Dubai: It’s not for nothing that Monaco – the tiny principality on the French Riviera – remains a favourite play ground for the world’s rich and famous. Now you can get a slice of all that glitz and glam right here in Dubai at the Sass Café, opened in March at the Al Fattan Currency House in DIFC.
Sass may be well known for serving an ultra chic international clientele in that part of Europe but they don’t seem shy of bringing Monaco’s same cinematic elegance and jet-setter glamour right here in Dubai.
With views of the Burj Khalifa, an open terrace, a piano bar under dazzling chandeliers suspended from a high ceiling and intimate dining spaces blown up by rich red velvet and satin drapery, the Monegasque opulence is almost complete in what is the first Sass venue outside of this roughly two kilometer square city state bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on one side.
Great start
However, it is the food, featuring a luscious South of France-influenced Mediterranean menu, that should draw you to this stunning location. On a pre-Ramadan business lunch (Dh120 per person plus Dh25 for desserts), my photographer Clint and I were made to start with an item each from their list of ‘Les Entrées’. We chose a vegetarian ‘Salade de Lentilles, citrouille and Feta’ and Carpaccio de Bouef à la Sassa.
The first one – a humble lentil salad – came in real good quantity and tasted great with sliced pumpkins and feta on top. A touch of lemon and mint not only cut the saltiness of feta but also made it greatly refreshing.
The other entrée – a Carpaccio – on the other hand was more of a gustatory delight. A dish of Italian origin (named after Venetian painter, Vittore Carpaccio known for characteristic red and white tones of his work), it was made of raw beef pounded thin. Marinated with lemon, olive oil and topped with sleek Parmesan crisps, the raw sirloin tasted heavenly - sundried peppers and dijon mustard mayonnaise adding to taste.
It was time for ‘Les Pates du Jour’ or chef’s selection of pasta next and we were served tagliatelle with premium minced wagyu beef cooked in ragù sauce. With Parmesan crisps on top and enough Parmesan in the semi-thick sauce deliciously made of veal, the pasta too scored high on my list.
In the last part of this special three course meal, ‘Les Plat Principaux’ or the main dish, we ordered a ‘Côtelettes d’Agneau Grillées’ or lamb cutlets and a ‘Dorade à la Provençale’ or grilled fillet of sea bream.
The chops – pot roasted with balsamic, shallots and thyme jus and garnished with broccoli and mashed potatoes – were well done to our taste and exceptionally succulent.
The sea bream fillet, grilled to perfection on a bed of tomatoes, was done just the way it is apparently done in Provence, South Eastern, France. Garnished with broccoli, mashed potatoes and other Mediterranean vegetables, it was a delectable affair. The fish, most importantly, tasted as fresh as it could get.
There was a choice of desserts from a traditional tiramisú to a classic crème brulée, Tarte au Citron or lemon tart to a selection of Sorbets but we went for something that sounded really different: Cigars au Chocolat or chocolate cigarillos. Served warm with cinnamon caramel inside, it was worth a bite and perhaps the best way to end the great Monegasque affair.
