Awarded two Michelin stars, IL RISTORANTE – NIKO ROMITO is a bold concept created exclusively for Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts that redefines Italian cuisine by focusing on ingredients and ideas that embody the culture and philosophy of “made in Italy”.
IL RISTORANTE – NIKO ROMITO is a restaurant by renowned Italian chef Niko Romito, located in the luxurious Bvlgari Resort Dubai.
After our great experience at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito in Rome, we decided to try an Italian dinner one night while staying at the Bvlgari Resort in Dubai.
The restaurant, crafted to embody the essence of Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts’ celebrated Italian heritage, accommodates 105 guests. Each carefully selected detail in its interior enhances the ambiance. The windows provide a stunning view of the Persian Gulf, and as the sun sets, the dark ceilings and the entire interior transform into a visually captivating spectacle.
Niko Romito, hailing from the Italian region of Abruzzo, is the chef of the famous Ristorante Reale, a 3 Michelin star establishment featured on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. He is the creator of Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, an Italian concept with locations in Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai, Milan, Paris, Tokyo, and Rome. Niko’s extraordinary talent and craftsmanship contribute to the culinary offerings at Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. Although he resides and works in Italy, he regularly consults with each chef to ensure the integrity of the project in each city, providing hotel guests with the finest Italian culture that blends tradition with a modern, simple approach.
The kitchen of the Dubai restaurant is managed by Niko’s own trained, talented, and ambitious chef, Giacomo Amicucci. Giacomo grew up in the Emilia-Romagna region, where he studied and worked with some of Italy’s most talented teams. He later moved to Australia, where he gained new insights into the role of Italian cuisine on the international stage. His innovative ideas caught the attention of Niko Romito, who invited him to his restaurant Reale and, in 2017, appointed him as the chef of the Dubai restaurant.
The restaurant offers a variety of menu options — à la carte and tasting menu with a carefully selected wine list, including more than 700 names from Italy and other countries.
We chose a tasting menu I CLASSICI that embodies a grand journey through all the regions of Italy, and the premium wine pairing became the accompaniment.
The central place in the theme of simplicity and authenticity is occupied by bread, which is a key element of the Niko Romito philosophy and the basis of Italian gastronomic culture. It is with bread that the tasting of the set begins.
Marinated beef carpaccio with tomato mayonnaise and mixed leaves
Parmigiano Reggiano cream with spring vegetables
Wine suggestion: Gaja, Alteni di Brassica, 2022, Langhe, Italy
Special course — Hand-folded veal tortelli in a pecorino sauce — tender and hearty, the cheese sauce adds salt and depth of flavour, while the fava beans add brightness, balance and texture
In a realm where culinary artistry meets the essence of Italy, every dish is a masterpiece crafted from the finest premium ingredients, meticulously sourced from both local and international treasures. This gastronomic odyssey is a testament to the power of quality and simplicity, where each bite is a symphony of flavors. The pièce de résistance is the exquisite Carma Formica Alta, an award-winning olive oil, produced in Italy exclusively for Bvlgari, standing as the sole creation of its kind, elevating every dish to unparalleled heights.
Spaghetti with Niko Romito signature tomato sauce
Beef tenderloin with almond sauce, black pepper and alcoholic mesclun
Wine suggestion: Sena, 2016, Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Before you turn to the sweet part of the menu, you’ll be served with a perfect refreshing pre-dessert — “Sgroppino”
The dinner concluded with a magnificent dessert:
Ricotta ice cream, balsamic vinegar and amarene cherries in syrup
Wine suggestion: Bruno Paillard, Première Cuvée Rosé Extra Brut Champagne, France
A final touch before you go — Vanilla Bomba at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, a delicate doughnut filled with smooth vanilla Crème Pâtissiere, finished with a dusting of tine sugar.
The dining room opens onto a beautiful terrace overlooking the marina, where you can enjoy magnificent sunsets.
Niko Romito: “At Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, tradition is updated with a new approach, which enhances its essence while innovating its form. A great deal of research goes into every dish, and creativity and techrique are used to achieve the purest and most intense expression of taste. In every dish, ingredients are transformed to enhance their flavors and textures, with particalar attention to lightness. I want guests to feel like they are on a journey shrough the great classics of our cuisine and its innumerable regional specialties. Every meal is an opportunity to discover new flavors or rediscover well-known ones”.
Menu — 900 AED
Wine Pairing — 800 AED
Exclusive Wine Pairing — 4000 AED
Address: Bvlgari Resort Dubai, Jumeirah, 2, Dubai, UAE
Opening hours: 19.00 – 00.00
Instagram: @bvlgarinikoromitodubai
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
