Dive Into Flavor: Chef Luca De Santis Makes A Splash At Beach Rotana’s Finz

Lovin’s new Chef Series goes beyond the plate, spotlighting chefs, their stories and the passions that bring their menus to life.

Finz, Beach Rotana’s Michelin-selected seafood hotspot, has returned bigger, bolder, and more ocean-inspired than ever. Each dish takes you on a culinary deep dive from the sea’s surface to its depths, guided by Chef Luca De Santis.

Meet the Chef Behind Episode Two: Luca De Santis

With over 25 years of international fine dining experience, including Michelin-starred kitchens, Chef Luca is a master of fusion with purpose. He blends flavors, cultures and emotions into plates that tell stories.

Born in Rome and seasoned across Europe and the Middle East, Luca’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

“Barcelona gave me permission to become who I really was,” he says. “It sparked my love for creating, experimenting, and storytelling through food.”

From Rome to Abu Dhabi, Luca brings his bold, imaginative touch to every plate and a little dash of personality too!

A Menu That’s a Whole Ocean of Fun

The new Finz menu is basically a storybook of the sea. Eight signature dishes inspired by the ocean’s depth, waters, and temperatures promise flavors that surprise and delight:

• The Breeze: Kelly Oyster with kiwi and citrus coconut glaze
• Under Citrus Light: Red shrimp with fennel and clementine
• Arctic Slaw: King crab with tobiko, green apple, and kani dressing
• Whispers in the Tide’s Caress: Baby squid with tuna-chorizo, potato espuma, and thyme
• Brine Light: Black cod with caper glaze and white asparagus
• Frostbitten Lemon Haven: Lemon-mango-olive oil dessert dream

“Every dish is personal,” Chef Luca explains. “It’s about creating a memory, not just a meal. I want people to taste the story, not just the seafood.”

The kitchen is his playground

For Luca, creativity never stops. “The kitchen is alive, always moving, always changing. There’s always a new ingredient, a new technique, a new story waiting to be told,” he says. And the dishes are proof: imaginative, bold and full of personality.

Set against Abu Dhabi’s stunning coastline, Finz is more than a restaurant. It’s a full-on experience. With breathtaking views, innovative dishes and a playful approach to storytelling, it’s a must-visit for anyone craving flavor, fun and a touch of culinary magic!

 

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Ingredients are carefully sourced, and leftovers get a tasty second life as house-made ferments. The menu also changes with the seasons to keep things fresh and waste-free.

“Cooking is a conversation with the world. Every dish should honor the ingredient, the people, and the planet,” Chef Luca says. “So much of cooking is about emotion. I want people to leave inspired, with a memory on their plate and a story in their hearts.”

Important bits

Where: Finz, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
When: Open daily. Lunch from 1-5PM and dinner from 6PM-12AM.
Bookings: Call +971 269 79186, email finz.beach@rotana.com, or visit website

A voyage beneath the waves where Chef Luca tells a story in every bite.