Rave Dines: TOTÓ Dubai

There’s a moment, as you step into TOTÓ Dubai, when the city noise fades, and you feel transported. The hum of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard disappears behind velvet curtains, replaced by the soft notes of Italian jazz and the faint crackle from a wood-fired oven. Housed within the Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection, TOTÓ is a love letter to the golden age of Italian cinema, told through food, design, and the kind of atmosphere that lingers long after you’ve left.

Born in Madrid in 2020 and inspired by the romance of Italian cinematography, TOTÓ brings its quietly confident charm to Downtown Dubai, creating a space where rustic warmth and refined detail come together so naturally that it feels intimate, despite its cinematic story. The interiors strike a balance between rustic nostalgia and quiet refinement, featuring exposed stone walls, amber lighting, and earthy textures that evoke the warmth of an old Roman trattoria. From the moment you’re seated, the open kitchen draws your gaze as chefs move with calm precision, stretching dough, stirring sauces, and orchestrating what feels like a live performance.

A Feast in Slow Motion

The meal begins with the Burrata from Puglia, served over tomato carpaccio and kissed with basil pesto. A simple, elegant, and so fresh it almost hums with flavour. It’s the kind of dish that speaks softly but stays with you, much like the opening scene of a good film.

The Bruschettone al Pomodoro, served on grilled sourdough, follows and brings a rustic, comforting balance, with the right balance of garlic and ripe tomatoes that taste of an Italian summer. Then comes the Margherita pizza, a classic done to perfection. The San Marzano tomatoes bring their signature sweetness, while the fior di latte cheese melts just enough to remind you that authenticity here isn’t just a promise, but it is a standard.

The Cannelloni deserves its own close-up. Filled with tender chicken, wrapped in pasta, and blanketed under a creamy Béchamel sauce, it’s indulgent without being heavy. The finishing touch, which is the grated foie gras, adds depth, giving this traditional dish an unexpected twist of finesse.

Then there’s the Filetto TOTÓ, a grilled Australian Black Angus tenderloin, cooked just as you’d hope. Tender, richly flavoured, and beautifully paired with roasted baby carrots and Friggitelli peppers. Every component feels intentional, each bite layered with quiet confidence rather than flash.

Dessert is where TOTÓ’s storytelling finds its sweetest note. The Tiramisù TOTÓ is both airy and decadent, the coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits offering just enough bitterness to balance the mascarpone’s creamy indulgence. But it’s the Tortino al Pistacchio, a molten pistachio cake, that steals the finale, warm, nutty, and perfectly undone at the centre, melting into a pool of soft sweetness.

During our visit, TOTÓ was also marking the arrival of white truffle season, with a short-run selection of dishes finished with freshly shaved Alba truffle, which becomes a once-a-year flourish that adds a rare, seasonal depth to its Italian classics.

The Ambience

TOTÓ’s rhythm is deliberate. Service is graceful, the staff attentive yet unobtrusive. There’s a cinematic pace to everything with scenes unfolding naturally, the evening flowing without rush. Even the quiet pauses between courses feel curated, like frames in a film that give you time to exhale and take in the moment.

La Camera by TOTÓ: The Modern Spin-Off

Beyond TOTÓ’s intimate charm lies its spirited sister, La Camera by TOTÓ, a contemporary extension of the brand’s Italian soul. Where TOTÓ evokes classic film nostalgia, La Camera channels the energy of a modern Milanese bistro with a playful, design-driven, and effortlessly chic. It’s where mornings stretch into brunches and evenings hum with conversation, all under the same philosophy of craftsmanship and authenticity that defines its older sibling. If TOTÓ is the cinematic masterpiece of rich, layered, and timeless, then La Camera is the lively sequel that carries the story forward with flair.

Verdict

TOTÓ isn’t merely a place to dine; it’s an experience crafted with the elegance of Italian storytelling. Every dish, every gesture, every note of music feels intentional with a reminder that great dining, like great cinema, is all about emotion.

TOTÓ

Opening Hours: Daily | 12 PM – 1 AM, valet service available

Location: TOTÓ, Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai

Email: reservationsdubai@totorestaurant.ae

Phone number: +971 4 215 2121

WhatsApp: +971 50 648 9801

Reservations link: https://sevn.ly/x4ZfuX3h

Instagram: @totorestaurantdubai

Website: https://totorestaurants.com/dubai/

Images supplied