One of our all-time favourite Italian restaurants in Singapore, Ristorante Da Valentino is closing on 24 December after 18 years of operations.

Opened by chef-owner Valentino Valtulina, Ristorante Da Valentino started as a humble Italian restaurant in a residential neighbourhood at Rifle Range Road in Bukit Timah before moving to The Grandstand.

For those of you who have never had the chance to dine at Ristorante Da Valentino, it is a cosy restaurant which dishes out authentic and delicious Italian dishes and you can always be guaranteed of a great meal here.

Have Truffle Pasta generously topped with freshly shaved truffles and dig into other classic Italian dishes such as the tasty Squid Ink Fettuccine with Crab Meat In Tomato Cream Sauce.

Before you head down to Ristorante Da Valentino, you should know that they are already fully booked from now until 24 December and they have stopped taking reservations and takeaway orders.

All is not lost for fans of Ristorante Da Valentino; Chef Valentino did not rule out a comeback in the future and they may come back with a new concept in the future.

Ristorante Da Valentino
200 Turf Club Road
#01-19, The Grandstand
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 6462 0555
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

A concept by Les Amis Group, LINO Restaurant is an Italian restaurant that serves handmade pizza, pasta and classic Italian dishes.

LINO Restaurant has opened a new outlet at Forum The Shopping Mall, taking over the premise of the now-defunct Jamie’s Italian Singapore.

LINO Restaurant currently has two outlets at Binjal Park and Forum The Shopping Mall.

There is also LINO Pizza & Pasta Bar, a casual version of the restaurant, at Shaw Centre.

LINO Restaurant at Forum The Shopping Mall will also have a cafe concept and the cafe menu—a concise menu offering a smaller selection of pasta, pizza, desserts and drinks—is available from 11am – 5.30pm daily.

To celebrate the opening of the new outlet, enjoy S$14++ selected cocktails, from 27 Sep to 31 Oct 2021.

LINO Restaurant
583 Orchard Rd, #01-01/04
Singapore 238884

Located at the historic Customs House, Caffe Fernet is an idyllic Italian restaurant that promises fresh air and a gorgeous waterfront view of the Marina Bay with its alfresco dining concept.

Opened by the group behind Jigger & Pony, Gibson Bar, Sugar Hall, Humpback and Live Twice, Caffe Fernet offers a fresh take on Italian cuisine and cocktails.

With Jigger & Pony’s background in the cocktail industry, you can naturally expect a selection of well-crafted cocktails. You won’t go wrong with the classic Aperol Spritz (S$17), which had a distinctive sunset orange colour and a sweet tinge to the taste.

Start off your meal with a selection of small plates including Beef Tartare (S$31), Burrata (S$24), and Brussels Sprouts (S$21).

We recommend the Grilled Octopus (S$32) for the seafood lovers. The octopus is tender and goes well with the marinated beans and the chilli vinegar that has just the right amount of spice.

There are three choices under the pasta section. Caffe Fernet is well known for its Mafaldine Cacio E Pepe (S$26) with parmesan, pecorino, four pepper. Otherwise, you can go for the Tonnarelli Vongole (S$29) with flower clams. Gluten-free options are available upon request.

Overall, Caffe Fernet is a great place along the Marina Bay if you’re a fan of classic Italian craft cocktails with a twist, and authentic Italian food that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Caffe Fernet
70 Collyer Quay
#01-05 Customs House
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 9178 1105

Boasting swanky interiors and offering a series of authentic, high-quality Italian dishes without the over-exorbitant price tag attached, PocoLoco impresses with their commitment to providing both tasty food and memorable dining experiences for all. Known to take up residence in Singapore’s heartlands, the restaurant opened its most recent one in Wisteria Mall, located within the Yishun heartland.

Believe us when we say that these folks don’t mess around when it comes to quality Italian food. Featuring a host of unique gems, our breaths were taken away by the likes of the Uni Risotto, Tagliatelle Al Ragu De Angelo and Filleto De Manzo with Foie Gras in Red Wine Sauce, each boasting heavenly sauces and dressings made entirely from scratch.

Their new space is a culmination of good vibes, offering diners a cosy ambience that’s neither pretentious nor intimidating, solid service and authentic Italian food that is just unbelievably good considering its price point. That’s right, their food is all priced relatively affordable to cater to the masses.

