IL Giardino @ The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens) - Italian Cicchetti Dining with Asian Twists

il Giardino is the newest addition to The Garage at Level 2 of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, introducing an Italian dining concept served cicchetti-style, perfect for sharing among groups. Opening in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Gardens' UNESCO World Heritage status this month, the restaurant offers a lush, garden-side setting with Italian creations elevated by fragrant local herbs and subtle Asian touches. It's an inviting spot for couples, families, and friends to gather over good food and conversation.

Beer Bread 'Gnoco Fritto' with Ginger Flower Salsa Verde 4/5

We began with the Beer Bread ‘Gnoco Fritto’, served warm with a ginger flower salsa verde. The bread had a pleasant chew, reminiscent of our local ‘butterfly’ snack, with an airy pocket inside. The salsa verde added brightness and a subtle floral lift.

Artigiana Burratina 4.2/5

The Artigiana Burratina ($19) was luxuriously soft and creamy, paired with sour plum tomatoes, carrot purée, and trapanese & mint pesto for a vibrant punch of flavour. Almond nuts added a nutty crunch to contrast the creaminess.

Panzanella 'Singapura' 3.5/5

Panzanella 'Singapura' ($16) reimagines the rustic Italian dish with local twists comprising green mango, croutons, cashew nuts, and "ugly" heirloom tomatoes that might otherwise be discarded. The smoked tamarind vinaigrette tied it together with bright, tropical acidity.

il Giardino Hand-Cut Pressed Potatoes 4.2/5

These il Giardino Hand-Cut Pressed Potatoes ($16) delivered a crispy exterior with a soft, fluffy interior. Scallion and kelp lent an aromatic lift, while the roasted garlic aioli dip added a creamy, savoury depth.

il Giardino Slow Cooked Venetian Octopus 4.2/5

Seafood lovers can savour il Giardino's signature Slow-Cooked Venetian Octopus ($22 S / $32 L), tender and delicately infused with fresh lemon and Laudemio extra virgin olive oil (a premium blend from 21 historic estates in Tuscany). The dish is further elevated with housemade gremolata and ginger flower salsa verde, served alongside warm house bread. Adding to its charm, the octopus is plated tableside from a large pot, exuding a rustic elegance.

Spaghetti alle Vongole 4.2/5

Cooked to an al dente bite, the Spaghetti alle Vongole ($19 S / $28 L) was perfumed with fresh clams, garlic, white wine, and parsley. Herb crumbs on top added extra texture and savouriness.

Porcini & Ricotta Cheese Ravioli 4/5

The Porcini & Ricotta Cheese Ravioli ($16 S / $24 L) was rich with a five-cheese sauce, enhanced by fried sage and hazelnut for fragrance and crunch. The pear compote offered a refreshing contrast to the cheese’s richness.

Parma Pizza 3.8/5

From the Ciabatta Romana Pizza selection, the Parma Ham ($19 S/ $28 L) version came topped with parma ham, mushrooms, arugula, honey, and truffle cream. It offered a lively mix of sweet, savoury, and earthy flavours on a satisfying dough base.

Pan Roasted King Salmon 3.8/5

The Pan Roasted King Salmon ($28) was crowned with a crisp parsley and pine nut crust. The ginger flower salsa verde and Chef Felix's eggplant caponata, which was tangy and flavour-packed, made for a bright pairing.

Half Roasted Corn-fed Chicken 3/5

The Half Roasted Corn-fed Chicken ($18 half / $28 whole) was moist and succulent from brining and roasting, finished with a light Amalfi lemon caper sauce. A deeper char or punchier seasoning could elevate it further.

Slow Braised Osso Bucco 4/5

The Slow-Braised Osso Bucco ($28 S / $38 L) presents fork-tender veal bathed in a luxurious Barolo wine jus, paired with silky whipped potatoes and brightened by a zesty kaffir lime gremolata. This refreshing Asian twist cuts through the richness. Of the three mains, this was easily my favourite.

il Giardino Affogato 3.8/5

A decadent finale, the il Giardino Affogato ($14) featured gelato on a crunchy buttered base of almond and upcycled ground coffee. A hot espresso pour melted the Valrhona chocolate shell, revealing berries and mint — aromatic, dramatic, and delicious.

Crispy, Fried Italian Pastries 'Chiacchiere' 3/5

Choose from vanilla, hazelnut, honey ginger, or blood orange sorbet/gelato with these airy, crispy Fried Italian Pastries 'Chiacchiere' ($16). Dusted generously with powdered sugar, they were light and sweet, though more memorable for texture than flavour.

