As described on the Marea NYC website, this two Michelin-starred restaurant brings together the ‘authentic and bracing flavors of coastal Italy’ with the ‘swagger of New York’ to form ‘a new kind to gusto’. I’ve got to say, I definitely did get quite the sense of a New York restaurant at Marea, with a very quintessential DIFC flair.
The kitchen is headed by the ex-chef of Enigma at Palazzo Versace, who (if I may say so myself) seemed to be so much more at home at Marea.
Marea DIFC radiates class and elegance, but it comes across as an effortless and unpretentious way, despite the white tablecloths, leather upholstered chairs and amber-lit walls.
My bestie Zoe Bowker and I headed to Marea DIFC for a ‘casual’ meal the other night, here’s what we had and will most definitely head back for:
Potato and truffle amuse bouche. Ultimate comfort food flavor bomb for adults. If I could put the feeling of having made it in life into one bite: this would be it.
Beef Tartare. Can’t go out with Zoe Bowker to a place with beef tartare on the menu and not order it. It was nice and simple, and quite delicious even without having been doused in mustard, egg yolk and seasoning. We did need to crack some salt and drizzle some EVOO on it, but that’s ok, it’s better than wanting to take it out.
Another mandatory order when out with Zoe/or in Dubai in general: Another nice, clean and simple execution done right.
Funghi risotto made with ages aquerello rice, wild mushrooms and parmegiano. This was a much smaller than normal portion, because we requested smaller portions split between the two of us as we wanted to try more food and waste less. Suffice to say, that was a great decision because regardless of the portion size, we would’ve wiped this dish clean. Price: AED 125
Herbed ricotta-filled pansotti. Another winner, with just a crack of pepper. Another plate of comfort food that we could easily have demolished a full portion of. Price: AED 115.
I know this is starting to get repetitive, but good Italian food is really synonymous with ‘comfort food’ isn’t it? I mean, carbs + cheese+ truffle? This truffle Garganelli was a repeat order, and certainly not for the last time. The first time I went, I ate a full (giant portion), and it’s worth every bite, priced at AED 190.
Now this is where the ‘special occasion’ treat comes in. The 600 grams of Grade A7 Wagyu Costata with two sides, for AED 685. Its worth mentioning that this too was a smaller, tasting portion, and by the time we got to this course I was quite full and my marginal utility was also diminishing. That said, I savored every single melt-in-your-mouth butter, fatty bite of this medium-rare goodness. This might just have been one of the best steaks I’ve had in Dubai!
For dessert, we went with what seems to be the latest trend: my third version of a truffle-inspired/based dessert in a month, and sadly this was my least favorite one, with Roberto’s and Tresind Studio having done a better job at using this prized ingredient. To me this missed the mark texture and flavor but I did appreciate the truffle-like resemblance of the white chocolate shell.
The second dessert, however, was a complete winner! This ‘panacotta’ was actually more like a heavy triple cream, with delicate sweetness, fresh sweet and tart strawberries to cut through the richness of the cream, and tiny little basil leaves to give it that herbaceous uplift thatI love in desserts and mocktails. This was only the second time I’ve seen Zoe Bowker truly enjoying a dessert, the other time having been at Hotel Cartagena.
In case you skipped to the end and have the million dollar question in a city with an oversupply of options: would I go back? Guess what? These pictures are actually from my second visit within a single month. I forgot my camera the first time I went, tried a completely different (more seafood heavy menu), and a completely seafood-free menu the second time due to my friend’s allergies, and can’t decide which time was more impressive. It’s quite the solid menu overall.
The 3 dishes I can effortlessly recall from my first visit to Marea are the Turbot (I don’t think I’ve ever seen Turbot on a Dubai menu, please comment below if I’ve been missing out), the garganelli (but of course) and the Okra side (an unusual item on an Italian menu but so delicious).
Marea DIFC definitely joins the ranks of Ill Borro and The Artisan for me as the best Italian spots in Dubai and I highly recommend it for your next special occasion.
