A Venetian culinary experience is coming to The Hidden Hog
An authentic Venice-inspired tasting menu will be served on May 6 from 7pm – 10pm For Dubai diners looking for a new culinary experience to enjoy, The Hidden Hog will be hosting an exclusive Venetian-inspired dinner on May 6 from 7pm – 10pm, showcasing classic dishes from the famed Italian destination. Dinner reservations are now being taken for the one-off, food-led event that’ll see a delectable seven-course menu served to guests at the cosy bistro tucked away in the heart of DIFC. Crafted by Italian chef Enrico Paiola, dinner will begin with Venetian-style small plates of baccala mantecato (creamy cod crostino), cozze gratinate (mussel gratin), polpette fritte (deep fried meatballs), and polenta & salami. An incredibly indulgent pasta course of bigoli with duck ragout will ensue, followed by the main course of branzino crosta di patate (potato-crusted sea bass). A traditional Venetian dessert of frittole Veneziane con cioccolata (Venetian chocolate doughnuts) will bring the experience to a close. Priced at AED 237 per person for the tasting menu, guests can also opt to add a bottle of white or red grape for AED 117. On the night, diners can expect an inviting, laid-back atmosphere paired with unmistakable European hospitality and charm by The Hidden Hog’s predominantly Italian native team. As seating is limited, reservations are required for this event. The Hidden Hog is located on Floor 3 of Building 3 in DIFC’s Gate Village 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is open daily from 10am – 3am. For more information or reservations, call +971 (0) 4364 0126, e-mail [email protected], visit thehiddenhog.com, or follow @thehiddenhog on Instagram.
Journey to Sardinia with The Hidden Hog
Guests can expect an authentic Sardinian-curated tasting menu using a host of ingredients from the sought-after Italian seaside destination on April 10 Inviting guests to journey to the ultra-luxe island destination of Sardinia for one-night only, The Hidden Hog will host a special Sardinian Dinner in partnership with Is Mellus – importers of specialty ingredients from Sardinia to Dubai – on April 10 from 7pm; a diary date for any avid Italian cuisine lover. For AED 237 per person, diners will enjoy a four-course menu and a welcome cocktail of 16-hours infused single origin coffee Negroni, all paired with sounds from the idyllic isle. Curated and prepared by The Hidden Hog’s Italian chef Enrico Paiola, the Sardinian evening will begin with mixed charcuterie, cheese and grilled vegetables with carasau bread. Traditional malloreddus alla campidanese with sausages and pecorino cheese is served next, followed by mains of tender suckling pig with crispy roasted potatoes and mixed salad. The evening is brought to a close with a classic Sardinian dessert of Seadas – sweet pastries filled with pecorino and lemon zest that are deep-fried and drizzled with eucalyptus honey. Tucked away in the heart of DIFC, The Hidden Hog presents an inviting, laid-back atmosphere paired with unmistakable European hospitality and charm by its predominantly Italian native team. As seating is limited, reservations are required for this event. The Hidden Hog is located on Floor 3 of Building 3 in DIFC’s Gate Village 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is open daily from 10am – 3am. For more information or reservations, call +971 (0) 4364 0126, e-mail [email protected], visit thehiddenhog.com, or follow @thehiddenhog on Instagram.
The Hidden Hog in DIFC launches new pork-led tasting menu
Offering diners a gourmet evening without the hefty price tag, The Hidden Hog’s new four-course tasting menu is priced at AED 117 and is now available daily from 7pm – 11.30pm. For an indulgent dining experience that goes easy on the purse strings, The Hidden Hog – DIFC’s only pork licensed restaurant – has launched a new tasting menu. Priced at AED 117 per person for four-courses the menu is now available every day from 7pm – 11.30pm at the modern European bistro & bar. Showcasing delicious Italian-inspired dishes prepared by The Hidden Hog’s chef Enrico Paiola, the set dinner menu begins with a classic charcuterie board featuring mixed pork cold cuts, vegetables and carasau bread, followed by a choice of pulled pork ravioli with buttery sage, or pappardelle campidanese with pork sausage, saffron & shaven pecorino. Slow-cooked braised pork cheek is served for the main event, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and lashings of onion gravy. Traditional warm apple crumble with vanilla clotted cream brings the experience to a sweet end. Not just for the pork lovers, The Hidden Hog caters to all tastes and preferences with a vegetarian tasting menu also available for AED 117. On the meat-free menu, guests can expect to enjoy a decadent asparagus flan with aged parmesan fondue, roasted broccoli and almonds. Spinach & ricotta ravioli with cherry tomatoes & basil is served next, followed by pumpkin Milanese with mixed-leaf salad, and apple crumble for dessert. Tucked away in the heart of DIFC, The Hidden Hog is a concealed gem serving elevated traditional European cuisine. Presenting an inviting, laid-back atmosphere paired with unmistakable European hospitality and charm by its predominantly Italian native team, The Hidden Hog is a licensed venue serving great food and drinks – offering many Dubai expats a taste of traditional home comforts. The Hidden Hog is located on Floor 3 of Building 3 in DIFC’s Gate Village 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is open daily from 10am – 3am. For more information or reservations, call +971 (0) 4364 0126, e-mail [email protected], visit thehiddenhog.com, or follow @thehiddenhog on Instagram.
Dining experience: Mina Brasserie, Four Seasons DIFC
A visit to Mina Brasserie in Dubai promises a classy yet fun affair. Located in the culinary hot spot of DIFC, MINA Brasserie has gone from strength to strength under the culinary direction of famed American chef Michael Mina since its opening early 2018. During our visit on a Friday evening, it was clear to see that MINA is one of DIFC’s firm favourites, with not a seat to spare past 8.30pm – so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on visiting. The beautifully designed modern brasserie features both indoor and outdoor seating on the covered terrace, where a live band plays during the evening, ensuring the vibe is alive and upbeat. Seats on the terrace book up first, we’re told, and I quickly understand why as the scene is beautiful – romantic tear-drop pendant lights hang from the ceiling, lush greenery surrounds the venue and centerpiece trees make the room feel cosy. It’s a beautiful ambiance. As the evening goes on, the vibe becomes livelier, with the band hopping from table to table to get the party started – it’s a really fun, sophisticated and inviting place to be. On the menu The menu at MINA boasts a delightful selection of modern European dishes that showcase seasonal fish, seafood, and meat, all of which are hearty and of a fine dining standard. Highlights to start include the oak-grilled octopus, cooked tenderly and served with flavour-bursting black garlic, tomato five ways and a crispy onion ring. The tuna tartare is equally as impressive, fresh and generously chopped, served with sesame-habanero oil, garlic and mint. For main, the wagyu fillet was cooked to medium rare perfection, served with an indulgent side of macaroni & cheese. For something a little lighter, the Dover sole is a fantastic option, served with a caviar-caper sauce and asparagus. We’d highly recommend getting a side of crispy Brussel sprouts for your table – the soy, honey-glazed sprouts were absolutely divine, and our table polished the bowl off without hesitation. A perfect dessert for sharing of Baked Alaska with fresh raspberries and mango purée offered a fruity, refreshing end to the dining experience. The details MINA Brasserie is a gorgeous restaurant offering a very high standard of food, in a classy yet fun atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot for a date night with your other half, or a venue to celebrate an occasion at with a small group of close friends or family, over fantastic food and beverages into the earlier hours. For more information, call 04-5060100 or visit minabrasserie.com.