With a mantra of “life is short, do what you love,” Antonio Lopez, Teatro Restaurant’s executive sous chef, did just that. He left a career in engineering to pursue his passion for culinary arts, finding his place at Rotana Abu Dhabi’s star restaurant. Here, he gives us a glimpse into Teatro and what makes it such a phenomenal success.
What makes Teatro an award-winning concept and what is the secret behind its longevity?
Teatro, Rotana’s signature restaurant at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, has withstood the test of time. I genuinely believe there is no secret to Teatro’s success because it largely comes down to the team’s intrinsic passion for consistency, quality, freshness and offering guests beautiful dining experiences to all our guests.
What can you tell us about the food you offer?
Teatro, as its name implies, promises a theatrical eating experience from beginning to end. It is an award-winning restaurant, with a dynamic menu filled with the finest dishes, from Thai, Indian, Chinese and Japanese to Italian, thus spotlighting the world’s finest gastronomy. I would like to mention the excellent chefs in my team who entertain guests with live cooking and those in charge of the sushi bar.
Aside from unique menu items, what experience can guests look forward to enjoying at Teatro?
At Teatro, there are many possibilities, and we are quite open to interactions between our chefs and our patrons. We also thoughtfully concoct food and drink promotions for tableside service, not to mention the lively ambience, distinctive interior decor, wide variety of wines in our cellar and many other elements that make the Teatro experience a special one.
How would you describe Abu Dhabi’s F&B market today?
In my opinion, Abu Dhabi’s food and beverage market is dynamic and guest centric. Quality is of utmost importance and, in order to succeed, you must be able to keep up with Dubai’s fast-paced changes.
