Sponsored: The new executive chef is fusing fun-dining with Amalfi flavours and FIVE’s signature flair…

Cinque, the gorgeous Italian restaurant inside iconic luxury lifestyle hotel FIVE Palm Jumeirah, has a new culinary mastermind at the helm: and Chef Mauro Di Leo is fusing his Michelin expertise with FIVE’s signature fun-dining.

The stunning spot is decked out in calming pink hues, backdropped by the Instagram-famous Social Pool. Its gold bar is the perfect spot to perch up for an aperitivo with friends or a fun-filled date night, before you move to the main restaurant for an evening of delectable Italian dishes. Prefer to dine under the starry night sky? The chic alfresco terrace reopens soon.

Taking the reigns of the menu, Chef Mauro promises a culinary extravaganza in keeping with Cinque’s authentic Italian theme. Inspired by his Sicilian roots and, Southern Italy takes centre stage on the newly elevated menu, with sophisticated dishes paying homage to the picture-perfect Amalfi Coast.

But you can also expect some unique fusions on Chef Mauro’s menu. “I find Japanese and Italian culture similar in many ways, explains the new executive chef. “Both cultures share a similar ideology of giving respect to food, which I find very fascinating. I am a strong believer that both flavours go extremely well together, so I try to fuse both to get the best of both worlds,” he adds.

Cinque, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, 12.30pm to midnight daily. Tel: (0)4 455 9989, palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com/eat-drink/cinque