Named one of Australia’s ‘top ten regional restaurants worth travelling for’ by Travel & Luxury Magazine, the Antica Australis Cultural Heritage Dining Experiences are bound to captivate the imaginations of sophisticated diners in the UAE.

Run by Italian/Australian husband and wife team Paolo & Kelly Picarazzi, Antica Australis specialises in serving up the ancient flavours of the ‘hidden’ region of Ciociaria in central Italy. It is renowned throughout Australia for its unique presentation of serving regional Italian dishes using locally sourced produce in a set menu format, combined with a storytelling performance throughout the cultural heritage dining experiences.

The Antica Australis Cultural Heritage Dining Experiences will be presenting three different four course set menus during Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival over the first three weekends of the festival in February, enabling epicurious guests to return each weekend for a completely different sensory and storytelling experience.

The scene will be set against the backdrop of Bayt 7 Villa Compound, located in the heart of the captivating Emirati pearling village of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village in Ras Al Khaimah. Diners will be seated outside in an open courtyard surrounded by trees, fairylights, candles and bougainvillea for a truly magical experience.

Guests will be seated at individual tables with their booking groups however all diners commence the dining experience together, with a set menu served at a set time. Try not to be late – the Antica experience will start without you!

Each set menu has been developed using seasonal produce sourced direct from Al Shawka  -  the organic winter farm of Ras Al Khaimah’s Royal Palace. Organic dates and local Sidr honey have also been sourced from the Royal summer farm in the mountains at Jebel Jais.

Additionally, specialty products and native ingredients from Italy and Australia feature in dishes to make the Antica Australis festival events a sensational fusion of traditional Ciociarian cuisine, native Australian ingredients and distinct Emirati flavours that need to be explored to be believed.

This includes an ‘ethereal’ tiramisu with fresh pomegranate & Sidr jelly; a pistachio risotto with fried dates; and a medieval milk pudding made with camel milk infused with saffron, served with salted popcorn & organic date molasses.

The Antica Australis Cultural Heritage Dining Experiences during the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival  will be presented as packaged ticketed events for Saturday lunch & dinner, as well as Sunday lunch dining sessions.

Experience Packages include:

• short guided tour of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village on arrival

• accompanied walk to Bayt 7 Villa Compound

• four-course curated set menu and two matched beverages

• storytelling performance

• complimentary Monviso still & sparkling water

• stovetop espresso & biscuits; and two inclusive beverages.

Cost is AED 400 per person for soft drink beverage Antica Experience Package / AED 500 per person for grape beverage Antica Experience Package.

In addition, Antica Cooking Demonstration & Dinner events will be held on two Friday evenings during the festival, offering the opportunity for guests to learn how to cook a two-course Italian meal (pasta & dessert) and sit down at a Chef’s Table to eat with Paolo & Kelly Picarazzi of Antica Australis. Cost is AED 300 per person for cooking demonstration and two-course meal.

We suggest planning spending the weekend in Ras Al Khaimah to complement your Antica Australis Cultural Heritage Dining Experience. Take the time to return to Al Jazeera Al Hamra and wander through the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival at your leisure, sign up for a festival masterclass or attend a public talk, take a seat at the outdoor cinema or take a guided food tour through Ras Al Khaimah. We also highly recommend staying at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, just moments away from Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.

Antica Experience Packages need to be pre-purchased online in advance through the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival website to secure your place.

All Antica Australis events are strictly limited, with a capacity of maximum 20 guests for the dining experiences and 10 guests for the cooking demonstrations. So be quick to reserve your tickets!

VISIT THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE TO PURCHASE TICKETS