IL FARO TRATTORIA & LOUNGE

Is there more to this new Italian than just a pretty facade?

l Faro first caught our eye when we were cruising around The Palm on a yacht. Set on its own little tongue of land, surrounded by rocks, the lighthousestyle structure is pretty as a picture.

It’s important to note there are actually two parts to this Italian restaurant – the trattoria and the lounge. The cute circular outpost acts as the latter, serving up woodfired pizzas and drinks. For the full menu, you’ll need to sit in the main restaurant, tucked beneath the Azure residential building. Though less visually appealing than the lighthouse, the trattoria still has a lovely ambience, with warm lighting, exposed brick walls and a beautiful tiled floor – almost like stepping into a real Italian mama’s kitchen (one with a keen

Isense of style). We decided to sit outside to make the most of the views. While pleasant, it could be jazzed up with a few strings of fairy lights and music. The only soundtrack is the occasional whoop from a party boat. We have been assured they are working on this.

Our waitress recommended the chef ’s selection of starters (Dhs129), which included a pillow of the softest, creamiest, burrata cheese, imported straight from Sicily. Forget sharing, we could have easily had a huge mound to ourselves as a main.

Inspired by our seaside setting, we opted for a plate of grilled seafood (Dhs145), with generous portions of sea bass, salmon, calamari, prawns and baby octopus. It was tasty but forgettable, and we regret not choosing the lasagna (Dhs72), a classic that is already earning Neapolitan head chef Fabio Tramontano rave reviews. We were wholly seduced by the dessert menu. The chocolate and hazelnut rocher (Dhs35) is a crowd-pleaser, probably because it tastes exactly like an oversized Ferrero Rocher. Another winner was the cannoli siciliani (Dhs39), crispy shells filled with sweet ricotta, studded with chocolate chips and garnished with pistachio crumbs.

After our meal, we popped over to the lounge for some expertly mixed drinks. It’s a totally different vibe to the main restaurant – much more laidback and lively.

We’d definitely return to the lighthouse to try the pizzas, and would consider revisiting the trattoria for dessert.

Azure Residences, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (04) 568 3137. Taxi: Azure Residences. ilfaro.ae