Pietro Ristorante Italiano is tucked in a corner of Jalan Kelulut—a private residential area in Yio Chu Kang—and it has been dishing out authentic Italian dishes to its regulars since 2012.

The restaurant is segregated into two areas—al fresco dining and indoor seating. Deep shades of red on the wall, wooden furniture and a hanging chandelier; the restaurant gives off a homely and cosy ambience.

Helmed by Chef Aaron Png, Pietro Ristorante Italiano offers a wide variety on their menu. Go for the complete Italian experience by having a taste of the antipasti, salads, pasta, pizzas, mains and desserts.

From now until 15 December 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 1-for-1 antipasti, pasta, pizza and mains from Mondays to Thursdays (lunch and dinner), as well as Saturdays (lunch) at Pietro Ristorante Italiano.

ANTIPASTI (APPETISERS)

The Antipasti menu features a selection of classic Italian starters such as Calamari Fritti (S$18++), Carpaccio di Manzo (S$22++) and the excellent Calamari e Gamberoni (S$28++)—an entire squid, grilled to perfection with King prawn stuffing, garlic, butter, a few drops of lemon and a dash of white wine.

PRIMI PIATTI (PASTA)

Italians actually have their pasta as a starting course before proceeding to their mains, so the term “Primi Piatti” refers to first dishes. Although it is unlike our culture to have it as a starter, do not shy away from doing so; after all, it is only right we do the Italian way when in an Italian restaurant.

People often comment that it is a mistake to order a squid ink pasta on your first date, but we would do so anyway with the Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia (S$28++) because it is one of the best things on the menu. It comes fashionably with prawns, squid, scallop, clams and garnished with chilli.

Other pasta that you can find on the menu include Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Fungi (S$18++), Linguine Alfredo al Frutti di Mare (S$26++) and Spaghetti alla Carbonara (S$18++).

RISOTTO

We Asians can never back away from our staple, even at an Italian restaurant. That is especially true at Pietro Ristorante Italiano, because the Risotto di Mare e Zafferano (S$28++) looks extremely fine.

The risotto rice comes in a bright shade of yellow due to its buttery saffron cream sauce and has toppings such as prawns, clams, squid and scallop.

DAL FORNO O (TRADITIONAL BRICK PIZZA OVEN)

There is a counter right at the end of the restaurant where you can watch the chef assemble your pizza before putting them into a traditional brick pizza oven.

The Pizza Carnivora (S$26++) was served with edges slightly charred, but that’s how we love our pizzas. Generous chunks of mushrooms, ham, minced beef, homemade sausage, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese were placed on top of the thin crust which was lavishly smeared with tomato sauce.

The purists will enjoy the Pizza Margherita (S$16++) and Pizza Funghi (S$20++). For something more extravagant, go for the Pizza Prosciutto di Parma (S$32++).

There are seven pizzas—including Pizza Margherita, Pizza Hawaiian, Pizza Romana—that you can get with the 1-for-1 promotion.

CARNE & PESCE (MEAT & SEAFOOD)

The Pancetta Arrosto (S$24++) blew our minds. This is a roasted pork belly dish with the best crackling skin we can ever ask for; it was extremely crispy and falls into crumbs in our mouths.

You will also find porcini mushrooms and kidney beans on the side, with apple sauce for dips. Now, listen up—no one steps out of Pietro Ristorante Italiano without trying this.

That’s not all. You can also have the sublime Merluzzo (S$34++)—a perfectly cooked Cod fish with white wine, purple grapes and cherry tomato sauce; and the ever-popular Filetto di Manzo—grilled Australian beef tenderloin with red wine porcini sauce.

From the Meat & Seafood menu, you can enjoy 1-for-1 promotion on the Pan-fried Salmon Fillet (S$26++), Rosemary Chicken (S$22++) and Crispy John Dory Fish (S$22++) with white wine sauce.

DESSERTS

Forget about your usual chocolate lava cake. At Pietro, there is a Tortino di Cioccolato al Pistachio (S$15++)—pistachio flavoured lava cake so well done that all it takes is just one cut on the cake to unleash the warm pistachio flood. It is paired with a scoop of vanilla gelato, and when eaten together, everything is just a creamy goodness that is unbelivable.

