Esca Restaurant Celebrates Authentic Italian Offering with New Menus by Guest Chef Claudio Filippone

Dubai, UAE, 29 January 2012 – Southern Sun Qamardeen Hotel’s popular Esca Restaurant cements its reputation as the Italian all-day dining destination in Dubai with a special menu promotion highlighting authentic Italian dishes by guest Michelin-star chef and food stylist Claudio Filippone.

Chef Filippone’s creations will be available in three formats – a set 4-course Menu di Tavola available every evening, a family-style Esca Italian Weekend Lunch served to the table with an accompanying buffet spread, as well as a new interpretation of Esca Restaurant’s A-la-Carte Menu.

The culinary promotion was launched with a celebratory opening night on January 26th with grape pairings by Italian viniculturists Torti. A first taste of the Italian Weekend Lunch on January 27th was also met with a very enthusiastic welcome by Dubai diners.  

Chef Filippone’s inspiring Menu di Tavola features a delicious selection of traditional Italian favourites – salads, Minestrone soup, mains of tender beef, rabbit, chicken or lamb and luscious desserts such as Panna Cotta Zaferano and Tiramisu Legera, all rendered to reflect the authentic taste of Italy through the use of traditional ingredients and cooking techniques.

The family-style Italian Weekend Lunch features hearty dishes made with traditional Italian ingredients and includes favourites such as Tuscan bread salad, grilled artichokes, eggplant lasagna, mussels gratin and delicious desserts found in every Italian kitchen such as Zeppolle (sweet fritters served with custard and dusted with sugar) and the refreshing Italian trifle Zuppa di Inglese.

The A-la-carte menu also features a selection of popular Italian favourites and less familiar but equally delicious traditional dishes such as Octopus salad, local Italian cheeses and desserts such as the Sicilian fruitcake Cassata al Siciliana.

“The idea of inviting Chef Filippone to create the special promotional menus was to showcase the breadth of the Italian culinary repertoire and celebrate the cuisine of one of the world’s most exciting gastronomic destinations,” said Chef Bernd Geiger, Complex Executive Chef, Southern Sun Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels. “Esca restaurant is keen to allow diners to experience more than the usual dishes one is accustomed to finding on Italian menus here in Dubai. By bringing more Italian chefs and their signature dishes to the city we hope to grant diners here the opportunity to enjoy a different – and more authentic – culinary experience.”

The 4-course Menu di Tavola by Chef Claudio Filippone is available for AED 155 and for AED 275 when paired with selected grape beverages.  The Esca Italian Weekend Lunch by Chef Claudio Filippone is available for AED 195 or for AED 245 with select grape beverages.

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Qamardeen Hotel:  Nestled in the heart of Downtown Dubai, Southern Sun Qamardeen Hotel enjoys a prime location next to the spectacular Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain, and combines the best business amenities with a relaxing array of recreational facilities and popular dining outlets.  Merging traditional hospitality with every modern comfort, this 186-room deluxe property adorned with traditional Arabesque accents is the ideal home for guests travelling to Dubai for business or pleasure.

ESCA RESTAURANT:  Indulge in the rich culinary delights of Italy with a dinner buffet and à la carte menu at Esca, a chic all-day dining restaurant that comfortably seats 120 people amidst elegant interiors and ambiance. A state-of-the-art oven serves baked bread and pizza in a variety of flavours to complete an authentic Italian culinary experience.  As a morning treat, Esca serves a fantastic international buffet and a lunch menu that offers an eclectic mix of international gastronomic favorites. A wide selection of salads, cold appetizers and hot dishes from the buffet are available as well as an array of delectable desserts for a truly fulfilling taste adventure, complimented by a refreshing beverage and bar list that includes a variety of exotic cocktails and the very best of still and sparkling wines. Completing Esca Restaurant’s unforgettable dining experience is the superb and accommodating service provided by the Chef and his team.

Southern Sun
Southern Sun Hotels prides itself in over 40 years of experience in providing world-class hospitality in properties across Africa. In 2007, the award-winning hotel group expanded its portfolio in the Middle East with the opening of Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels, offering its trademark luxurious accommodation at competitive rates.