Satisfying Cravings for Italian Food at Carluccio’s Middle East

  • Category: Food
  • January 30, 2020

 

I am a huge fan of Italian food, and let’s face it; who isn’t? So when we were invited to Carluccio’s in Mirdif City Center, we were really looking forward to trying out the food experience.The five-year-old eatery in this mall is spacious and very family friendly, with tables and booths. The kitchen is open and you can see the chefs preparing various kinds of pasta and pizza. We began with freshly baked bread sticks with creamy, indulgent pesto butter. We tucked into three starters from their small bites portion of the menu—burrata—topped with fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and lemon. Then a platter of crispy frito misto, served with pesto mayonnaise; and a really satisfying garlic pizza bread, which tasted similar to pizza, but cheesier. Then we also loved the soup du jour—a rustic pumpkin soup, topped with crispy bread and crème fraiche.

And what’s an Italian meal if not ordering fresh pasta? We ordered some signature favorites—one was the super comforting spinach and ricotta ravioli in a heavenly butter sauce. The dish was well-balanced and the butter sauce gave it a rich, smooth flavor. Then the chicken and mushroom pasta enveloped in a creamy white sauce. Then my absolute favorite—the tagliatelle with Ragu mincemeat; it was rich, moreish, and the Ragu sauce, amply garnished with shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese, paired up really well with the al dente pasta.

For desserts, which I never pass up, we tucked into tiramisu; it was light and airy; and then our unanimous favorite; the molten chocolate cake served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. The warmth of the chocolate sauce from the dense and chocolaty cake was a classic juxtaposition to the cold, sweetness of the ice-cream. What a treat!

The Verdict: With great service, good, authentic Italian food, and a convenient location, Carluccio’s is now a family favorite.

Visit: Carluccio’s Mirdif City Center

www.carlucciosme.com