Massimo Bottura - creative mastermind behind the celebrated three Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana in Modena, and arguably the most influential chef on the planet, arrived in Dubai with his first restaurant outside of Italy - Torno Subito. With an enviable beachside location at the Palm Jumeirah, Torno Subito is Bottura's homage to the Italian Riviera of the 1960s, offering a dining experience that is chic and elegant, but still relaxed. Unlike Bottura's much-lauded Modena flagship, there's no pomp and circumstance here - guests can enjoy classic but elevated Italian cooking and choose to eat it on the beach or in the restaurant.
The kitchen is led by Bernardo Paladini, a Bottura protégé who spent seven years in the kitchen at Osteria Francescana as well as Frenceschetta 58, also in Modena. Now head chef of Torno Subito, Paladini is the perfect person to bring Bottura's style to Dubai, whilst also displaying his own insight and culinary talents.
The a la carte menu at Torno Subito starts with, well, starters. The modern salad is a mixed salad that has evolved over time at Osteria Francescana, and now makes its way to Torno Subito. There's also calamari fritti, beef carpaccio with horseradish and artichoke chips, and a rock lobster roll - exactly the sort of food you want to eat on the riviera. Pasta dishes stick to classic comfort food - cacio e pepe, paccheri with arrabiata sauce, tagliatelle al ragu and ricotta ravioli with spinach and truffle.
Mains are largely based around meat and fish, but there are vegetarian options like beetroot, turnip and celeriac with root puree. Other mains include orange-glazed lamb saddle with red and yellow peppers, and wild cod with mashed potato, foamed bagna cauda and caviar.
The drinks menu, meanwhile, includes plenty of signature cocktails, spritz and negroni twists, as well as wines, spirits, beers and mocktails.