Sitting in the shade of olive trees on one side and the looming backlit Burj Al Arab on the other, Cala Vista’s terrace brings a touch of Italy's Amalfi Coast to the heart of Dubai.
With crockery from an Italian nonna's kitchen, the latest Jumeirah Mina A’Salam restaurant – it opened in January – manages to feel both homely and exotic.
While there is no direct translation, Cala Vista can be taken to mean looking out over the cove or “a view from above”, general manager Pasquale Sommella tells me, which is in keeping with its bid to transport diners to the Italian destination.
Where to sit and what to expect
The restaurant has both indoor and terrace seating, and is designed to take full advantage of its naturally beautiful surroundings. Circular booths are placed in the shade of an olive tree, while other tables come with water views over latticed fence work.
With views of Palm Jumeirah in the distance, the terrace is a relaxed, boho-chic affair in a raised, covered area featuring plush white cushions and wooden seating.
The menu
My dining partner and I start with a basket of soft, warm bread, delivered to the table alongside a tomato dip by our smiling server Lidia.
For starters, we order the insalata di carciofi e fiche (Dh55), an artichoke and fig salad with rocket, walnuts, truffle and balsamic dressing; and carpaccio di manzo (Dh120) made from beef striploin, rocket, Parmesan foam and basil pesto. With this and every other course, we order to share, which has the dual benefit of satisfying our taste buds and simplifying the decision-making process.
Both starters are bursting with rich flavours, especially the figs marinated in a tangy dressing. The carpaccio melts in the mouth and, despite knowing I have several more dishes to try, I am determined to finish the lot.
Pasta holds a special place in my heart, and I take great joy in showcasing its versatility
Luca Crostelli,
head chef, Cala Vista
Lemons infuse every aspect of the restaurant, from the trees to the crockery and menu. This becomes apparent when we unintentionally order two main dishes that are saturated in lemon sauce. Thankfully, the citrus base of the dentice alla griglia (Dh195), grilled red snapper served with white asparagus and lemon sauce, and the chef-recommended tagliolini al limone, served with burrata (Dh115), is rich but subtle, never overpowering the palate.
Neither dish comes with any accompaniments, so the ever-knowledgeable Lidia suggests we order a side to balance things out. We opt for grilled vegetables (Dh45), a delicious mix of chargrilled asparagus, courgette, aubergine and artichokes.
For dessert, we choose completely different dishes, to avoid our previous mishap – the classic tiramisu, recommended by head chef Luca Crostelli; and il limone, a layered lemon dish befitting of the restaurant’s theme.
No Italian menu would be complete without tiramisu, and this one is no exception. Served in two sizes – individual (Dh60) and sharing (Dh110) – the dessert walks the line perfectly between rich and creamy and light and airy. Opting for the larger size means the dish is freshly prepared tableside, with the option to request decaffeinated coffee.
Standout dish
Il limone (Dh60) unequivocally steals the show. With layers of intense flavour packed into an empty frozen lemon, this dessert hits the spot for those with a sweet tooth and those without.
The tangy lemon sorbet remains tart, complemented by a layer of lemon cream for sweetness and lemon crumble for texture. Topped with a light grating of frozen basil-infused condensed milk and served over ice, this dish alone is enough to guarantee two return customers.
A chat with the chef
Italian chef Luca Crostelli’s career has taken him from his hometown of Florence to Umbria and Geneva before he arrived in the UAE for this new venture. Working alongside Michelin-starred chefs and in three-starred venues has given him high standards, which is he is serving up to guests at the Jumeirah Mina A’Salam dining outlet.
Chef Crostelli started his culinary journey at a young age, working in his family’s restaurant during the summer holidays. With more than 14 years of experience, he describes his approach to cooking as tradi-chic – “blending traditional Italian heritage with contemporary techniques”.
Unsurprisingly for an Italian chef, his favourite ingredient to work with is pasta. “From traditional shapes to innovative textures, pasta is a canvas for creativity,” he says.
From home-made tagliatelle to tagliolini, tortelloni, linguine, pachheri and chitarrine, options abound on the menu. “Pasta holds a special place in my heart and culinary repertoire, and I take great joy in showcasing its versatility on our menu at Cala Vista,” he adds.
For vegetarian diners, chef Crostelli recommends tortelloni alla norma (Dh95), ricotta ravioli with aubergine in a tomato sauce; and, for seafood aficionados, linguine alla vongole (Dh120) – linguine clams.
“I have curated a selection of dishes that celebrate this beloved ingredient, infusing it with a harmonious blend of flavours and textures to tantalise taste buds,” he says.
The menu does branch out beyond pasta, too. For meat enthusiasts, the chef recommends la Milanese (Dh250), which he describes as a “veal Milanese, expertly prepared and served with velvety Parmesan cream and rich veal jus”.
Inspired by the rich tapestry of Italy, chef Crostelli says he strives to craft dishes that are both nostalgic and innovative. “My philosophy is simple yet profound – I want every guest to feel like they're at home, in a cosy place you just can't bear to leave,” he explains.
“As we say in Italy: ‘Come a casa.’”
Price point and contact information
Starters are priced from Dh55 to Dh120; mains cost between Dh90 and Dh295; while desserts are from Dh45 for individual servings to Dh110 to share.
Cala Vista is open daily from 12.30pm to 12.30am. Reservations can be made by contacting 800 323232.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Read more about the coronavirus
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Friday's schedule in Madrid
Men's quarter-finals
Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time
Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm
Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm
Women's semi-finals
Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm
Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
