From Northern Italy, With Love

Nope. Still here in Dubai. 

How I wish that the real reason for my “absence” is because I’ve moved to Tuscany and currently enjoying the sceneries, embracing the culture and savoring its delectable cuisine. But a girl can only dream. 

I’m still stuck in my blogging limbo. I have so much to share and yet I can’t make myself write. The words are all jumbled in my head. Even as I am writing this, I still need to pause and pull out the right words just like a magician pulling a rabbit out of the hat. Am I still making sense? No? Yes?? Oh well. 

Why the title, then? 

I got invited to taste a sample Northern Italy at Pax Ristorante & Lounge a couple of days ago. I’ve been declining invites lately because hey, I’m not in the mood, ok?  But when I found out my blogger friends will be going, I decided that I need this. Maybe this is the break I need. So off I went. Pax is located at the 24th floor of Dusit Thani Dubai. Yes, 24th floor … it has an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed Road if you’re seated at the right spot. Beautiful, especially at night. 

It’s always fun when I’m with this group. I’m not sure why. LOL. Unfortunately, for some reason, my camera won’t focus and produce nice looking photos that night (plus I can’t be bothered with the settings. I know, I’m a lousy blogger — at least I’m honest about it, right?). Anyway, moving on …

I arrived a little after 8 pm. I wasn’t just starving … I was famished! I thought I’d skip lunch that day, you know … so I could really enjoy dinner. (Note — it didn’t work. I think I almost drank everything … including the main course. LOL).

My photo does not give justice to this creamy goodness. It’s like running to your mommy’s warm embrace. The servers advised we eat the soup while it’s hot because it wouldn’t be good cold. She didn’t have to tell me twice — I was hungry, remember? It was warm, creamy and just about right. I loved it. That’s saying a lot because I have not tasted pumpkin soup before. I avoided it like the plague because, for me, nothing beats good ol’ potato soup. (Lousy and boring … why am I blogging again? LOL)

I know I’m not supposed to eat red meat anymore but who could resist? (Yeah, I haven’t told you about the health issue, right? well … ) This grilled T-bone steak will haunt me for a long long time. It’s perfect. And very affordable too (considering it’s in a fine dining resto, right?)

Of course, we had to try Risotto — we’re still Asians. Rice all the way! However. I found the dish a little too salty. Or maybe I’m just not used to eating something I can’t spell. 

“How do you spell Risotto? Is it double S or double T?”

Me: “I think it’s double S … and double T. Why don’t we make it three letters each just to be sure??”

For dessert, we had Tiramisu. Simple. Unassuming. Perfect way to cap off dinner.  

Because of the reason I previously stated, I wasn’t able to get good photos of the rest of the menu served but there was nothing there that I would not recommend. Everything blended together beautifully and they are prepared as ordered so you can mix and match.

Here’s the rest of the menu:

Appetizer

VITELLO TONNATO – AED 45
Pink thick slice of slow roasted veal with tuna caper sauce.  

CREMA DI ZUCCA AL CROCCANTE D’AMARETTO – AED 35
Cream of pumpkin with crunchy amaretto flavored crisps

First Course

RAVIOLI DI MANZO AL SUGO D’ARROSTO, FUNGHI E SPINACI NOVELLI – AED 55
Beef ravioli tossed in natural veal jus, forest mushrooms, and spinach

RISOTTO CON ASPARAGI, RADICCHIO E TALEGGIO – AED 55
Risotto with green asparagus, radicchio and Taleggio cheese

Main Course

COSTATA DI MANZO CON ZUCCHINE E PEPERONI SALTATI IN PADELLA – AED 105
Grilled T-bone steak with pan fried zucchini and capsicum

GALLETTO ALLA GRIGLIA CON PATATE ARROSTO, VERDURE ALLA GRIGLIA IN SALSA ALLE ERBE E OLIO D’OLIVA – AED 85
Grilled corn-fed baby chicken, roast potatoes and grilled vegetable with herb extra virgin olive oil sauce. 

This menu is available for the whole month of February. So if you’re planning to treat your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, well, you should consider going to Pax.  (wink wink). Check out Doc Gelo’s review here (his photos are amazing!)

PAX Ristorante & Lounge
24th floor, Dusit Thani Dubai ,
133, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 23335 Dubai
website :www.dusit.com/dusitthani/dubai 
e-mail : dtdu@dusit.com

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Disclaimer: We were guests at Pax – Dusit Thani Dubai, however, all opinions are mine and remains uninfluenced.