Another popular dessert item is the Tiramisu al Pistachio (S$14++). Yes, the tiramisu is filled with layers of Mascarpone cream for the sweet tooth! This one has strong espresso coffee flavours with a subtle hint of pistachio taste.

From now until 15 December 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 1-for-1 antipasti, pasta and pizza (on selected dishes) at Pietro Ristorante Italiano. The promotion is valid from Mondays to Thursdays (lunch and dinner), as well as Saturdays (lunch).

Pietro Ristorante Italiano
12 Jln Kelulut
Singapore 809030
Tel: +65 6484 5528
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Buangkok/ Fernvale

This post was brought to you by Pietro Ristorante Italiano.

Black is sexy, and always will be. And more restaurants turn to squid ink and charcoal to enhance the appearance of their dishes; well, we are not even complaining. Some might argue they are gimmicky, but looking at a sleek and seductive black dish on your table is an excitement that is quite second to none – this, no one can deny.

That old-fashioned curiosity then kicks in, and if the taste of the dish turns out better than it looks, it puts us on a high. Bring on those gimmicks; the best ones will prove you wrong.

We handpicked some of our favourites to curate this list of the 10 Black Dishes in Singapore, and if you have more to suggest, pray tell because black will always be the new black – even for food.

#1 BLACKBIRD BISTRO & BAR – SOUTHERN BURGER

Blackbird’s Southern Burger has been one of our favourite affordable burgers because for a friendly price tag of S$16.80, you will be treated to a juicy fried chicken patty in a gorgeous charcoal bun. It definitely tastes as alluring as it looks.

6 Handy Road
Singapore 229234
Tel: +65 6337 3448
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Dhoby Gaut

#2 DOLCETTO BY BASILLICO – SQUID INK PANINI

Dolcetto has some of the best looking and tasting desserts in Singapore. However, what most people overlook is their menu of delicious deli bites that are great for a quick and light meal, or to take away.

The Squid Ink Panini (S$14) justifies its price tag with generous amount of prawns and crab meat tucked in between squid ink panini, with a crisp outer layer from being warmed on the griddle.

1 Cuscaden Road
Lobby Regent Hotel Singapore
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6720 8000
Daily: 7.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#3 MIN JIANG – CHARCOAL CUSTARD BUN

This custard bun took a spin around the sleek block and got itself a cool new look. Of course, the charcoal does not add much to the bun’s taste, but we can all agree that it looks better than before. Breaking open this bun is just like opening a treasure chest of liquid gold.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6730 1704
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#4 QUAYSIDE FISH BAR & BISTRO – SQUID INK LOBSTER SPAGHETTI

Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro has always been a frontrunner in offering the freshest seafood dishes and you should know by now how much we love dining there.

Their Squid Ink Lobster Spaghetti is a definite must-try. With squid ink that greatly enhances the taste of the pasta, this sexy dish is perfectly cooked with lobster, and it never disappoints.

31 Ocean Way #01-11
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6268 8633
Mon: 5.30pm – 12 midnight
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 10am – 1am
Sun: 10am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#5 SPATHE PUBLIC HOUSE – SQUID INK WAFFLES WITH PRAWNS

While we were on the search for Singapore’s most unique waffles, we chanced upon Spathe’s cool cat – Squid Ink Waffles. The squid ink waffle itself was a tad bit overwhelmingly black, but the overall taste of this dish was pretty darn good. We also liked how they took the risky path of using prawns to top off this savoury waffle dish – because nobody knew it would work and it did.

8 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-01
Singapore 238958
Tel: +65 6735 1035
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#6 STATELAND CAFE – TAN CHARCOAL THICK TOAST

As one of our go-to Shibuya toast places to head to, Stateland always has unique takes on trending cafe fare and they certainly did well with this black beauty. The toast itself was buttery, crisp on the outside and served warm.

