Beauty Begins at the Mediterranean Table: Scalini Dubai Reopens

7 days ago

4 min read

Looking for an elegant Italian dining experience in Dubai this Christmas?

Scalini Dubai, a beloved Italian dining destination in the city, reopened on 1 September 2026 following an elegant renovation.

At the heart of its refreshed setting and cuisine lies Italy’s rich culinary heritage, celebrating the natural beauty of fresh ingredients. Colourful vegetables, seafood and olive oil bring the Mediterranean approach to the table, making Italian cuisine a lovely choice for a festive gathering.

Why not spend this Christmas enjoying a leisurely Italian meal with someone special?

The Italian Art of Letting Ingredients Take Centre Stage

With this renewal, Scalini Dubai embraces a clear philosophy: to evolve with the times while remaining true to the identity it has always valued.

The same philosophy runs through the menu. Rather than concealing ingredients beneath unnecessary complexity, each dish is designed to bring out their individual character. The result is cuisine that feels simple yet generous, both in flavour and presentation.

Francesco Cortorillo, Executive Chef at Scalini Dubai, explains:

“Scalini Dubai’s next chapter is rooted in the belief that Italian cooking is most powerful when exceptional ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves. Each dish honours its origins while bringing the warmth, theatre and generosity that define the Scalini experience to the table.”

Red Prawn Crudo Capturing the Vibrancy of Sicily

One of the chef’s signature dishes is Crudo di Gamberi Rossi di Mazara.

Raw red prawns from Mazara del Vallo, a port town on Sicily’s southwestern coast, are paired with yellow Datterino tomatoes, Sicilian white grape vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, basil and a gentle touch of fresh chilli.

The delicate sweetness of the red prawns is balanced by the bright acidity of the tomatoes and white grape vinegar, followed by the subtle heat of fresh chilli. Its vivid palette of red, yellow and green captures the vitality of Sicilian cuisine.

Celebrating Lobster

For National Lobster Day on 25 September, Scalini Dubai presents spaghetti with a whole fresh lobster and a lobster risotto finished with basil and lemon. Through Chef Francesco Cortorillo’s cooking, the restaurant offers guests new ways to enjoy Italian cuisine through seasonal and themed dining experiences.

PASTALICIOUS: World Pasta Week

From 26 October to 1 November, Scalini Dubai celebrates World Pasta Week with PASTALICIOUS, a special menu dedicated to Italian pasta craftsmanship.

The selection includes Paccheri Cacio e Pepe, Limone e Gambero Rosso, Pici ’Nduja e Pomodorino Giallo, and Spaghetti all’Astice with lobster, cherry tomatoes, garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil.

A live fresh pasta station will also allow guests to watch the team prepare dough and demonstrate a variety of pasta shapes and colours, bringing the traditions and craft of Italian pasta-making to the table.

A Light and Vibrant Dish of Prawns and Asparagus

For a lighter expression of Mediterranean cuisine, Insalata di Gamberi e Asparagi brings together grilled prawns, white and green asparagus, and avocado in a fresh, beautifully balanced salad.

Centred around seafood and vegetables, the dish invites guests to enjoy contrasting colours and textures. It also reflects EFL’s view of beauty food—not as a restrictive diet, but as a food culture to be experienced through all the senses.

Transforming Humble Zucchini into a Memorable Pasta

Inspired by a traditional dish from the Amalfi Coast, Linguine alla Nerano places the humble zucchini at centre stage.

Thinly sliced Italian zucchini is gently fried, then slowly finished with linguine, fresh basil and Provolone del Monaco, a distinctive cheese from southern Italy.

Through a time-honoured technique, simple ingredients are transformed into a rich, silky and memorable dish. It reflects the wisdom of Italian cooking, where depth and character do not depend on extravagant ingredients.

Also featured is Tartara di Manzo, a beef tartare prepared with two varieties of mustard, capers, fresh chives and extra-virgin olive oil. Finished tableside, the dish turns the act of preparation into a personal exchange between the restaurant team and its guests.

Mediterranean Colours and Light Surround the Table

Beyond the cuisine, the setting in which guests gather and dine has also been thoughtfully transformed.

Scalini’s signature blue and yellow tones are layered with ivory, striped fabrics and deep navy accents, creating a design evocative of Italy’s coastline and historic seaside destinations. In the main dining room, a coffered ceiling with natural textured inserts, warm timber finishes and plush blue velvet seating establish an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting.

At its centre, the open kitchen offers guests a closer view of the skill, energy and rhythm behind every dish.

Beneath a white pergola, the veranda unfolds as a bright Mediterranean garden, framed by flourishing citrus trees, traditional lanterns, woven chairs and striped textiles. The space takes inspiration from the shaded courtyards and coastal terraces of the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and the Italian Riviera.

At the entrance, intricately patterned blue majolica tiles evoke Sicily’s rich decorative traditions. Cuisine, craftsmanship and interior design come together to express the enduring sense of beauty woven into Italian life.

The Art of Eating Beautifully

Beauty food is about more than nutrients alone.

Choosing seasonal ingredients, appreciating their colours and aromas, and sharing a table with others in a welcoming setting are all part of the experience. Through its renewed cuisine and interiors, Scalini Dubai reflects a Mediterranean food culture that enriches not only what we eat, but the entire ritual of dining.

Retaining the intimacy of a traditional trattoria while embracing a contemporary sense of beauty, Scalini Dubai begins its renewed chapter. A developing calendar of seasonal dining experiences and limited-time offerings will also be introduced in the months ahead.