BysairaFOOD & DRINKSJanuary, 2025

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES

Sienna is a charming and chic Italian Restaurant located at the Grosvesnor House in Dubai Marina.

Siena is a vibrant new-ish edition to the culinary scene of Dubai Marina. This casually chic Ristorante Italiano at the iconic Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai will transport you to straight to the heart of Italy.

Beautifully decorated in warm hues of dusky pink and emerald green with statement chandeliers and an open kitchen, it is an inviting and homely space. Bringing the outdoors in, abundant greenery and Mediterranean style foliage drapes the venue, while vivid Italian tiles adorn the floors and beautiful Italian-style wallpaper lines the walls, creating a ‘Ciao Bella’ aesthetic. Emerald green marble countertops and the striking sweeping bar effortlessly infuse the space with timeless beauty, while a mirror feature wall adds depth and brightness, and a stylish pink velvet sofa is where chic meets comfort.

We chose to take a seat inside at a cosy table, but made a mental note to dine alfresco on the wraparound terrace with gorgeous views overlooking the Dubai Marina waters, on our next visit.

Head Chef Alessandro Mirabelli, an Italian culinary maestro has curated a menu that celebrates Italian flavours, from classic to signature dishes created with home-style cooking, with a nod to traditional recipes passed down from generations, to more complex and colourful gourmet dishes.

The must-order dishes on the menu all speak for themselves, including the nostalgic Gamberi Rossi Siciliani, Slow-Cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek, and Homemade Tagliolino with Clams, Seaweed and Lemon Zest.

The impressive Bar Di Pesce is a standout seafood bar, that showcases a daily selection of the very best shellfish and seafood – from fresh oysters and prawns to a range of fresh fish. If you’re feeling indulgent then take your pick from a range of seafood, and the chefs will prepare it in their preferred cooking style.

Our antipasti, the playfully named Signora le cozze, was a heavenly mussel guazzetto with lemon and spicy compote that was accompanied by a marinara bite. We had heard that the handmade pasta dishes are the stars of the show at Siena, so we went straight for the primi.

We highly recommend ordering the risotto with mushrooms, hazelnut chips and charcoal crumble-this is a dish full of surprises and looks just as fabulous as it tastes.

The dessert selection is a real treat, everything from the light tiramisu to the rich burrata ice cream—each bite is pure Italian bliss.

Siena combines authentic Italian flavours, a charming atmosphere and warm Italian service, making it our top choice for a cozy Italian dinner in the neighbourhood.