Il Borro Tuscan Bistro is an Italian restaurant located within the luxurious Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel in Dubai serving authentic Tuscan cuisine. Not only does it take its name from the Il Borro estate in Tuscany, a grand, 1000-year-old site owned by the Ferragamo family, but it also borrows the traditions and ethos of the estate which aims to promote biodiveristy, organic farming and farm-to-table practices.
As a result, the menu offers elegant Tuscan classics made using seasonal, high quality ingredients, including produce grown at Il Borro where possible. Il Borro established its own organic farm in 2012, Orto del Borro, where it produces things like honey, olive oil and selected vegetables.
To start, there are a selection of raw dishes or ‘crudi’ such as hand cut Bluefin-tuna tartare with citrus dressing, roasted hazelnuts and dried cherries, and cured beef with truffled quail egg, shallot, caper, parsley and mustard. Next, guests can choose from a selection of antipasti, such as Tuscan chicken liver crostini, burrata with tomatoes and basil as well as plenty of classic salads. The remaining sections of the menu are divided into meat and fish, pasta and risotto and pizza. Opt for a carby classic such as homemade pasta with braised duck sauce and sage, pumpkin tortelli with black truffle or mushroom risotto. Main dishes, meanwhile, include more luxurious creations such as wagyu tenderloin with caramelized shallots, potatoes, porcini mushrooms and beef jus.
Attention to sourcing applies to the drinks just as much as the food, with a carefully curated wine list that reflects Tuscan grape varieties, and which have been made using sustainable practices. This includes wines made on the Il Borro estate, which are certified organic and includes wines made from a wide selection of grapes: Petruna, Borrigiano, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese blend, and a 100% Sangiovese Ros del Borro.