This year has been really good so far, and I am very thankful that I get to visit so many new places. As I will be busy travelling to Sydney and Tokyo in June, I reckoned it’s a good idea to open up my blog for contributors.

If you think you have something that my readers should know about and has not been featured here, this is a good time to share.

Note that it is not restricted to just restaurant reviews. I am open to articles relating to food, wellness, and travel. It should be written in an engaging manner, and good photos are definitely a plus. One more thing, this is open to everyone; you don’t need to have a blog. I am looking for someone who loves food and writing.

Please send your post (around 300-500 words with photos) in a word document format to bradleyfk@gmail.com. It would be great if you could include a short paragraph – telling me more about yourself, and writing experience (if any) – in the email.

I will be choosing the best articles to share with everyone. This is your chance if you are keen to be a regular contributor for ladyironchef. Thanks folks, have a good weekend!

Words by Jolene Koh of Cupcake Weekend, Photos by ladyironchef

When I say I’m not a huge fan of Italian food it’s not because I don’t like the cuisine per se, but more so the feeling you get after having an overly hearty pasta meal where you’d go “that’s it I’m having Chinese for the next few weeks”.

Thankfully, I think I’ve found the perfect place for when I’m craving Italian without having to go through that unpleasant aftermath in my gut.

Helmed by Chef Michele Pavanello and housed at the corner of the Red Dot Traffic Building sits OTTO Ristorante. This classy, unpretentious establishment serves amazing Italian fare with a new-age influence. It’s a great place to have a business lunch, bond with the family over a good meal or even for a romantic night out.

Chef Pavanello takes what he does in the kitchen very seriously. Props for his constant drive to create new dishes and fine-tuning his style of cooking to suit our Asian taste-buds. When you meet someone who’s innovative and cares so much about what he prepares, you just know that what’s presented to you will taste good because at the end of the day, real dedication and passion for food is something you cannot fake.

We started with the Cocoa bean crusted foie gras with port wine reduction ($28). A decadent piece of foie gras coated in a crunchy cocoa bean crust on a bed of crisp salad leaves accompanied with home-made crostini.

By far one of the better foie gras dishes I’ve tasted, a palate tickler starter as I would call it. I liked that it had a myriad of textures and flavours from crunchy to soft, slight bitterness (from the cocoa), to sweet and salty.

Next we had the Slow cooked slipper lobster with leek veloute and morel mushroom ($28). I really enjoyed this other starter. The lobster was fresh, sweet and tasted of the sea. The leek veloute was flavourful & rich without being overly indulgent and complimented the perfectly cooked crustacean.

The Homemade squid ink tagliolini with lemon and chilli marinated prawn ($28) was pretty interesting for me because it’s the first time I’ve had squid ink pasta without a cream/squid ink based sauce.

I was pleasantly surprised that I actually prefer this to the former two alternatives. Homemade noodles (cooked al dente, no less) tossed very generously with prawns. I loved how the lemon zest and the chilli gave the dish some lightness and heat without over-powering the sweetness of the prawns. This one of those pastas where you’d finish, not get sick of and want more.

Homemade potato agnolotti with chicken jus and crispy bacon ($28). From plain sight this dish doesn’t look like much but it’s a whole different story when it enters your mouth. Although there’s no physical trace of chicken in the agnolotti, the flavour that bursts through was akin to a hearty roasted chicken meal complete with mash, peas and the works. The crispy bacon added a nice contrast of texture and a kick of saltiness.

The European seabass fillet with sauteed mushrooms and potato ($42) followed after. Wasn’t exactly a big fan of this main but the fish was well executed and I liked that the sauteed mushrooms and potato had strong hints of basil.

Lastly, the Pièce de résistance; Crispy “suckling pig” lacquered with acacia honey & balsamic vinegar ($48) that was accompanied with braised endives. I’m usually not a pork person but wow, this bought me over. Think sinking your teeth through perfectly crisped skin and into the juiciest, most succuluent piece of meat. All I can say is yes, yes & yes. A must-have!

Our meal at Otto Restaurant ended with Creme Brulee ($14). One thing I particularly love about this dessert (besides eating it) is the part where I get to use a spoon to tap on that thin glass of torched sugar and hear the sound of it crackle.

So I did, revealing a silky, smooth vanilla cream infused with kaffir lime leaves and citrus notes, paired nicely with marinated strawberries.

If you’re looking to try an Italian restaurant that’s authentic and classic with a modern twist, Otto Ristorante is a great place to head to (if you haven’t already). I assure you it most likely won’t be your only visit.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Otto Ristorante
28 Maxwell Road, #01-02
Red Dot Traffic Building
Tel : +65 6227 6819
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm
Mon to Sat: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Sun)

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

Jolene Koh is the owner of Cupcake Weekend, which provides artisan cupcakes for every occasion. From media events, product launches, birthday parties, to weddings, baby showers, as personalized favours or just because you feel like having a cupcake.

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