Simply Abu Dhabi XIII

7 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I As we were seated on the terrace, we took in the magnificent view of the sunset glinting off the golden sands of the Corniche, and the jewel-like blue of the Arabian Gulf just beyond. To our delight, the food began arriving almost immediately – fragrant bread and aromatic olive oil dips to enjoy as we perused the appetising menu. Given the St. Regis brand’s passion for impeccable service, we were not surprised at all to find our server was warm, welcoming, and gifted with an incredible eye for detail. He took his time in going over the menu with us, explaining the dishes and making recommendations. He explained to us Villa Toscana’s philosophy of serving authentic, hand-crafted specialities from the various regions of Italy. Tuscany is represented with ‘chianina’ (Italian beef); Emilia-Romagna contributes with the finest cured meat; Romagna offers lamb, polenta, and pasta dishes; and a taste of Lombardy is experienced through its great variety of risottos and wonderful cheeses. The imprint of Sicily, Apulia, and Calabria can also be found on the menu, which shows traces of all of the rich culinary cultures of Southern Italy. The Chef de Cuisine is Stefano Viola, who hails from the Italian region of Tuscany, and