olive sauce is truly one of the best (if not The Best) plate of octopus you’ll find in the Emirate.
The 12-hour slow-cooked wagyu cheek with celeriac puree and crispy shallots. Juicy, rich, deep and delicious, this was a very comforting dish to tuck into.
Agnolotti Del Plin Alla Zucca: a dish I really wanted to like but the pumpkin filling was just too sweet for my liking, despite the 30-month aged Parmegiano Reggiano fondue.
‘Miele’, the dessert, was very bit as delicate and lovely as it looks. A disc of EVOO cake hidden under a crown of themes delicate lavender panna cotta honey foam and a disc of honey comb in the shape of actual honey comb, was the perfect end to a delightful meal.
Highly recommend a trip (or many) to The Artisan 2.0. I will most certainly be returning, and will continue ordering in their pizzas!
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