Cucina, Hotel Missoni 25% Discount for April and Live Music on Thursdays and Fridays

An invitation to try out the new summer menu at Cucina at Hotel Missoni was just irresistable. Loved the lightness, colours and the roundness of the place; added to it's interest. It was after 9PM and was quite busy. I noticed most were Europeans, probably Italians who know where to find good authentic Italian food.

The lovely Faye and Airina stayed with us to talk us through the dishes and answer all our questions about the restaurant and hotel.

The first thing that is obvious is the superb service but then almost all the staff are Italian. Chef Claudio came and introduced himself and told us about their desire to serve high quality, authentic Italian and Italian dishes slightly tweaked to suit local tastes; all made with the very finest imported and local ingredients.

After he left to the kitchen to prepare our menu sampling Faye told us that Chef Claudio  is a protegee of the incredible Giorgio Locatelli of London and Atlantis Dubai fame - impressive stuff.

The beverage list was concocted exclusively for Cucina by a worldwide renowned mixologist, and it shows. The drinks are unforgetable. On a previous visit to Missoni I had the fresh pomegranite with hints of cinnamon spice, sweetened almond, fresh lemon and ginger ale.....YUM! It was just as good as I remembered.

The food...

Left: Char-grilled cuttlefish salad with spicy dressing **
Right: Marinated hamour carpaccio with fennel and pomegranite salad **

Yummy bread baked daily with imported Italian flour

Blue gnocchi with an amazing four cheese sauce

Left: Beef bresaola with rocket leaves, mushroom and extra virgin olive oil **
Right: Thinly sliced chicken breast with peppers and capers

Homemade prawn ravioli with courgette flower

Super prime US beef slices with rocket, parmesan  and extra  virgin olive oil **

Pan fried sea bass in a sun dried tomato crust with basil mash

Presentation, service and quality of ingredients were all excellent. I did find some of the dishes a little too rich and flavourful for me. Have marked the ones I would definitely order again with **
there was also a homemade tagliatelle with a bolognese ragu, flavoured with sage and rosemary - which my friend loved but I found too unusual for my palate.

The dessert was a tiramisu**  to die for.  

I would definitely go back to also try the broccolli soup with ricotta cheese dumplings, beef carpaccio, porcini mushroom risotto, veal escalope with spinach, lemon sauce and pine seeds, everything on the dessert menu and if I've any space a portion of the gorgonzola with pears :OD

I did ask about the lack of truffle oil on the menu (a fav of mine) but the puritanical chef explained that they only serve truffles in season and that most truffle oils would need chemicals added to preserve them. Obviously a big no-no at Cucina. Note to self; to return during truffle season and taste the truffle dishes.

The prices, I thought, were a wee bit expensive (the portions above are only samples you would get a much larger portion for your money). Faye has told me they shall soon have live music in the evenings too.

Thank you Faye, Airina, Claudio and all the staff at Cucina for a memorable evening.

For reservations call 25770000 opening times are 12.30pm-4pm for lunch and re-open at 7pm for dinner.

Come to Cucina for live music every Thursday and Friday plus a 25% discount at Cucina for the month of April :OD

www.hotelmissoni.com 


8/10