ITALIAN DINING AT PAX RISTORANTE & LOUNGE, DUSIT THANI DUBAI

Italy is one of the countries inscribed in my bucket list and I know I’ll set foot in Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence soon. And in Northern Italy, I’ll never stop wanting and aiming until I experience at least a day or two in Manarola! Have you been?

Speaking of Northern Italy, I had the pleasure to be invited by Pax Ristorante & Lounge, the Italian restaurant at the 24th floor (read : skyscrapers’ incredible view with Burj Khalifa in the lead!) of Dusit Thani Dubai. Two things that made me nod in a blink to the generous invitation from Dusit :

One – I became quite thrilled and curious of Pax’s offering for the month of February (oh yes, Valentine’s Day and so!) which happens to be carefully selected gastronomic specialties from Northern Italy no less. It’s the next best thing of tasting Italy for now!

Two – It was another opportunity for me to spend fun time and dine with my Filipino blogger-friends again who are UAE-based. Who would say no to such chance?

Thai dancers at the lobby of Dusit Thani Dubai.

Lovely interiors at Pax. Enticing, isn’t it? Too perfect whether you’re dining with family,  friends or your special someone on that V-day and beyond! Surprisingly affordable too; I kid you not!

The view from 24th floor : Sheikh Zayed Road. That view of Burj Khalifa not on photo.

 With UAE-based bloggers (from L-R) : Ion, Carla, Sheila, me, and Kenneth. 

The dishes included in the menu and featured for the month of February are from Piemonte or Piedmont, Veneto or Venice, and Toscana or Tuscany where Florence is.

Our palates were first stimulated by a bowl of rich and creamy pumpkin soup with crunchy amaretto flavored crisps. It’s one of the best, if not the best version I’ve tasted! And for only 35 dirhams per order, it’s worth every dirham, I tell you!

CREMA DI ZUCCA AL CROCCANTE D’AMARETTO.  AED 35.

Another choice of appetizer served its purpose so well, that made me want and crave for more! Pink thick slice of slow-roasted veal with tuna caper sauce appeared to be a humble dish, yet there’s an interesting tug-of-war-of-taste between the two meats infused in one dish!

VITELLO TONNATO. AED 45.

Italian cuisine as far as I know, isn’t complete without pasta. Correct me if I’m wrong, that if rice is to Asians, it’s pasta to Italians. And for Pax’s February offering, we sampled beef ravioli tossed in natural veal jus, forest mushrooms and spinach. A tasty whole-meal-in-one, for me! Quite satisfying too!

RAVIOLI DI MANZO AL SUGO D’ARROSTO, FUNGHI E SPINACI NOVELLI. AED 55.

If you’re not into pasta, and still biased with rice dishes, then risotto with green asparagus, radicchio and taleggio cheese is for you! However, there’s a hint of saltiness in this dish that might tickle your taste buds a bit. It’s not an issue if you love cheesy dishes, you know what I mean!

RISOTTO CON ASPARAGI, RADICCHIO E TALEGGIO. AED 55.

Now, if there’s one thing in the menu from PAX that’s worth every word of my recommendation, a dish that I can vouch my humble name and blogging integrity, it’s the Grilled T-bone steak with pan fried zucchini and capsicum! Tender, juicy and becomes more flavorful when you toy a chunk of meat in your mouth slowly. It’s Hallelujah every forkful! Go and troop to Dusit Thani Dubai if you’re in UAE or if you’re visiting the emirates soon, and find truth to my words!

COSTATA DI MANZO CON ZUCCHINE E PEPERONI SALTATI IN PADELLA. AED 105.

What’s best with PAX is the fact that there’s always something for everyone! If you’re not into beefy-goodness-steak, then you may opt for finely seasoned and organic-tasting (read : freshness!) grilled corn-fed baby chicken, roast potatoes and grilled vegetables with herb extra virgin olive oil sauce.  Although my vote and my heart were won by the steak hands-down, I’d still say this grilled chicken dish is so good, you have to try it too when you have the chance!

Both the steak and the chicken dish from PAX are a reflection of what one should wolf down during the cooler climate in winter! Satisfyingly good and not that heavy. With protein-rich-goodness paired with fibrous rich veggies, you got a meal fit even for a Pope!

GALLETTO ALLA GRIGLIA CON PATATE ARROSTO, VERDURE ALLA GRIGLIA IN SALSA ALLE ERBE E OLIO D’OLIVA. AED 85.

For dessert, a familiar tiramisu landed on our table. A delicately made, sublime mixture of mocha and coffee, uniquely served in cups; I think even those who’s not into sweets will convert in a heart beat.

TIRAMISU.

All in all, the dishes on the PAX menu are simple, unpretentious yet delightful!

Service in PAX, like in Benjarong, was friendly, efficient and quick. A very obvious character of people from Dusit Thani Dubai! Wait staff were attentive and even the main chef himself, met us graciously.

And after that well-prepared and fun Italian dinner, we flashed our ear-to-ear-smiles for posterity. A genuine proof that we truly enjoyed what we savored from PAX Ristorante & Lounge’s February 2015 menu.

Special thanks to PAX at Dusit Thani Dubai and to Danelle for the invitation!

PAX Ristorante & Lounge | 24th floor, Dusit Thani Dubai , 133, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 23335 Dubai | Lunch: Daily, 12:00 to 15:00 | Dinner: Daily, 19:00 to 23:30 | website : www.dusit.com/dusitthani/dubai | e-mail : dtdu@dusit.com