Rialto Restaurant & Bar

Rialto is Dubai’s latest attempt to bottle the Venetian spirit. From an impressive stable of new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab restaurants, it is the crown jewel, glamorously modern yet refined, celebrating the classic flavours of Northern Italy. The décor is all shimmering marble and theatrical lighting, as if La Fenice met a luxury yacht and decided to open a trattoria. Meanwhile, the Rialto Bar, located opposite the restaurant, is infused with the seductive charm and timeless allure of 1950s Italy and is the well-suited spot for an aperitivo or post-meal cocktail –the Rialto Negroni consists of truffle-washed Tanqueray with Campari, toasted coconut, red vermouth and roasted coffee. In typical Jumeirah style, you’re ushered in by staff so polished you suspect they’re on loan from the Lido, and, if seated outside, with views across Jumeirah Marina. Inside, the dining room is relatively small, helping to create a more polished and personalised dining and guest experience. The wine list is a grand tour of Italian ambition, with prices to match, and there is a good selection of big-name and small-grower Champagnes labels. The food, executed by executive chef Roberto Rispoli, features hearty northern Italian pastas, fried courgette flowers and chunks of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. We would also suggest octopus carpaccio, lobster linguine with Datterino tomatoes, and, of course, saving space for dessert – and a Limoncello di Sorrento digestive. Rialto is unashamedly showy, delightfully over-the-top, and, while it may not quite capture the soul of Venice, it certainly nails the spectacle. The food is big and bold with many plates presented for sharing, but it never detracts from the authentic flavours.

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