Southern Sun Qamardeen Hotel’s new Esca Caffé adds a touch of La Dolce Vita

Dust off your Roman sandals and get ready to step outdoors as the new Esca Caffé brings the easy charm of Italian al fresco meals to Southern Sun Qamardeen Hotel’s dining repertoire. 

Fronting the popular hotel in the atmospheric Old Town District, the new Italian-themed café offers a light menu of popular sweet and savoury dishes, refreshing beverages and of course, an extensive coffee offering with everything from a quick shot of espresso to wake you up in the morning to a foaming cappuccino to linger over later in the day. 

Esca Caffé will operate as an all-day dining venue, from 7.00am to midnight, making it the perfect place to grab a breakfast pastry, a light Italian lunch or evening nibbles paired with a favourite after-hours Dubai past time – shisha. Shisha service is available from 4.00 – 11.00pm.

"Not many people know that the Italian café culture is even older than the French,” says Chef Bernd Geiger, Complex Executive Chef. “The menu draws from the idea of using fresh, good-quality ingredients to create light meals that can be enjoyed quickly any time of the day. The format targets the diner on the go and our selection of popular Italian pastries, one-dish-meals, light desserts and beverages make this the perfect casual dining destination.”

“Esca Caffé has been designed as the Italian counterpart to the popular French Boulevard Café at Qamardeen Hotel’s sister property, Al Manzil Hotel, next door,” said CD Kotze, Complex Food & Beverage Manager at Southern Sun Al Manzil & Qamardeen Hotels. “It is something that seems to work quite well in this part of town, given the mix of residential and business venues in the immediate area. A proven format combined with the warm service we pride ourselves on here at Southern Sun should hopefully make this a winning concept,” he added.

With a nod to the Italian dining institution, the new café will complement Qamardeen Hotel’s other popular restaurants, such as the inviting Esca Restaurant, which offers  panoramic terrace views of the Downtown Dubai skyline. Inspired by the country’s great trattorias, Esca Restaurant offers a delectable selection of buffet lunch options including the family-friendly Italian Weekend Lunch and delicious á la carte options for dinner.

The extensive menu is filled with authentic Italian delights, from a mouth-watering antipasti selection and delicately-flavoured soups to all your favourite pizza combinations hot from the oven and a long list of flavoursome first courses and mains. The after-dinner treats extend to both the savoury and sweet kind, with an impressive selection of Italian cheeses and a menu of traditional Italian desserts like Tiramisu and Panna Cota to round off your meal. The restaurant offers a fine selection of wines to accompany your meal, from fruity reds to mellow whites, ensuring that every course ends on a high note.

Qamardeen Hotel’s hidden gem, the Lobby Lounge, is another great place to enjoy a fresh and light selection of Italian dishes, as well as mezze platters, sandwiches, quiches, wraps, soups and burgers and tempting pastries, cakes and light desserts. An extensive beverage menu, a range of exotic tea and coffee flavours as well as nutritious smoothies, fresh fruit juices and mouth-watering milkshakes are also available to offer a dose of refreshment.

And if the idea of an elegant evening of fine wine seems like a great way to ring in the weekend, head to the Lobby Lounge on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evening and enjoy the Cheese and Wine Unwind with Riedel Glassware from 6-9pm. Guests can relax and unwind in chic surrounds, enjoying a wide selection of condiments and cheeses from Italy and France and the very finest Old and New World wines.