Over the weekend, my family and I dined at Luigia, an authentic Italian restaurant located in Rixos Premium Dubai, in the ever bustling JBR. We were invited to try out their Bambini Kid’s Brunch, which takes place every weekend from 12 noon to 5 pm, where kids can enjoy a pizza or pasta for free.

Looking to dine at a chic restaurant where the interiors and the vibe will transport you to Italy, well Luigia is just the place for you. May I also just say that I will not be held responsible if after your visit to Luigia, you feel compelled to book your summer holiday to Italy in search of food that’s equally good. So, what stands out at Luigia:

It’s a family affair

You don’t have to worry about the children at Luigia. Infact, parents, this is the kind of brunch you’ve been waiting for. We were seated close to the kid’s corner and my daughter, Azmu, was quick to explore what it had to offer as soon as we arrived. There is a soft play area, a reading corner with books, colouring stations, arcade games and a cinema with bean bags. Yes, a cinema, inside a restaurant! Luigia, ti amo! And if you are thinking you’re going to have to be with the kids the entire time, think again because there is even an attendant there to look after them while you are enjoying your meal at the table.

The service

The staff were not only considerate to show us to a table close to the kid’s corner, but were attentive the entire time. Whether it was to help us navigate through the menu, suggest some of their top dishes, ensuring our glasses were always topped up or suggesting me to go ahead and try their dessert even though I was fully stuffed (no, I really was), at Luigia you will feel special.

The open kitchen at the far end of the restaurant, meant you could see the cheerful chefs very happily in action, rolling out the pizza dough and pulling out freshly baked pizzas from their stone wood-fired oven. We had requested to bring Azmu’s pizza first, before our mains arrived, and it sure was at our table in no time.

While I decided to have a look around the restaurant and admire their chic interiors, high ceilings, retro light bulbs, monochrome photos of happy people, our freshly prepared food was ready at our table.

The authentic menu

Now, when I say authentic, I mean it. Luigia uses premium products that are flown into UAE, all the way from Italy atleast 3 times a week. Their naturally fermented home made dough made in house, their cheese and their secret tomato sauce oozes with Italian flavour. Even their Gelato is freshly prepared in their kitchen.

For Azmu, we chose the Margarita Pizza topped with Turkey Ham from her Bambini Brunch menu. I am so glad we got some help decoding the adult’s menu. There were not only a lot of options available on the entrees, the pizzas and the pastas; but the dishes were given their traditional names. As much as I tried to name the dishes in my best possible Italian accent, I think I failed terribly. What’s wonderful about their menu is that there are options for everyone, whether you are a vegetarian, meat lover or into seafood.

Upon recommendation we ordered Chiacchiere Napoletane, deep fried pizza dough served on a bed of datterini tomates, green olives and buffalo mozzarella, to share. Hubby went for the Lipari pizza, while I ordered the Fusilloni gamberi e zucchine. To wash it down, we both ordered a glass or fresh orange juice and a bottle of water. For dessert, hubby and I shared a plate of Tiramisu.

The Food

Luigia certainly doesn’t cut corners when it comes to the kid’s free pizza. What we thought might be a small 4 slice pizza, turned out to be a pizza big enough for an adult. I did have a bite and thought the sauce and the cheese were perfectly flavoured and seasoned.

My bowl of Fusilloni gamberi e zucchine pasta tasted nothing like I expected it to. The thinly sliced zucchini held its flavour, the shrimps were bursting with moisture and the dish was saucy enough with hints of olive oil and fresh parsley

The toppings on the Lipari pizza must have been plucked from a nearby farm, because the seeded Gaeta olives and the basil tasted fresh. The smoked turkey ham and beef salami on the pizza complemented well with the cheese and even with all these toppings, the thin pizza base didn’t feel soggy.

The recommended Chiacchiere Napoletane was something I’ve not had before, so was clueless as to how the dish would be served. The pizza dough was light, airy and most certainly enjoyed by all of us. The buffalo mozzarella cheese balls were succulent and loved how my knife slide through it.

We almost skipped the dessert because were so full, and how I would have missed on the delectable slice of Tiramisu. It was creamy, soft, thinly layered, and not too sweet for us. Even though Azmu was playing in the soft corner while hubby and I were enjoying some couple time with the plate of Tiramisu, once she tasted it, she kept coming back for bites between her play.

penne for my thoughts

Right from the flavoursome food, to the large portions and the ambience of the restaurant, Luigia ticks all the boxes. And with the Bambini Kid’s Brunch where your child can have a great time while going easy on your wallet, this place is wonderful for you to have your next weekend brunch with other young families.

For more information:

Email at info@luigia.ae

Call on the number 00971 4 349 6950

Check their website at www.luigia.ae

Get social on Facebook and Instagram on @luigiadubai

Location: Rixos Premium, JBR, Dubai. Free Valet parking available.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all views, opinions and photographs are of my own.

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