Abu Dhabi Foodie News: a new restaurant, an Italian lunch, wok & roll at Pachaylen and Caramel’s new brunch

Caramel has a new brunch. Courtesy of Caramel

A new restaurant has quietly opened its doors in Abu Dhabi at the Royal Rose hotel. Barocco, led my French chef Thierry Gallas, is a Mediterranean restaurant with signature dishes from Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. The Baroque-style interior of the restaurant offers a sophisticated, elegant setting to go with the inspired menu. Notable dishes include the Cretan risotto, Barocco crab cake, lobster spaghetti and a classic sole meunière. The Royal Rose Hotel is located in Al Markaziyah on Sheikh Zayed the First Street. Barocco is open daily for lunch from 12:30pm — 3:30pm and for dinner from 6:30pm — 11:30pm. For reservations, call 02 672 4000.

Villa Toscana has launched an espresso lunch for those wanting a fast (but tasty) midday break. The lunch, just Dh75, begins with tasting starters of pane carasau (thin, crispy Sardinian flatbread) drizzled in olive oil and served with dips made from pumpkin, mushrooms, beetroot and other Tuscan flavours. Among the mains on offer are homemade pasta, Diavola-style chicken rolls and vegetarian, lamb or seafood pizzas. To round out this indulgent lunch, guests can choose the gelato affogato or the tiramisu, complete with a cup of espresso. Villa Toscana is on the first floor of the St. Regis Abu Dhabi on the Corniche. The espresso lunch is available Sunday through Thursday from 12pm to 3pm for Dh75. 02 694 4553

Hit up the new Wok & Roll promotion at Pachaylen inside the Anantara Eastern Mangroves hotel. The restaurant has launched a sharing dinner menu that features Thai flavours, rolled and from the wok. Foodies will find tasty options from crispy prawn rolls to Pachaylen’s signature miang kham on the menu. Dessert options include a banana spring roll or sticky rice with Thai mango. From Saturdays to Tuesdays from 7pm to 11pm. Dh160+ per person. For reservations, call 02 656 1000.

Abu Dhabi has yet another new brunch. Caramel has just launched a new Saturday brunch from noon to 4pm where guests order off the menu rather than belly up to a buffet. Menu options include delights such as the crab tacos, beef rib eye, roasted baby chicken and mac and cheese popcorn. The restaurant is located at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Dh149+, 02 678 3344