Red Tomato is a real surprise – proudly facing one of Barsha’s busiest intersections, on the way out from Mall of the Emirates – the quaint and tranquil European atmosphere inside makes one double-take and wonder if a time warp has suddenly occurred!

And lo-and-behold a real traditional wood-fired brick pizza oven, lovingly transported in pieces and reassembled all the way from Modena, Italy!

Red Tomato is a cozy place.

But, especially surprising, is the level of fine service!

Further surprising is that Red Tomato does a roaring trade in delivery… so, here we have a lovely Continental cafe’ and restaurant set-up, which could be found on any street corner in Italy or southern France, for instance; with fine table service; and with a wood-fired brick oven; and yet at the same time they deliver to all the neighborhood!

See what I mean?

Does this look like a take-away or delivery joint to you?

To me Red Tomato looks like a place for a lovely dinner date!

The front of the house is also very pretty.

But, as much as I loved the decor and ambiance, and the little nooks and corners, which I guess reminded me of home,

unless we’re going to eat those tables and chairs, we better have a look at the food!

And, luckily, also in that department, Red Tomato fared very well.

A very creative menu.

Find me another affordable restaurant in UAE that serves Pizza con Gorgonzola e Pere! That’s pizza with a piquant cheese from Gorgonzola and pears… or how about an Insalata Golosona, with massive slabs of Brie, walnuts, a fabulous balsamic dressing, and strawberries, mandarin segments, and crunchy bits of Amaretto di Saronno macaroons!!! Most “Italian” restaurants in UAE wouldn’t know an Amaretto if it bit them on the nose!

Just look at that Brie!

You could build a house with Brie that size!

And there wasn’t only one piece, either – the salad was a meal for two. Which actually is very appropriate because ‘Golosona’ means ‘glutton’!

Spaghetti with homemade meatballs was also delicious:

And among the vast selection of pizza, an Arabian twist caught my eye – Pizza with Pickled Labneh and Falafel – “Noooooooooooo!”, was my immediate reaction…but then I had to try it…

Not brave enough to waste a good pizza, though, I went in half the Falafel and half a safe Margherita con Mozzarella di Bufala, expecting to spit out the falafel and grump along at how these culinary fantasies ruin good food and years of tradition and pride…

…except it was super-delicious! I loved it!

I do realize that my Italian citizenship may be revoked because of this, but it was really a fantastic pizza.

Overall, Red Tomato is a brilliant little restaurant that makes good use of its wood-fired pizzeria oven, but offers lots lots more.

Red Tomato did surprise, and remember delivery?

I wish I lived within reach of Red Tomato’s delivery catchment area! (Barsha, Dubai)