32 Bali Lane
Singapore 189868
Tel: +65 8715 5475
Mon, Wed, Thu & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Bugis

#7 SUN RAY CAFE – CHARCOAL PORTOBELLO BURGER

A great option for vegetarians or vegans, the owner of Sun Ray Cafe (who is a vegetarian himself) decided to create a veggie burger that actually tastes so good that meat-lovers will approve. The addition of juicy portobello in between the charcoal buns is a genius move because all the flavours came together so perfectly.

79 Brighton Crescent
Serangoon Gardens
Singapore 559218
Tel: +65 6283 8700
Mon-Tue: 6pm -11pm
Wed-Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

#8 THE COLD PANTRY – CHARCOAL ROOT BEER WAFFLE

You should be familiar with The Cold Pantry’s Charcoal Root Beer Waffle (S$12.50) by now because it looks and tastes so good that got so many of us heading down to the cafe just for this specific dish.

Listed in our unique waffles piece, we were definitely unanimous on how good-looking (and tasting) this dessert waffle is. Do note that the waffle is very dense and is more cakey than it is waffle-y. But try it anyway; it is really good.

131 Rangoon Road
Singapore 218409
Tel: +65 9179 7266
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

#9 TIONG BAHRU BAKERY – SQUID INK BUN

Loaded with salmon, ham and pesto sauce, Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Squid Ink Bun (S$8.50) is a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. For just S$8.50, it is a great option for a simple, yet satisfying takeaway lunch. Enjoy this with a cup of coffee while you unwind with a magazine; we like our afternoons casual like that.

56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 6220 3430
Daily: 8am – 8pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#10 TWENTY GRAMMES – CHARCOAL SALTED EGG WAFFLES

Our eyes were glued to this beauty on a plate when our orders arrived at our table.

Enhanced with a rich salted egg sauce, we could not resist gobbling up this waffle completely. Choose between Twenty Grammes’ wide range of ice cream flavours to top your waffle off. Find out how you can get 50% off waffles here, until the end of October 2015.

753 North Bridge Road
#01-01
Singapore 198721
Tel: +65 6717 1733
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bugis

There has always been a debate over the difference between farm-bred and wild-caught fishes. The former, while much more readily available and affordable, has a higher chance of being contaminated, hence more prone to getting disease. The latter live in their natural habitats out in the open waters, and is hence a lot healthier. We can go on and on about the benefits of wild-caught fishes, but we will leave that for another day. While I am always happy to order wild-caught fishes when I dine out, restaurants in Singapore hardly place an emphasis on it and hence stick to using conventional farm-bred ones.

This is why I am so happy to introduce Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro as it is really a heaven for seafood lovers. Located at the charming Quayside Isle at the luxurious Sentosa Cove enclave, Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro has daily fresh imports of wild-caught seafood and fish from different parts of the world.

Appetising starters include Hokkaido Scallops Crudo (S$19), freshly shucked oysters, and the beautifully-plated Torched Holloumi Cheese (S$18). The pastas (S$28) are too delicious to a fault, and nobody can resist the Baked Half Boston Lobster (S$54). But the highlight of the menu – and something that you must order – is the qsfb’s Fresh Seafood Platter (S$150).

Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro has a spacious interior that looks very inviting and though nothing fanciful, it makes you want to sink in to the seat for a meal. The splendiferous waterfront view makes it a wonderful choice for all-day dining; breezy environment to say the least, and you cannot get any more relaxing than this. And the cherry on top? The al fresco area is pet-friendly.

The Torched Holloumi Cheese (S$18) – with compressed watermelon, wild rocket, raspberry wine vinaigrette and squid ink crumbs – is a work of art on its own. The very colourful dish is simply too beautiful to behold. It is intended to spark the palate and leave you anticipating what is to come.

The Horseradish Marinated Yellowfin Tuna Tartare (S$18) is also another great way to start your meal. So too are the oysters. If you like oysters, you will be spoiled by the choices at Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro. They have oysters (S$4.30 – S$9.35 per piece) from around the world – Tasmania, Scotland, Ireland, France, to name a few…

What I also like about Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro is that it has a special and very personalised Blackboard menu which changes daily with the freshest produce that the chefs source for the day. First, you choose a fish (min order of 200g for dine-in), then select your preferred cooking method – baked mole, herb crusted, roasted, cartoccio, and poached. And finally, choose the side dish to go along with the fish.

