locked in the room for three days and been happy , but of course there was the hotel and the city to explore .
In fact the hotel is primely situated and offers a daily shuttle bus to the Dubai Mall which is home to not only an amazing array of shops , boutiques and restaurants but also to the Dubai Aquarium and the world ’ s tallest building , The Burj Khalifa . From the Mall it is also easy to take taxis across the city to explore attractions , restaurants and beaches .
Back from sightseeing , the only destination for us was the pool ! Set at the rear of the Palazzo the infinity pool is a delightful way to cool off from those Dubai temperatures and is an oasis of calm , as palm trees sway around the relaxation inspiring cabana beds and loungers .
If that relaxation isn ’ t enough , the hotel also has a spa with double treatment rooms , private pool terraces , jacuzzi tubs and relaxation lounges , or for the more energetic a fully equipped gym .
And then there are the restaurants and bars … and we all can appreciate that Italians not only know their fashion they also certainly know their food .
Offerings include relaxed poolside Mediterranean fare at Amalfi where healthy salads and pizzas are offered ; afternoon teas , light bites and dinner in the Grand Lobby ’ s Mosaico with its floor to ceiling windows , creek views and elegant furnishings ; to all-day dining and that renown Dubai Friday Brunch , at the Giardino – a little indoor Garden of Eden , with its marble flooring , green mosaic columns and walls decorated in a special edition of the iconic Versace Jungle print ( think that J-Lo dress …); the nature tribute continues on a menu featuring local market ingredients , showcased in live cooking stations for interactive dining ; or how about the truly immersive experience that awaits guests at Enigma , an exclusive intimate avante-garde dining room where the world ’ s best chefs story tell their lives and inspirations through a unique menu .
There is also Gazebo – a shisha lounge offering Moroccan , Turkish and Lebanese mezze on the terrace ; the glamourous La Vita – the chic destination for cocktails , boutique wines and craft beers ; and , opening in September , Quincy Jones ’ first-ever bar Q ’ s , which is set to become the most intimate lounge and supper club in Dubai with an array of performances from future music stars selected by the music legend himself .
Our destination for the evening however was the Vanitas , the Palazzo Versace ’ s signature Italian Restaurant , set creekside to offer a beautiful backdrop for an intimate and cosy dining experience in a classic Italian palace room with handmade wall decorations featuring the Grottesche Italiane .
At the helm is chef de cuisine Andrea Gaia , an evidently passionate , creative yet humble culinary genius who aims to harness authentic , rustic and traditional Italian techniques – even using herbs fresh picked from the hotel ’ s gardens – and boy , does he deliver ! From our dolcelatte mousse , melon jelly and potato crisp amuse bouche to our Palazzo Versace after-dinner mint , we were not disappointed .
Not afraid of greeting guests at the table , Andrea and his enthusiastic and knowledgeable front of house staff were able to offer menu and wine suggestions taking into account personal preferences and allergies enabling us to achieve an amazing tailored menu selection which began with the polenta e baccala – a perfectly formed , chilled and grilled polenta cake adorned with marinated tiger prawns and pachino tomato ; and the burrata caseificio artigiana – a heady , smooth dolcelatte cheese with heirloom tomato and grilled focaccia .
We were then treated to a sneak preview of a new menu offering : the bon scallop , and it was divine ! The delicate scallop was seared before being steamed in its own milk to finish the cooking before being served with a zingy lemon and passionfruit posset and beetroot mayo , beetroot crisp and charred greens – it ' s my new favourite scallop dish !
For our pasta courses I again had a cheese theme with a thin potato gnocchi ravioli with pecorino cheese and black pepper asparagus
mousse accompanied with fresh green peas and mint , whilst my guest was treated to a lobster carbonara tortellini with zucchini foam , lobster bisque and deep fried gnocchi .
Excited for more , we were treated to a little tableside theatre as my guest ’ s glacier 51 cartoccio was served . The delicate black cod was removed from its paper cooking dish and presented at the table with a crispy potato fish cake , black ink spaghetti and a rich tomato and olive puttanesca sauce . On my side of the table , I was amazed by my slow-cooked tender lamb . Served with a wafer-thin potato crostini , pumpkin gnocchi and zucchini foam , the dish was as delicious as it was beautiful .
And of course there was dessert . My guest and I shared the clever , delicate and exquisite citrus and basil crescent – a perfectly formed white chocolate crescent with basil caviar , lemon verbena , sorbet and foam ; and the theatrical Piedmont hazelnut and dark chocolate circle , where the dome of bitter chocolate was melted by a rich chocolate sauce to reveal praline ice cream and sour cherry compote ; and they were seriously good ! And with dinner finished with rich Italian coffee and yet more creative flair in the form of the glass-encased petit fours , it was the perfect end to our trip . In fact and without doubt , any trip to Dubai needs to feature dinner at Vanitas !
The only surprising thing about the fact that the Palazzo Versace has just been named Best New Hotel at the 6th Middle East Hotel Awards is that it did so within just six months of opening , and before its official launch in November of this year ! Its win is utterly deserved , a testament to the many years of planning , attention to detail and the effortless service offered by all staff , and I ’ m sure it will be the first of many accolades to come .
Palazzo Versace Dubai info @ palazzoversace . ae www . palazzoversace . ae
@ palazzoversace / PalazzoVersaceDubai
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