PORTOBELLO

To start off, we tried the Portobello (S$12.90) that features two overturned portobello mushrooms, oven-baked and stuffed generously with soft, creamy burrata cheese along with a modest drizzling of their homemade truffle essence.

Straightforward from taste to the presentation and elevated with the Earthy scent of truffle, this simple starter impressed with its lovely chewy texture coupled with the rich, creamy molten cheese that spills out onto the tongue.

COLD CAPPELLINI

Served cold, the Cold Cappellini (S$20), yet another awesome starter worth considering, features a mound of chilled angel hair pasta dressed in truffle essence that is topped with fresh slices of Hokkaido scallops, sea urchin and shio kombu.

Nicely balanced with the various components dealt in humble portions, this refreshing dish is an umami bomb that does well to get the appetite going without being too overbearing on the palate.

TAGLIATELLE AL RAGU DE ANGELO

If proper nourishment and meaty comfort is needed after a long, arduous day at work, then why not consider the Tagliatelle Al Ragu De Angelo (S$15.90). The dish comprises a generous portion of handmade tagliatelle, neatly assembled and well coated in a hearty meat-based sauce before finished with a portion of a lamb rack.

Indulgent, the sauce was thick, resembling more of a stew rather than a sauce. The lamb was cooked perfectly, boasting a succulent pink interior and a crusty exterior. The real money-maker, however, was the homemade pasta which had a nice bite to it and served as a vessel to sponge up all the amazing flavour.

TAGLIATELLE PROSCIUTTO

Another pasta option to consider—one that offers a good balance between tartness, saltiness and freshness—is the Tagliatelle Prosciutto (S$15.90). Veal jus forms the base of this stunner, with other components such as capers, cherry tomatoes, olives and arugula added to give the sauce texture and depth.

The parma ham was as thin as paper, melting nicely on the tongue and coating every inch of it in a fatty flavour that was just divine. The arugula was also a nice touch as its peppery qualities did well to cut through the richness and saltiness of the other components.

UNI RISOTTO

Combining the briny ocean flavours of uni with the creamy, velvety texture that is perfectly cooked risotto, the Uni Risotto (S$20) is one that warrants a return visit and is a true hallmark of Italian flair and Japanese precision.

This creamy Italian rice dish is accented with speckles of garlic but is nicely mellowed out by the delicate creaminess of the parmesan cheese. The fresh Hokkaido-sourced sea urchin gave the dish a distinct seafood aroma and umami that played off the cheese nicely.

FILLETO DI MANZO WITH FOIE GRAS

A dish that we would gladly return for is the Filleto De Manzo with Foie Gras in Red Wine Sauce (S$27.90). Placed in the centre of the dish is a perfectly seared tenderloin steak, and perched on top of it is a sizeable medallion of freshly pan-seared foie gras.

Buttery and indulgent, the sweet and tangy balsamic glaze drizzled over top was an excellent (and much needed) touch.

TIRAMISU

Made authentically the Italian way, their Tiramisu (S$7.90) features ladyfinger biscuits soaked in a mixture of espresso and rum, layered with a light and airy mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa powder.

Surprisingly light with a subtle alcoholic punch that hits you right at the end, this Italian classic honestly ranks high among the many that we’ve tried.

MATCHA LAVA

Promising nothing but sheer indulgence, with a subtle bitterness that works is the Matcha Lava (S$10.90). Unlike the classic chocolate lava cake, this rendition features a fondant that is made using fresh matcha powder, giving it its distinct and complex aroma.

When cut into, the outer shell breaks open, revealing an incredibly sexy flow of molten matcha. Best enjoyed with vanilla ice cream, this dessert boasts an alluring sweetness that begs to be devoured entirely (and immediately).

PocoLoco
598 Yishun Ring Road, #01-37/38,
Singapore 768698
Tel: +65 8826 1919
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

408 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-779
Singapore 560408
Tel: +65 8436 3363

21 Jurong Town Hall Road
Snow City Level 2
Singapore 609433

Tel: +65 8866 4646

103 Irrawaddy Road
#02-08 Royal Square@Novena
Singapore 329565
Tel: +65 8699 6664

This post was brought to you by PocoLoco.