At the new restaurant, singing and supper are a showstopper.
“I feel like we are watching the next Amy Winehouse,” enthuses my guest. We are not at Ronnie Scott’s in London, but at Adaline in Dubai. The new restaurant and bar recently opened in DIFC and is a decadent destination showcasing Italian food, drinks, and live music. So, if you are looking for a glamorous, grown-up night out, put this on your restaurant radar.
Fundamental Hospitality is behind Adaline, created by Evgeny Kuzin and the Dubai-based Chef Izu Ani. The group has led the way in Dubai’s dining scene, with restaurants including Alaya, Gaia, and Shanghai Me. Dinner and a show can be hit-or-miss in Dubai, and it can often feel more Blackpool than Las Vegas. Adaline aims to change that. Drawing inspiration from the Jazz Age, it is filled with Art Deco touches and an old-school vibe.
Upon entering, Adaline feels like you’re stepping back in time to the 1920s. After you pass through a discreet dark door, theatrical curtains open up to a spectacular space. The venue is decked out with plush seats, white tablecloths and shimmering chandeliers. Guests are encouraged not to take photos on their phones, and stickers are firmly placed on our cameras. Our waiter remarks: “It means you get to be in the moment”.
The venue boasts a bar at the back, restaurant at the front, and a stage at the heart. We are seated right by the stage, with Evgeny himself is at the next table. Even though we are seated near the music – from a piano player to trumpeter – it is never too loud and we can carry a conversation throughout our meal. The music covers Motown hits and classics, from Aretha Franklin to Sam Cooke.
Chef Izu explained: “At Adaline, we are shaping an experience that brings the soul of Italy to Dubai. The menu is a tribute to the timeless elegance of Italian cuisine, where every dish tells a story. Every detail is designed to leave a lasting impression.”
Adaline’s menu spans crudi, antipasti, salads, pasta, pizzas, terra, mare, sides and dessert and is superb for sharing. We started with the Ricciola Con La Giardiniera, which saw yellowtail, pickled vegetables artfully arranged on a pretty plate. The Panzanella was fabulously fresh with cucumber, tomatoes, marinated capsicum and ricotta mousse.
Parmigiana Di Melanzane was a creamy concoction with eggplant, a rich tomato sauce, fresh basil and nutty parmesan. Agnello Alla Romana offered tender lamb chops with artichokes and olives. Rigatoni All Vodka succeeds in its simplicity and al dente finish. If you order one dessert, make it the Tarta Limone – the lemon meringue is big enough for two, cloud-like, fluffy and terrifically tangy.
Even if you just come to Adaline for drinks, you’ll have a glitzy time. The drinks menu pays tribute to timeless cocktails. The signature cocktails range from the Bees Knees with citrus, gin and honey to the Lone Ranger with tequila. Plus, there are a range of non-alcoholic options.
The sign of an amazing night is when you don’t want it to be over. So, even when I had to call it a night, my guest stayed solo because the music was so good. May the show and Adaline go on and on.
GO: Visit www.adaline-restaurants.com for more information.
