Serafina - Souq al Bahar - Dubai Mall

[caption id="attachment_2635" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Vittorio Assaf (founder of Serafina) at our table[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2639" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with Alton (my guest) at Serafina[/caption]

Just look at the picture right above and notice how the water is blue and they dance too for you. You have the great views of the iconic buildings such as the Burj Khalifa. Atleast this is what caught my first attention as I sat on my table at Serafina restaurant. It's fairly a new restaurant in Dubai(less than a year old) and I had the privilege to attend the sampling of their new menu. Vittorio Assaf who is the owner and founder of Serafina restaurants was there to brief us on anything we needed to know. Infact Serafina has many branches all over the world but this is the first one in Dubai and a good one to know!

[caption id="attachment_2642" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Complimentary Jazz at Serafina in the evenings[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2643" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Serafina - Interiors[/caption]

You can opt to sit out or sit in at Serafina. The interior of Serafina is covered by beauitful artwork. Paintings of famous Italian celebrities can also be found on the wall. These were freshly done by creative artists. There was also a jazz playing on the inside so that's one plus if you are dining inside the restaurant.

[caption id="attachment_2631" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Serafina diners close up seats to the great views of the iconic buildings as well as the dancing fountain[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2640" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Serafina diners enjoy the dancing fountain moment[/caption]

But we sat in their balcony outside enjoying the great views. Their balcony seats were more on demand and it was like getting a VIP seat in front to see the dancing fountain in close up which plays every half an hour. The best part is that their balcony is situated right in center of the show. I love their chairs and table which were solid wood. Feels great to eat on them.

[caption id="attachment_2636" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Serafina Mocktail - Peach Fountain(peach, orange with almond syrup) - Dhs 35[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2634" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Serafina Mocktail - Virgin Mango Daquiri - Dhs 35[/caption]

From the mocktails the peach fountain was my favourite. You should try this if you are here although I wished it came in a prettier glass.

[caption id="attachment_2633" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Carpaccio of Filet Mignon[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2644" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Risotto with fresh Strawberries(left) and Farfalle with Limoncello & baby local Gamberetti(right)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2645" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes[/caption]

After our drinks it all started with Carpaccio of Filet Mignon(thin slices of raw meat) that came with a sauce of Black Truffle & potatoes, and a sprinkle of Sea Salt. Little, nice and yummy. Risotto with fresh Strawberries was something different. I don't normally see risotto with fruits. It was different and good to have that change as our taste buds often demand a change from the routine. Farfalle with Limoncello along with gamberetti(in english means prawns) was soft and delicious. Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes which is made from potatoes were handmade and it was so finely done that you could not distinguish it as a potato.

[caption id="attachment_2641" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Branzino potatoes wrapped on a bed of caramelized leaks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2637" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Focaccia Leggera[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2638" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Focaccia Leggera[/caption]

Focaccia Leggera is actually a Pizza where the bread is cut open. Then they clean the excess dough inside it and then fill them with tomatoes, mozarella cheese, fresh basil etc. Atleast that's what I found in my pizza. Focaccia Leggera is different from the regular pizza as the content is sandwiched inside the bread. The bread is so thin that you hardly feel them heavy as you eat them. So light yet so delicious. The founder Mr. Vittorio Assaf while he was on our table he told me how he started helping his mother at a very young age and one of the first items he used to help making were the pizzas and he strongly believes his restaurants delivers one of the best italian pizza you can find. Branzino dish is actually a white sea bass fish which was again a melt in the mouth and tasted very creamy.

[caption id="attachment_2646" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dessert - Tiramisu[/caption]

Of course there is no Italian restaurant without a tiramisu cake which is fused with a fresh espresso. It is one of the best i've had. The last I tried was from Espressamente Illy but this one took the cup in my list. It was so good that I asked for one more. If you love Italian then there is no doubt you should not miss this restaurant.

[caption id="attachment_2647" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me along with Vittorio Assaf(Founder of Serafina-left) and Chef Marco Zuccala[/caption]

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