From its inception in Venice, Italy in 1931, the Cipriani brand has since established itself all over the world, with a reputation for simple, traditional Italian food, presented with love.
These restaurants dotted over the globe pride themselves on having staff put passion into everything they do, and the brand’s outlet at Yas Marina on Yas Island is no exception. From the welcoming hostess at the front desk, to charming restaurant manager Edoardo Minervini, all the way through to the attentive and knowledgable staff, everyone associated with Cipriani’s shows unswerving dedication to making sure your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional.
The setting and décor only add to the sense of luxury, with the clean lines and nautical themes prevalent everywhere you look. But the ‘proof is in the pudding’, as they say, and the food on offer at Cipriani’s maintains the same level of quality as the surroundings and the staff, who make sure that any diner feel as comfortable as if they were dining at home.
Sat on the terrace, overlooking the Yas Marina Circuit and the iconic Yas Viceroy Hotel, the appetisers were sampled; a chicken salad, fresh ‘Burrata’ in foglia’, which came served with plum tomatoes and olives, and a plate of carpaccio al Cipriani. The carpaccio was delicate and delicious, the salad fresh and flavoursome, but it was the Burrata that caught and held the attention. Sublimely soft yet bursting with decadent flavour, it was the pick of the starters.
For the main courses, we chose the Chilean sea bass ‘alla Carlina’, which came served with rice pilaf, and a roasted rack of lamb, which came with ‘Mix Peperonata’. The fish succumbed easily to the fork, the flesh flaking and full of flavour, while the lamb was dark and tangy, with a saltiness that demanded your tastebuds pay full attention.
The desserts were next, with a selection for us to try; tiramisu, the traditional Italian classic; a lemon tart; a vanilla meringue… and the table’s favourite, a serving of freshly made vanilla ice cream. The tiramisu was a light, coffee-infused masterpiece, potent and perfect. The tart and the meringue both deserved their places on the menu too, but the simple serving of vanilla ice cream was fantastic: creamy, sweet and smooth, it was the best possible denouement to a devastatingly good experience.
Cipriani’s on Yas exudes quality, in every way. The brand’s global reputation is in safe hands in Abu Dhabi.
Details
What: Cipriani
Where: Yas Yacht Club, Yas Island
Prices: Appetisers from AED 39, Mains from AED 170, Desserts AED 50
We say: Exceptional food, with hospitality to match
Contact: 02 657 5400
