Jamie’s Italian Has Just Opened Their First Branch In Abu Dhabi

A lineup of classic Italian dishes make up the menu: everything from pizza and pasta, antipasti, robust salads and excellent desserts. Jamie’s Our Famous Plank (AED119) is a great place to start, with a tasty mix of starters and picky bits: soft, tear apart garlic bread, fried crispy ravioli fritti with a spicy arrabbiata dipping sauce, avocado and stracciatella toast bites, crispy breaded squid with a lovely saffron aioli and plump green olives. Perfect to share and try a little bit of everything, it’s a winner.

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Jamie’s Italian do their pizzas Neapolitan, rustic Italian-style, with a thin base and quality ingredients. La Stracciatella (AED84) is topped with crushed-tomato sauce, creamy stracciatella cheese, slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, rocket and Parmesan - eat it fast before the stracciatella softens the base too much! 

The pastas are tempting too, along with risotto, salads and some meaty mains like pan-seared salmon, lamb chops, chicken Milanese and even a couple of burgers  - but we’re saving those for next time. 

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Save some space for a sweet treat - Jamie's Cassata Cheesecake (AED49) beat the tiramisu for us this time - if it’s got Jamie’s name on it, surely it’s his favourite, right? - and it was demolished way too quickly. A mascarpone & pistachio cheesecake, it’s topped with candied orange compote and dark chocolate shards, a really nice blend of flavours without being overly sweet! 

Jamie’s Italian isn’t licenced - although it’s in Reem Mall, which is soon to see its first licenced venue McGettigans open, set to become the biggest Irish pub in the UAE - but there are some lovely mocktails on the menu. Lychee and raspberry flavoured Sea Breeze is a refreshing, summery drink, and beat out Capri Crush - orange, lemon and grenadine - as our pick of the day.

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Jamie’s Italian is cosy and nicely laid out - there’s a turquoise-tiled bar for whipping up mocktails, an open kitchen looking out into the mall, and plenty of comfy booths and well-spaced tables to settle into with your friends. Warm lighting and greenery make it even more inviting, and both the space and menu is family friendly with room to move and even a kids menu. Food is well-priced, and plates are substantial - you won’t leave hungry. The friendly staff will help you out with the menu if you like, and are up for a chat, adding to the welcoming vibe. Add Jamie’s Italian to your list for your next visit to Reem Mall - as well as overlooking the snow park, it’s a stone’s throw from the cinemas on Level 2, making it easy to find, and easy to linger over! 

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Jamie’s Italian 

Level 2, Reem Mall

Open: daily | 10AM - 10PM | until 12AM Friday - Sunday

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