We tried a Chilean Seabass in Baked Mole style. The fish was fresh and tender, but what worked wonders for it was the sauce, which was tangy and very flavourful. It was accompanied by a generous stack of shoestring white truffle fries.

Among the three pasta dishes on the menu, we sampled qsfb’s Signature Chilli Crab Linguine and Squid Ink Lobster Spaghetti. The former was a kick-ass spicy and fiery hot rendition of the iconic Singapore dish, while the latter came in delicious squid ink XO cream with hint of brandy, topped with huge chunks of lobsters.

The standout dish on the menu is surely the qsfb’s Fresh Seafood Platter (S$150, for 2 to 3 pax) – with the choice of hot or cold – which features an entire Boston lobster, seasonal oysters, Hokkaido scallops, snow crab, crawfish, tiger prawns, scampi, and more truffle fries.

Desserts are baked freshly in-house, too. The Black Sesame Cheese Pound Cake (S$9), with a scoop of green tea gelato, is a unique creation. Chocolate Coated Strawberries (S$9) are bites of decadence. White Truffle Flavoured Lava Chocolate Cake (S$12) will make you go weak in the knees. But the must-try dessert is their Homemade Tiramisu (S$14), which is rich and doused in a copious amount of alcohol. This might just be one dessert to leave you with withdrawal syndrome – if that is even possible.

Citibank card holders get to enjoy a complimentary glass of sauvignon blanc or Pinot Noir with every S$60 spent at Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro (valid from Tue – Fri). Ultima Cardholders get 10% off total bill with minimum spend of S$100.

The weekly promotion here is also equally enticing. From a glass of Bloody Mary oyster shooter at a jaw-dropping S$5 (on every Sun), to a 1-for-1 deal on Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Prosecco (on every Tue), and 1-for-1 cocktails (on every Wed) – there is always something to anticipate at Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro.

If you are the adventurous type, and thinking of a place to celebrate Halloween with your pals, the “Peer by the Pier” Scary Halloween Party at Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro is definitely your kind of party. There are many scary activities lined up for the evening – expect free flow of brain booze for your indulgence if you dare. Find out more information on their facebook event page.

The marriage of super fresh seafood with an array of speciality cocktails, wines and craft beers served up in a comfortable and cosy gastrobar setting makes this fish bar at Quayside Isle a spot to head to if you haven’t been. For those of you who are already regulars there, the ongoing promotions are reason enough to make you return soon.

Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro
31 Ocean Way #01-11
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6268 8633
Tue: 9am – 12 midnight
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 9am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 12 midnight
Website: http://www.qsfishbar.com

This post is sponsored by Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro.

Note: La Villa has closed and it is currently looking for a new location.

Everytime I eat at La Villa, I wonder why I don’t come here more often. Housed within the old school premises of River Valley Primary School, La Villa by the Senso Group is a charming Italian restaurant that not only has a nice interior, but also a beautiful al fresco dining area facing the garden.

Singapore has no shortage of good Italian restaurants, but La Villa might just be one of the better spots in town.

From antipasti ($19-25) to burgers ($18-22) and soups ($16), to pizzas ($24) and pastas ($18-30), La Villa has a big menu that can satisfy everyone.

We were contemplating between the Risotto with Duck Confit ($24 for small, $28 for large) and the Crab Meat Penne Pasta ($20 for small, $24 for large), but eventually we decided to go for the Seafood Spaghetti with Mixed Seafood in Squid Ink Sauce ($22 for small, $26 for large). The pasta was cooked al dente and served with a good portion of seafood.

The Vongole ($22 for small, $26 for large) – linguine in white wine sauce with clams, prawns and fresh parsley – was also a winner.

For main courses, La Villa has several meat and fish options on the menu. For beef lovers, go for the Entrecote ($36), a 280g grain-fed ribeye with fries and vegetables. Otherwise, the Milanese ($30), a breaded veal rack in spicy tomato sauce is worth a try. The seafood choices include King Tiger Prawn ($32) and Oven Baked Sea Bass ($28).

