Right on the heels of a romantic dinner at Forlino, I had another amazing Italian feast – the following day. The original plan was to have a simple lunch somewhere else.
“Why don’t we go to Valentino?” I asked jokingly.
Apparently, my lunch date took it very seriously. To cut the story short, we ended up at Valentino’s after calling to confirm a table. Stepping inside Ristorante Da Valentino, it feels like we are in our charming Italian neighbours’ house for dinner.
Most squid ink pasta, or at least the ones that I’ve tried, had the quirky and murky flavor. This one tasted like squid ink. It tasted like fresh ink extracted on the spot.
Like the one that I’ve at Forlino the night before, the Fettucine al Granchio ($23.9) here was also infused with squid ink. Huge chunks of crab meat with the fettucine, tossed with the creamy tomato sauce – it was absolutely wicked!
Now we have a problem. I want every slurp of the pasta. No, I do not want to share.
Option A: Finish everything and re-order before my partner returns from the washroom.
Option B: Try to convince her that the mushroom risotto is better than the squid ink pasta.
I could see no Option C, even though I was secretly praying that she’d not like the pasta.
Unfortunately not. In case you are wondering, we wiped the plate clean. I’d die for the squid ink pasta, or less dramatically, save up and come here every week – just for this.
I want Risotto. My dear Seafood linguine, it doesn’t mean I don’t like you anymore. It just means right now, I’m craving for risotto more.
Mushroom risotto has a very important place in my heart. I don’t always order it, but when I do – it has to be good. Maybe subconsciously, we wanted more of the squid ink pasta, or maybe we had small appetite that day. Either way, just a word of caution: see the plate of Porcini Mushroom Risotto ($23.9) up there?
It might not look like a lot, but trust me, both of us couldn’t finish it.
Sweetie, it’s desserts, and Perla’s Pastry Boutique is calling!
Right beside the restaurant, there is Perla’s patisserie by Valentino’s sister. There’s no dine-in area for the patisserie, but the desserts are available if you are dining in the restaurant. It was an agonizing choice between the tiramisu, panna cotta, frutti bosco and their signature chantilly cake. But the sight of the gorgeous mixed berries were simply irresistible.
There’s a wise saying that goes like this: never trust a beautiful woman, and if I can add on to it, never trust the beautiful berries to taste sweet. Call me shallow, but I actually fall for it. Oh well, what to do, I’m superficial. Anyway I believe there’s blackberries, raspberries and strawberries in the Frutti Bosco ($8.80).
* * *
A romantic dinner for two is not necessary just about fantastic view or fanciful cuisine. Lovely, lovely place. Valentino is my definition of a romantic restaurant, it is all about us having good food in a cozy ambiance. Here’s a restaurant for Valentine’s day, reservations are definitely a must for dinner.
I’m going to bring all my friends to Ristorante Da Valentino for their homely, authentic Italian food. Rifle range road is directly opposite King’s Albert Park & Bukit Timah Plaza. Pick up your phone, and dial the eight digit numbers. Get on with it.
Restaurant Review
Ristorante Da Valentino
11 Jalan Bingka
Mayfair Park
Tel: +65 6462 0555
Ristorante Da Valentino is listed as one of ladyironchef’s favorite restaurants in Singapore.
24 COMMENTS
am i the first? looks around..
up and down.yes i am the first.
its no good to look at pics at this hours.im hungry.. i want that superfical piece of pastry.. i want..
^__^ v
I can only imagine the reservations they get on Valentines Day, Beautiful photos as always and the food must be delicious.
charming review Brad. haha. and I can’t believe not having eaten there before despite the proximity to my home. The linguine looks to die for. Argh.
That sure looks inky alright. Not quite sure I’ve acquired the taste yet for it though.
The risotto really looks yummy. Your photo makes me crave for it now.
very cosy place indeed. Looks very much like the Italian restaurant i patronized in Florence!
You’ve gotta try this if you lurve clams! Vongole Casser!!! This was one of their specials (appetitizers) the last time I went. And I lurve their squid ink pasta too!!!!!!!!!
oh brad are you on a mission to check out every cozy, romantic restaurant here! Very nice as always!
I’ve never had squid ink pasta do tell me does it stain your teeth/ mouth black! Silly question I know but
nice to have a picture of the place.
methinks ambience plays a rather important part as well, teehee.
this place looks fabulous! an italiano week for you ha.
love that shade of dusky pink;)
I’ve been to the Valentino’s about a year ago. It was fantastic!
ah bui bui: You are superficial like me? haha go satisfy your cravings my dear
LetsEatOnline: Their dinners are always full, need to make reservations very early
Sihan: I know right, we live so near but it took me until now to go. Sinny, you MUST go there when u come back next week, okay? Promise me you will go.
LFB: Oh my god, you are missing out my friend! please do it for me, or yourself, go and try squid ink pasta again
Miss Glitzy: The pasta is even better than the risotto!
Angeline: Although i have never been to Italy, but Valentino always has that very special charm
Anne: I know you been there many many times right? Ok roger, Vongole, here i come
Dorothy: Because it’s valentine’s ma, so i’m helping everyone by giving some suggestions on romantic places to go. hee oh you haven tried squid ink before? it’s the best! don’t worry abt the stain, just enjoy the pasta!
Danghl: Oh yeah of cos, ambience always make the food taste a lot better
Daniel: yep, i’m not going to touch Italian food for a while, need a break.
Ciki: are you into Italian food? the next time you come Singapore, i must bring you there okay : )
Pailine: I agree! fantastic place hee
Great set of photos you have there… you have just convinced me that I should pay them a visit soon
Luscious indeed, esp your descriptive rants about the squid ink pasta. I still have yet to taken a liking to those dark, slithering noodles for they’re neither flavourful nor interesting enough.
Oooooh love that place for its cosy ambience. I’ve been there at night before and it was awesome. If I didn’t remember wrongly, they push a dessert tray table out for people to select what they want. And the chef there is a pretty friendly guy, he went around tables chatting with the diners. (:
HFB: Thank you for your kind words, have fun when u go!
J2kfm: Luscious sounds good. Squid ink pasta is really good, you need to be converted. haha
chelle: yep it’s quite fascinating to watch them pushing out the dessert tray, it makes me excited everytime someone order desserts
the pizzas are great too.. do try it when u go next time.. it’s super thin crust..
two questions
1. is the squid ink pasta here better than the one in the picture on ur webpage?
2. have u tasted pizza in this place? how was it?
janice: really? yeah i will, next time!
mike: well it’s very subjective, but i think i like the one here slightly more. I didn’t try the pizza, that’s for next time : )
Haha, I do agree. Looking at the pictures is just not enough! I’m a sucker for Italian (and so is my other half .. an even bigger sucker).
so u only had the mixed berries tart for dessert? should have took photos of the other tarts,tiramisu and their profiteroles!! profiteroles are not always available so if u manage to get it on hand to try,hope to hear comments from u!! (:
shannon: yea it was a pity that we didn’t have room for the tiramisu and tarts! okay sure will look out for their profiteroles next time
Just had lunch at Valentino’s today. It has one if the best Italian food here. Superb ambience and excellent service. Will surely go back.