If you are looking for a more intimate and upscale iftar experience, you have to look no further than Cafe Milano at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island.
This Italian waterfront venue has the perfect recipe to make your iftar a little bit more special. It includes friendly and knowledgeable staff and a classy but modern setting complemented with intimate lighting and, of course, mind-blowing food.
Upon entering Cafe Milano we are greeted by a smiling member of staff who welcomes us with dates.
The iftar’s sit down menu is so extensive that we have to ask, “All of this is included?” to which our waitress replies with a smile, “yes”. The menu includes five antipastis, a tomato pasta and a risotto, a choice between sea bream, lamb rack or chicken for main course, and dessert. Drinks are not included, however, you can choose from the restaurant’s beverage menu.
We requested the lamb and sea bream for main course, and asked if they could make one of the iftars egg and dairy-free, which the staff said they will happily manage.
Before our antipastis arrive we are treated to a delicious octopus bruschetta, which consisted of chopped octopus in a subtle spicy sauce, to keep our stomachs at bay while we waited.
It did not take long for the antipastis — which included, scallops, marinated salmon, octopus, potato and onion omelette and eggplant — to arrive and fill the table. The quality of food was fantastic. The pan-fried scallops in a bell pepper sauce was out of this world. The roasted octopus in green beans and mint was cooked perfectly, the salmon was refreshing, the omelette was gorgeously rich, and the eggplant baked in a tomato sauce was divine, leaving you wanting more. A tasty onion soup and a beautiful quinoa dish were also prepared, dairy-free, in place of two dishes on the menu.
Just when we thought it was not possible for the food to get any more tasty and flavourful, the seafood risotto and the tomato pasta arrived. Dished straight from the pan onto a plate, there were so many flavours in the juicy risotto that we couldn’t even decide what they were. The staff put it down to Chef Marco Lucentini’s magic touch and ingredients. It also turned out the reason the strozzapreti pasta’s romano sauce was so different is because the tomatoes are specially chosen from a particular farm in Italy to have just the right amount of acidity.
After a 10-minute break, to allow us to make some room, it was time for the lamb rack and sea bream main courses, which were both cooked to perfection and with just the right spices.
Another 10-minute break was in order to make room for dessert, and this is one is definitely not to be missed — a Sicilian ricotta cheese cassata topped with orange, date and pistachio ice cream and raspberry sauce on the side. Pure heaven. For a dairy-free choice, a mixture of sorbets were on offer or a mixed fruit platter.
This quality of dining is usually rather costly but Cafe Milano has really set the bar high by offering this menu at only Dh200++. A must-try if you love Italian food and want to have a different iftar experience.
The details
Where: Cafe Milano, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island
Price: Dh200++ per person.
Timings: Sunset until late.
