TOTÓ Dubai’s new summer menu invites diners on a culinary escape to coastal Italy, where timeless recipes meet fresh, seasonal flair
By Ayesha Shehmir
Summer in Dubai is all about finding places that transport you elsewhere — and TOTÓ Dubai has mastered the art of whisking its guests straight to the Italian coast. Nestled in the Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection in Downtown, the refined Italian restaurant has just unveiled a new line-up of dishes, and it’s nothing short of a sun-drenched culinary journey through the country’s most beloved regions.
Head Chef Angelo Santi, with over 25 years of experience in kitchens across Italy, curates the new summer additions with a flair for nostalgia and a respect for tradition. Each dish carries the essence of long Italian summers: light, fresh, and irresistibly soulful.
Start with the Insalata di Polpo, where tender octopus meets green beans, violet potatoes, and a bright citronette dressing.
It feels like a seaside lunch on the Amalfi coast — fresh, vibrant, and effortlessly chic. For something rooted in Tuscan simplicity, the Bruschettone al Pomodoro layers ripe tomatoes and basil on grilled sourdough, proving that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most enduring.
And for those who lean towards heartier beginnings, the Sauté di Cozze offers mussels simmered with garlic, chili, and non-alcoholic white wine — a fragrant nod to Neapolitan tradition.
The pasta and risotto offerings are where Chef Santi’s passion shines. The Ravioli di Brasato, stuffed with braised beef and cloaked in parmesan cream, brings northern comfort to the table, while the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese pays homage to Emilia-Romagna’s culinary heartland.
Seafood lovers will gravitate towards the Carnaroli Risotto, delicately perfumed with Amalfi lemon and coral sauce, or the Calamarata allo Scoglio, brimming with mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari.
For something deeply comforting, the Gnocchi alla Sorrentina — baked in tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella — delivers the kind of rustic indulgence that Italian grandmothers swear by.
The mains continue the journey: Gamberoni alla Mediterranea, with grilled prawns bathed in a vibrant Mediterranean sauce, are pure coastal elegance, while the Guancia di Vitello Brasata — slow-cooked veal cheek in demi-glace — brings richness and depth. For balance, the Verdure Grigliate showcases seasonal vegetables kissed by the grill.
TOTÓ’s new summer menu isn’t just about food; it’s about atmosphere — the kind that makes a dinner feel like a holiday. Whether it’s a romantic night out, a family celebration, or simply a stylish escape from Dubai’s summer heat, this is Italian dining at its most evocative: soulful, elegant, and timelessly delicious.
Follow TOTÓ Dubai on Instagram: @totorestaurantdubai. Images supplied.
