Mamsha Al Saadiyat’s new Italian restaurant.
If you have had the immeasurable pleasure of visiting Mamsha Al Saadiyat over the past month then you will fully understand why many are tipping the location as the place to be when the weather cools down to optimal levels.
Stacked full of big-name restaurants and with plenty more to come in the pipeline, the boardwalk is definitely one of the hottest go to spots in Abu Dhabi should you feel a rumble in your belly. And one of the newest members of the culinary family in the area is the exquisitely pretty Antonia.
The brainchild of head chef and owner, Simone Federici, the venue (named after his grandma) serves up delicious flavours of Rome that are sprinkled with Nonna’s love and with palates that are partial to a slice a pizza, Team Yalla took a trip down to Soul Beach for a nibble.
Upon entering, guests are greeted with an insta-tastic venue with white, cherry red and mint green shades lighting up the place. Instahuns will no doubt flock to the establishment for the beautiful interiors but our advice is to grab a chair outside where you can people watch or just take in the magnificent view of the pristine sands of Soul Beach and the clear-blue water of the Arabian Gulf.
When it comes to eating, the food card (as wonderfully colourful as the surroundings) throws up all the tastes of Rome that any gastronome who adores Italian fare would expect as well as cuisine from the streets of the Eternal City.
We kick off the meal with the crispy balls of supplì. A very close relation to arancini balls, this Roman treat is filled with risotto, Bolognese and mozzarella and is absolutely moreish to the point that you could easily forego the pizza for more.
Containing ourselves to one each, up next is the pizza which has been fermented for 72 hours, made with 80 per cent water, Italian flour, olive oil, salt and a proprietary, 50-year-old sour dough passed down through family generations. Shaped like a rectangle, we plump for the Tartufo e Funghi that is covered on Scamorza cheese, wild mushroom and truffle sauce. It is light but doughy and ever so tasty.
Dessert sees the likes of cannoli and baba’ sponge cake make an appearance on the menu but the tiramisu is our pick should you feel the need for a sweet kick. But just be sure to order one as one bowl was enough for three of us.
Antonia is also licensed restaurant so you can enjoy the setting of the sun with a cool bottle of Italian hops or an Italian mixed drink while tucking into some top-notch Italian grub.
We had great hopes for Antonia and just like the food, it really hit the mark. Team Yalla certainly approves as would Grandma Antonia.
For more information follow Antonia on its social media pages