Besides the tantalising main courses, La Villa also has a grilled menu which features a Meat Platter consisting of Welsh lamb rack, veal rack, chicken breast, grain-fed Australian beef ribeye, pork belly, pork and veal sausages; and a Seafood Platter with rock lobster, prawns, seabass fillet, snapper fillet, black mussels and lemon sole. Each platter is available at $38 for 1 pax, $58 for 2 pax, $78 for 3 pax, and $98 for 4 pax.

There are many reasons why you should go La Villa – the restaurant has a nice ambience, it is located in a central area, they offer complimentary parking (inform the staff that you are driving when you pay for the bill), and most importantly it serves good Italian food.

The prices are acceptable for the quality and the overall dining experience. I can see myself coming back for a pasta, and a pizza or main course for sharing. I think the desserts are slightly over-priced, so I would skip that and go somewhere else. Alternatively, La Villa has a very reasonable 3-course set lunch at $28, which is perfect if you have a long break or if you are meeting your clients for a casual lunch.

And one more thing to note, the restaurant will be operating until November 2013 as their lease at the current premise is up, so if you would like to go there, make it soon.

La Villa
341 River Valley Road #01-03
Tel: +65 6836 5286
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read my guide on Best Italian Restaurants in Singapore.

Located just a few units away from Pepperoni Pizza of Les Amis fame, one would question the viability of Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria at Binjai Park which similarly dishes up Italian classics. We were torn between safe and adventurous and were glad to be rewarded for picking Capri.

A waiter greets us at the door and leads us to a cosy corner. It’s homely and inviting and we instantly fall in love with this charming little Italian restaurant. Capri is as authentic as can be, with an artfully-styled brick-laid walls decorated with paintings reminiscent of what a restaurant in Italy would be like.

The menu features an affordable array of appetisers ($10-$18), pasta ($20-26), pizzas ($16-25) and mains ($26-148) including a tantalizing-sounding Florentine steak ($148). We asked for recommendations, and were pointed out more than half the menu. We’d like to think that is because the chef has got them all perfected.

The soup of the day was a stunning Seafood Soup ($10). The piquant tomato base with bold crustacean notes whetted our appetites. We appreciated the generous portion of seafood – prawns, clams and squid – that were sufficiently fresh to leave us wanting more.

And so more seafood we had, in our next dish of Scialatielli di Capri ($24). Baking in a parchment paper isn’t exactly our favourite cooking method for the way-past-al-dente noodles which lacked the satisfying bite and chewiness of a good pasta dish.

Touted as a must-try, the Ricotta e Pera ($10) fell short of expectations. While the biscuit crust and creamy ricotta was a fun contrast of textures, the taste came across as a tad one-dimensional.

We know a good squid ink pasta when we taste it, and the Ravioli al nero di seppia ($22) certainly fulfilled all the criteria for one. Said to be simmered over 6 hours, the viscous, unctuous sauce was a star of its own but eaten with the seafood and mascarpone ravioli brought this dish a notch higher.

The Lava Cake ($10), on the other hand, was phenomenal. Rich, warm and decadent molten chocolate beneath a crisp, almost wafer-like layer of baked chocolate cake, the theatrics that came with it – being set ablaze when served – was worth an order in itself.

We loved the food, but it was unfortunate that our experience was marred by the preferential service to the extent that we noticed even difference in the portions of our food; on a second visit our order of tagliere all italiana, unlike the opposite table, came with a single slice of parma ham and meagre pieces of burrata, and our lava cake didn’t come flaming (yes we still can’t get over that). But overlooking the patchy service, the chef’s passion is apparent through the attention paid to the preparation of Capri’s dishes. While portions weren’t exactly hearty, flavours are strong yet well-balanced. Capri’s definitely a gem of a restaurant and a welcome addition to the Bukit Timah area.

Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria
3 Binjai Park
Tel: +65 6468 4886
Daily: 12 noon – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Words and photographs by Sarah Lim.

