Così

Cosy Italian snack stop in Garhoud Discuss this article

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2008

Um Al Sheif Street continues to develop its own little café scene, which is great news for Umm Suqeim residents. The latest addition to the same strip that houses Maria Bonita, Central Perk and Hattam is Così.

Now let’s not beat about the bush. It is an American franchise and, over here at least, that often means sterile, mass-produced food that should be avoided at all costs.

Happily, that’s not the case with Così. Their USP is the open-flame hearth ovens in every store that bake fresh bread daily. The sandwiches, salads – try the signature salad, tossed with red grapes, pears, pistachios, gorgonzola and shallot sherry vinaigrette – and pizzas are all perfectly acceptable. Good, even. But our favourite is the soup.

You’ll go a long way to find a café contender who can beat their lentil, minestrone or tomato varieties. Avoid the bitter, watery coffee, though, and instead finish off with one of their home-made muesli biscuits and a cup of tea.

It’s not a great meal by any stretch – The Lime Tree is still miles ahead in that respect – but it is a perfect for a little pit stop if you live in the area or happen to be passing through.

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