Second Helpings (IV).

New seasons, menus, and special events.

Second Helpings (I, II, & III) can be found here, here, and here.

Talea by Antonio Guida*

Having visited Talea twice (once when they opened and once for lunch last year as part of a visit to EP), I was delighted to return for a stop on my recent stay at Emirates Palace. This visit was my first official meal from the restaurant’s awarded Michelin star last November. We received a delicious multi-course meal that showcased some of the kitchen’s specialties and, to be fair, included dishes I hadn’t tried before. Our favorites included one of the best Margarita pizzas, AED105; we’ve ever tried an entirely moreish Bruschetta (come for the homemade bread, stay for the Stracciatella), AED80. There was also a divine duck ravioli, AED160. The pasta game and service levels (Chef Luigi personally recorded us a message, as he couldn’t be in attendance) at Talea remain quite high.

While I prefer the more sedate (quiet) quality of Talea, I’m in the minority, as most of our group chose the meal at Hakk…