Segreto

When it comes to romance, the Italians wrote the book. Their food is traditionally the very essence of first dates and candlelit amore 15 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2007

When it comes to romance, the Italians wrote the book. Their food is traditionally the very essence of first dates and candlelit amore. And the people at Segreto, it would appear, are fully aware of this. When you enter you’re conscious that the folks at Segreto are going all out for the lovers’ dirham; there’s even a cheeky Petrus on the wine list for couples prepared to blow Dhs40,000 on celebrating their love. But Segreto seems to be suffering from the same problem it’s endured from the start – over-fussing their food and ending up with frustratingly inconsistent results.

The wagyu beef ravioli with barley salad is essentially carpaccio with seeds, with nothing much to raise it above standard beef carpaccio, but the wild mushroom and spinach frittata with stuffed goat’s cheese is far better. For mains, the veal loin with buttermilk mashed potato and carrot puree is tender and full of flavour, but not quite able to justify its Dhs145 price tag. The tagliatelle with wild mushroom ragout is excellent; while the tiny spoon of caviar on top is unnecessary, it explains why a simple pasta dish costs Dhs90.

The cannelloni crêpes with glorious mascarpone and whisky lemon caramel sauce is the highlight of the evening, but the tiramisu is disappointingly bland. Segreto impresses in terms of originality and presentation, but doesn’t always hit the heights it promises. At least the setting is beautiful – trust the Italians to get that right.

By Time Out Dubai Staff

• Previous reviews
  • 22 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 14 August,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 19 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 31 January,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 03 October,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 January,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Mimi on 12 Mar ' 13 at 17:34

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

There was nothing pleasant in my experience in Segreto. Very few items on the menu, most of the dishes contain either pork or alcohol in a country of a muslim majority, narrowing our choices even more. ambience was ok .service average. OVERRATED, OVERPRICED, would never go back or recommend it.

Posted by: M.H. on 20 Feb ' 13 at 09:08

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The tables were too narrow, I didn't feel comfortable. The overall environment was not that good. A strong smell of alchohol in the place. Service was average. Food was not that tasty or good and way too expensive. I don't recommend it, I would rather go to another italian restaurant in town.

Posted by: dezbash on 12 Mar ' 12 at 09:23

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

This was quite a dismal experience. The food was less than average and the service shameful. Each waiter tried hard to be worse than the next one. Food arrived cold. They brought the salad when there were dishes from pre-salad meal on the table, so the waitress put the salad dishes on top of the dirty dishes on the table!! You should feed their sea bass ravioli to your enemies.
For the money you pay here, you can eat Pizza Hut for a week and the food would not be any different.

Posted by: Layla on 04 Dec ' 11 at 07:16

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Sat out on the terrace.. bad views..
Food very normal.. menu options limited
Finally ended up ordering: a warm seafood salad which was good.. but the shrimp risotto and the lamb ravioli were very boring..
Service very slow so we couldnt order dessert becuase it was so late. Literally took 30 min for the starter and then 45 min for the main course to arrvive.
This restaurant was nothing special, as an Italian I was not impressed.

Posted by: dubai citizen on 02 Apr ' 11 at 21:25

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

very bad in everything.

Posted by: HS on 03 Feb ' 11 at 10:37

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Been twice and will go back again! Good food, good service, nice romantic ambience

Posted by: dp on 16 Jan ' 11 at 08:12

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Few options for vegetarians and bad cook pasta. They charge too much for what they offer. I won't go back or recommend it to anyone.

Posted by: Mounika on 01 Jan ' 11 at 09:27

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

As a vegetarian I didn't find anything appropriate on the menu, there was just one vegetarian dish and when we asked the the waiter another one he didn't have much to offer. In addition the pasta was not well cooked. The ambience and service was good for the price tag and small portions. I would however, not recommend this place to anyone.

Posted by: Antonio Giovannelli on 27 Dec ' 10 at 17:07

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I came to Segreto expecting the average service and food you might expect out of Italy, but surprisingly my expectations were exceeded. I found a very wellcoming staff, very well trained and knowledgeable as well as an impressive food which reminded me of being in Italy. Thank you to all Segreto staff and the 2 key men (manager & Chef) who must have obtained all this thanks to their experiences and professionalism.

Posted by: miriam nevola on 27 Dec ' 10 at 16:59

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Absolutely the best Italian Restaurant in Dubai. Service was attentive and never intrusive. All staff and the manager Olimpio, made my night memorable. Food was excellent and of an autentic taste.

Posted by: Priti on 04 Apr ' 10 at 06:51

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am very rarely this impressed by any restaurant I go to, but Segreto left no room for complaints. From the moment we walked in, we were taken care of. The waiters were very attentive, knew their menus and were able to help out with finding vegetarian options for one of my friends. Throughout the meal, they made sure to continually ask if we needed anything and tried to comply with all our requests! The food was absolutely amazing and the portions, for once, matched the price we were paying. All in all, I definitely recommend this restaurant -- and definitely request to sit outside!

Posted by: James Ryan Candia on 18 Mar ' 10 at 21:46

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best place to go out with your love one it s o Romantic.... I really like the ambiance, SUPER.....

Posted by: Gelly Tumakay on 18 Mar ' 10 at 21:43

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I recommend for the family excellent..... well done Segretto.

Posted by: Adelle D. Ababa on 18 Mar ' 10 at 21:41

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The best.....

Posted by: juicy on 15 Aug ' 09 at 21:57

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

very good....