Singapore has no shortage of good Italian restaurants, but it is not easy to find a pocket-friendly option. After having dinner at Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria at Duxton Road, I am happy to share that it is one of the places you should check out for pizzas and pastas.

Etna has a fairly large menu. For starters, you would be tempted by the popular antipasti ($18-24) like carpaccio di manzo, prosciutto e melon. They have pastas ($18-24) like linguine al granchio, gnocchi, and carbonara, while pizzas ($18-26) like margherita, frutti di mare and parmigiana are also available on the menu. Main courses ($26-64) such as the 600g bistecca alla fiorentina, and osso buco, are also very appealing.

For starters, we had burrata, and it was followed by the signature Etna pizza. Both dishes were good, and I’d definitely recommend them if you are dining at Etna Italian Restaurant.

Next, we had the risotto porcini ($23) which was slightly disappointing. A good risotto is smooth and creamy, with the rice having the perfect texture. But the one that we had did not meet expectations. I definitely have had better risottos before.

Luckily, the taglierini al nero di seppia ($24) was good. It was flavourful and cooked to the right consistency – not too wet, not too dry. If you have always wanted to try squid ink pasta, this is a good place to start.

The merest mention of the word “tiramisu’ can turn my head, and not surprisingly, we had it. We did not know what to make of Etna’s tiramisu with pistachio flavour ($10). On one hand, it was a good cake – something that you will finish on your own; on the other, it was lacking in terms of the flavour of liqueur and coffee. We also had the Etna lava cake ($10), and while I liked it, frankly, I was not overwhelmed.

All in all, the food at Etna at Duxton Road is decent enough for me to return when I want a reliable and hearty Italian meal.

Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
49/50 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6220 5513
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

For more recommendations, please read my list of best Italian restaurants in Singapore

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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Platypus Test Kitchen at Clifford Centre is a very interesting place. They have an unique name, and it is kind of difficult to define the place.

What exactly is a test kitchen? Is it like a lab where the chefs experiment with different ingredients to come up with the best pasta in Singapore? Or is it just a name to catch the attention of customers? Knowing absolutely nothing about the place, my friend brought me to the restaurant at Raffles Place to try out their food.

The owners describe Platypus Test Kitchen as a casual Mediterranean bistro, specializing in hand-made pastas and seasonal Mediterranean fare.

For a small bistro, Platypus Test Kitchen has quite a few items on its menu. The appetisers section consists mainly of salad (Wild Rocket Salad, Caramelised Baby Carrots, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon) and soup (Leek & Crab Bisque, Wild Mushroom Soup, Vine-Ripened Tomato Soup). The pasta menu is divided into two corners: fresh handmade pastas (Summer Truffle Egg Tagliatelle, Four Cheese Tortellini) and their signature pastas (Carbonara, Aglio Olio, Prawn Pomodoro).

Prices range from $5 to $9 for the soup and appetisers, while most of the pastas are around $12 to $15. It is also worth noting that they have a few selections that are suitable for vegetarians.

With so many pastas on Platypus Test Kitchen’s menu, it took us a while before we finally chose the Squid Ink Seafood Marinara ($15.50) and Carbonara with Double-Smoked Bacon ($12.50).

Both the squid ink tagliatelle and the spagehetti with egg yolk based cream were a little too dry for my liking. While the squid ink pasta was generous with the ingredients, I definitely had better ones elsewhere. On the other hand, the Carbonara was decent but not fantastic.

It is clear that Platypus Test Kitchen caters to the office crowd in Raffles Place for lunch. They operate from 10.30am to 5pm on weekdays, while dinner is available only on Friday night from 5pm to 9pm, and they are closed during weekends.

Maybe we ordered the wrong pastas. But I can see myself coming back again to try the other items. The pastas are reasonably priced, and they have some interesting creations on the menu. If you are working in the Raffles Place area, gather your colleagues and head to Clifford Centre to try the pastas during lunch time.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Platypus Test Kitchen
24 Raffles Place
#02-02 Clifford Centre Singapore
Tel: +65 6533 7402