Bawabat Al Sharq may be a bit out of the way for us townies, but a visit to this well-designed mall does offer some nice surprises, not only in retail, but also cuisine.
After a trawl around the shops we found ourselves working up a significant appetite. In the mood for Italian, we headed over to Pasta Tutti Giorni. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the mall, this recently opened eatery offers all the favourites – pasta, pizza, and insalata.
We started our meal with an enormous antipasti misto, a selection of fresh, fried and cheese covered goodies. Our favourites included the flavourful, crispy mozzarella sticks and fresh bruschetta topped with ripe tomatoes. Our guest opted for a nicely dressed chicken caesar salad. Another winner, the fresh salad is topped with delicate shards of grilled chicken and parmesan.
Already in danger of reaching capacity, we gave our stomachs a break before ordering mains. Each large portioned dish is indicative of the restaurant’s philosophy – providing homemade and hearty meals. The family feeling is also apparent when being served; staff members are both helpful and unobtrusive.
The menu offers a choice of combinations when it comes to pasta, but the farfalle and primavera sauce caught our eye. The vegetarian tomato sauce features chunks of bell pepper, broccoli, zucchini and olives. We liked our pasta topped with a generous drizzle of the spicy homemade chilli oil. The dash of heat really woke up our taste buds and is a great touch.
For dessert our dining partner opted for the classic tiramisu. Topped with a scoop of coffee-flavoured gelato, this cool treat is fantastic. We loved the light texture after such a substantial meal. Next up was an utterly sinful double chocolate cake slice. It’s practically fudge in cake form – super rich, decadent and chocolatey, we could only stomach a few delicious mouthfuls before waving the white flag in defeat.
Pasta Tutti Giorni is a great option for diners looking for value for money, prompt service and most importantly – good food. The first outlet of the popular Canadian franchise in Abu Dhabi, this restaurant will keep you coming back for more.
Details
What: Pasta Tutti Giorni
Where: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall
We Say: Try the cucumber mint mocktail – it’s delicious!
Cost: Appetisers from AED 16 to AED 52, mains from AED 42 to AED 82 and desserts AED 11 to AED 21
Contact: 02 503 1577
