If you have ever lived or visited Italy and you know how fantastic the food is, and if you are missing Italian food then come to Mare By Bussola, says Melanie Gordon.
All your needs will be met by the welcoming hospitality and the flavours of the Italian Riviera , from the sun ripe, tri-colour tomatoes to the immensely impressive Tiramisu. Although not a new restaurant, Mare By Bussola serves as a little sister to the more established and fine dining restaurant Bussola only around the corner at the Westin Hotel. A classy laid back lounge with the most authentic Italian seaside and sunshine vibes. Think Delectable Italian bites, light meals and Bussola’s signature cocktails and wines, with shisha infused with unique flavours and mixtures.
The smaller Mare By Bussola not only will serve light lunches but can now in the more clement winter months become a serious contender for evening services too! Whereas Bussola is fine dining in a more formal atmosphere, Mare By Bussola has different Italian beachy vibes, more laid back if you will, with access to the pool and a more mellow inviting dining experience.
The mood of this restaurant as an uplifting feel with many instrgrammable moments and beautiful twinkling lights all around. The decor has a shabby chic feel with large chairs and inviting plump cushions, the boho chic lamp shades above and wicker tables and chairs. This is a lovely way to spend some time for pre-drinks if going somewhere else with the fully stocked bar and amazing cocktails and mocktails.
The upbeat aura of the staff is a sure sign of not only a warm welcome but also the excellent hosting skills to come. On this occasion I went with my husband and was served by the most competent and entertaining waiter, Gotham (yes, as in Batman). He made our evening fun with lots of laughter thrown in for free.
We started with bread, hummus and tomatoes and an olive mix, quickly followed by our drinks. I chose the mint cooler, which was very refreshing, and my husband had Sancerre white wine, which although not an Italian wine (French, from the Eastern part of the Loire Valley). For starters we chose the Brusschettona classica con pomidorini Carciofi, olive e basilico – toasted bread served with cherry tomatoes and olive oil and the Insalata Estiva di pomodori e basilica – summer heirloom tomatoes salad with red onion and fresh basil. Yes, we overdid it on tomatoes, but nevertheless it was a lovely zingy way to start the meal, the vibrancy of the fresh produce was palpable. On to the main course which was Gamberoni alla gricia – jumbo fresh prawns in a fresh tomato salad and Supreme di pollo – chicken supreme, glazed vegetables with potato puree. Both had an excellent quality of presentation, and the prawns were beautifully presented as they were out of the shell, therefore making them so much easier to eat. The chicken supreme was both filling and nutritious, the only slight criticism was that the vegetables were a tad hard. All in favour of an al dente vegetable but this was just on the wrong side of a bit too firm. The best part of the meal was yet to come with the most fabulous Tiramisu – traditional layer moose of Mascarpone cheese and sayaon with savoiardi biscuits dipped in expresso, one word- amazing! Crostatina al simoni de almafi – short crust pastry with Amalfi lemon curd, baked tiny meringue with a lemon sorbet, such vibrant flavours, literally the Italian sunshine in every mouthful. We also had the creamiest strawberry Gelato.
All in all, a lovely way to spend an evening. Attentive staff, beautiful setting, amazing ambience. If you are looking for a beachy, laid back time for dinner or pre drinks with friends and family you need look no further than Mare By Bussola.