Rustic Italian Fare at Russo’s New York Pizzeria

Who would ever say no to Pizzas? No one, right?

Which is why I accepted the opportunity of trying out some of the most authentic and rustic Italian dishes at the award winning Russo’s New York Pizzeria in Jumeirah.

Before we start indulging in all that Italian goodness, let’s introduce their best seller that Russo’s and Chef Ali Alayet are so proud of. This massive and huge 28 inch pizza is a great choice for parties, gatherings, picnics and so much more. And given their extensive variety of toppings, you can mix and match different options to experience their spread.

But Russo’s New York Pizzeria is not just about pizzas. In addition to their Specialty Pizzas and Napoletana Pizza, they offer a remarkable selection of pastas, starters, salads, sandwiches, drinks and desserts.

Plus they have a very warm and welcoming interior. Take a look at these pictures to know more.

   

We were presented with crispy Italian herb bread while we waited for our starters. The bread was served along with three dips – an olive tepanade with a creamy-gritty texture, a spicy chili marinara (my favorite), and a roasted bell pepper dip.

Pomodoro Bruschetta

We started the New York styled Italian indulgence at Russo’s New York Pizzeria with Pomodoro Bruschetta.
The interesting thing about their Bruschetta is that it’s made using a flatbread, freshly baked in their oven, and topped with perfectly ripened tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil. Not to forget, the wonderful drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and parmesan shavings.

Did you know, at Russo’s it’s a part of their brand values to never serve anything which isn’t fresh. And thanks to that, the Bruschetta we received was comfortably warm and you could really taste how fresh and crispy the toppings were.
Make sure you try out their flatbread during your next visit to Russo’s. It’s the perfect alternative to the classic garlic bread.

And if you want to keep it a little low key, you can also opt for their Roasted Garlic Bruschetta which is topped with all-natural mozzarella cheese and rosemary.

Mocktails & Juices

No matter where I go, the passion always follows me. When I say passion, I’m referring to the very sweet and refreshing passion fruit.
One of their signatures, the passion fruit Mojito at Russo’s New York Pizzeria was just as you’d expect – Passion fruit, lime, mint – perfect.
The other drink recommended by the Chef was their fresh watermelon juice garnished with a slice of the sweet fruit.
With drinks so refreshing, meals are sure to get better.

Penne Arabbiata

This is undoubtedly one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had.
Adding more fire to my unconditional love for shrimps, I asked the Chef to suggest a pasta dish which had penne and shrimps. He recommended the classic Arrabbiata which featured al dente penne and juicy shrimps tossed in a spicy marinara sauce. I simply loved the addition of jalapenos which upped the spice level a good notch.

The shrimps were really fresh. Plus I am so used to expecting just a handful of shrimps in most dishes, that on seeing the generous amount of shrimps added to this pasta, I just knew that Russo’s New York Pizzeria treats their diners really well.

 

The drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil made the pasta so much better by enhancing its flavor quotient.
They have a variety of pasta with chicken, veggies and seafood. Plus they do really good lasagne as well. So you are sure to find something that you like (or love) on their menu.

As for me, I’ll be ordering the Shrimp Tortellini and Shrimp Fra Diavolo the next time around.

Gnocchi

Pesto. It’s the one sauce I love from the bottom of my heart and soul. I don’t mind having as much of this simply because it’s so versatile. Now there are many ways in which you can make pesto by choosing a different herb or a different dry nut. But the most common ingredients are basil and pine nuts.

This home made potato pasta, or gnocchi as it is commonly known in Italian cuisine, is cooked al dente and topped with house made organic basil pesto sauce.

This dish is perfect. It’s got the most tender bite and the creamy potato makes it just so comforting to eat.
Rich in carbs, this would make for a neat lunch.

Mushroom Risotto

Have you ever experienced the immense comfort your taste buds receive when you indulge in a plate of warm risotto? And when that plate of Arborio rice is dotted with Portobello mushrooms in a creamy parmesan based sauce drizzled with truffle oil, there is nothing that should come between you and that divine indulgence.

The Risotto Al Funghi at Russo’s New York Pizzeria transports you into a different world with every spoonful. I know I’m using the word indulgence a little too many times, but trust me, this dish really is worthy of that comparison.

Have it as is, or add some tender chicken protein to go with it. But have it.

Calabrese & Chicken Rustica Pizza

One of their signatures and one of their new flavors combine to create this side by side Specialty pizza.
These New York styled thin crust pizzas are baked in a brick oven for that rustic taste.

Our pizza featured the very meaty new flavor Calabrese to the left which came topped with bresaola, sliced meatballs and beef pepperoni accompanied by roasted peppers, garlic and all-natural mozzarella.

To the right was the more country styled best seller Chicken Rustica which brought together grilled chicken with spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, mozzarella and the fragrant combination of extra virgin olive oil and garlic sauce.

Russo’s New York Pizzeria also offers a selection of Napoletana pizzas as well. These =are square shaped and come with a thin crust.
Moreover, you also have the option of choosing a gluten free crust on selected pizzas. This will definitely make your authentic Italian pizza experience so much more healthier!

Russo’s New York Pizzeria

Location: Jumeirah Centre, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Contact: 04 3855906