Sparks will fly (and not just from the pizza oven) at Jeddah Yacht Club.
Naming your restaurant after a volcano is a bold move, but when the décor and cuisine are as explosive as the newly-opened Le Vésuvio at Jeddah Yacht Club, it’s easy to understand the confidence behind this sophisticated Italian eatery.
With its timeless charm and modern Italian cuisine, Le Vésuvio has been charming A-listers and jet-setters in Cannes, France, for over five decades. Transported from Cannes’s Boulevard de la Croisette to Jeddah Yacht Club, guests will be charmed by a backdrop of crystalline waters and bobbing yachts at either location.
Le Vésuvio at Jeddah Yacht Club offers diners a waterfront terrace ideal for leisurely lunches and sundowners. Inside, a fresh colour palette, blue leather upholstery and a central lemon tree set the scene for a memorable meal of traditional Italian dishes. Stained glass panelling separates the bar from the dining room, where guests can dine beside the pizza oven and watch their dishes being prepared from scratch.
In transitioning from the French Riviera to the Kingdom, Le Vésuvio has adopted a more casual setting than its Cannes counterpart. The pressed white tablecloths and formal service style have been replaced with an aperitivo-forward approach that looks to work wonders for the Jeddah market.
The modernisation of Le Vésuvio comes with some significant menu changes. Many of Le Vesuvio’s traditional Cannes-inspired dishes remain unchanged, including the oysters, salads and signature pizzas. However, much of the menu has been overhauled for the Saudi market bringing a focus on locally-sourced vegetables and top-notch Italian produce.
We begin with Burrata Con Delizie Della Stagioni (SAR 120), a dish in which the creamy Italian cheese substitutes the usual Heirloom tomato accompaniment with grilled figs, duck prosciutto and a sprinkling of hazelnut crumble for texture. It’s light, fresh and oh so moreish. The same can be said for the delicately plated Vitello Tonnato (SAR 125), where slices of roasted veal are curled into a petal-shaped design and filled with tuna-caper sauce and pickled pearl onions. If you’re looking for a dish to light up your Instagram feed, this is it.
Hand-crafted pasta and risotto options include Linguini Vongole (SAR 175), Lasagna Ai Forno (SAR 115) and Gnocchi Di Patate (SAR 80). However, we suggest you gravitate towards the decent Spaghetti Lobster (SAR 255), where Canadian lobster is tossed with cherry tomatoes, garlic and chillies, or the verdant Green Asparagus and Black Truffle Risotto (SAR 145).
Main courses cover Milk-Fed Veal Milanese (SAR 190), Half Chicken Alla Cacciatore (SAR 135) and Filet “Au Poivre” (SAR 250), but for a hearty dish with a Saudi touch, we’d recommend the Osso Buco Alla Milanese (SAR 295). These tender braised veal shanks are served with a colourful saffron risotto, providing the perfect fusion of Italian and Saudi traditions.
Save room for dessert because Le Vésuvio’s selection of seven sweet treats successfully piqued the interest of this diner known for his savoury tongue rather than a sweet tooth. From the Almond Profiteroles (SAR 65) to the Amalfi Lemon Posset (SAR 65), Pear Melba (SAR 65) and traditional Tiramisu (SAR 65), each of these Insta-worthy treats delivers on more than just visual appeal.
Named after an active volcano on the Gulf of Naples in Italy, this charming new spot brings a taste of Italy to the shores of The Red Sea. While the Cannes restaurant has attracted A-listers from the Cannes Film Festival, we expect the same level of status and stardom at Le Vésuvio Jeddah once The Red Sea Film Festival rolls around again.
Jeddah Yacht Club is fast becoming a dining destination, as it is also welcoming to Emmy Squared, Le Comptoir de Nicole, Mashi No Mashi and the soon-to-open Crustacean and Madeo.
Bellissimo.
GO: Visit https://restaurants.coolinc.com.sa for more information.
