Salotto by Chic Nonna Review: DIFC lounge with a view

What are the ingredients for a perfect night out in Dubai? Quality service and great food being a given - at least in most local venues - other than the million dollar view (who doesn’t like to party at a place that offers a peep at the city of a million lights), great ambience is what makes a venue truly pop. And Salotto by Chic Nonna, the chic two-story gourmet Italian osteria, located in the heart of DIFC, has it in plenty.

On a recent weeknight, we make our way through the bustling Italian restaurant downstairs and step into the plush lounge area on the second floor, which has a luxe living-room vibe to it. The Italian leather couches and DJ booth, notwithstanding, we opt to sit out in the open terrace where we are offered a spectacular view of a glittering Burj Khalifa as well as an under-construction multi-storied building, testimony to the city’s perennial growth spurt.

Once we settle down, with a welcome appetizer - fresh off the oven bread topped with olives - we are soon made aware of the venue’s other 'hidden' attraction. The raised stage, which had hitherto gone unnoticed, merged as it was behind the long James Bond-esque bar, suddenly came alive with a piano player and a jazz singer taking centrestage. And just like that we are transported into another world, with a strong New York vibe, serenaded by the most luscious voice. The venue had by now picked up pace - a heavy mix of post office hours suit-clad dapper men (after all we are in the heart of DIFC) complimented by those out for a fun night.

Glasses clink over the hum of leisurely conversations as servers flit around topping up half empty goblets, offering a suggestion here and a recommendation there. The lounge menu, as is the wont at such venues, seems basic but with an unmistakable touch of luxe - think caviar and truffle loaded potatoes. So it wasn’t hard to hit upon the truffle topped mac and cheese and the creamy lasagna along with a sampling of oysters and lobster topped with caviar. Everything was rich and hearty with the freshly baked bread that arrived first at the table, the yummiest of the lot.