With its cicchetti-style Italian menu infused with local and Asian touches, il Giardino makes for a charming dining experience in one of Singapore’s most scenic settings. While some dishes could use a little more punch, most plates hit a satisfying balance between creativity and comfort, making it a welcome addition to the Botanic Gardens dining scene.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


IL Giardino
The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
Level 2
50 Cluny Park Road
Singapore 257488
Tel: +65 9831 1106
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Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Fri: 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to Cluny Park Road. Turn left onto Cluny Park Road and continue walking down the road. At Cluny Park Gate, walk in and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Peperoni Pizzeria @ Greenwood Avenue - For Hearty Wood-fired Pizzas, Pastas, Diverse Mains and Desserts

Peperoni Pizzeria has long been a well-known brand for its wood-fired pizzas, most notably the XXL 21” versions that let diners mix and match flavours with a half-and-half option.

Since opening in 2004, it has grown to six outlets across Singapore, including its original location at Greenwood and branches in Suntec, United Square, Biopolis, Upper Thomson, and Frankel. The brand has also recently refreshed its dessert and drink offerings to complement its core menu.

Blistered Cherry Tomatoes 3.8/5

We stopped by the cosy Greenwood outlet to sample several items, starting with the Blistered Cherry Tomatoes ($16). The appetiser brought together sweet roasted tomatoes, creamy stracciatella, and crusty bread, lifted by a fragrant basil dressing that added both savoury and sweet notes.

Pumpkin Gnocchi with Bacon & Sage Oil 4.2/5

For pasta, the Pumpkin Gnocchi with Bacon & Sage Oil ($26) stood out with its balance of creamy pumpkin sweetness, savoury sautéed bacon, and crunchy asparagus. It was rich but not cloying, making it easy to enjoy the whole plate.

Large 12” Pizza - Half & Half 4/5

Naturally, we couldn't skip their signature pizza. We opted for the Large 12" Pizza ($27) in a half-and-half style. One side featured the Brown Butter Pulled Chicken with scamorza, kale, balsamic onions, and parmesan. The other was the Salmon & Asparagus, topped with salmon chunks, furikake, grated egg, and sweet mayo. Both were served on a tomato base with mozzarella. The pizza base and crust were thin, perhaps even thinner than I recall from my last experience. They also leaned more crunchy than chewy.

Roasted Beetroot Caprese 3.8/5

For something meatless, we tried the Roasted Beetroot Caprese ($24), a vegetarian main with roasted beets, pesto, polenghi, and baked vegetables like baby corn and brussels sprouts. The nutty pesto tied the elements together well, though the tang of the baby corn didn’t quite win us over.

Baby Back Ribs 3.5/5

We also sampled the Baby Back Ribs ($37), served with a side of mesclun and fries. While we appreciated that the sauce wasn’t overly sweet, the ribs themselves were too tough for our liking.

Apple Brick 3.8/5

For dessert, we had the Apple Brick ($12), one of the new additions to the menu. It featured caramelised apple slices tucked into a crisp fried pastry, served with vanilla gelato. The contrast between warm and cold was delightful, though we hoped for a more pronounced apple flavour.

Affogato 4/5

To finish, we enjoyed the Affogato ($10), a simple yet comforting treat of vanilla gelato, espresso, and chocolate chips.

Beverages

Their revamped drinks list includes refreshing options like the Citrus Thyme Soda ($8) made with housemade lime syrup and herbs, and the Peperoni Sunset ($8), a citrusy blend of lime, orange, and mint. These are more for diners with a sweet tooth.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Peperoni Pizzeria
6 Greenwood Avenue
Singapore 289195
Tel: +65 6681 6734
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Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 3pm 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk straight to Hillcrest Road. Turn right onto Hillcrest Road. Walk down Hillcrest Road and make a left into Greenwood Avenue. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Xi Men Jie (西門街) @ The Rail Mall - New Casual Eatery Serving Popular Taiwanese Dishes

Taiwanese casual eatery Xi Men Jie (西門街) opened in 2015 and has steadily expanded to eight outlets across Singapore. The latest addition is located at The Rail Mall, conveniently situated at the end closest to The Rail Corridor.

Stepping in, the interior is bright, clean, and spacious. The menu focuses on popular Taiwanese staples, including Mee Sua, Braised Pork Rice, and Street Snacks, alongside a variety of noodles, fried rice, soups, and porridge options.

Ocean Blue Sparkle

We started with the Ocean Blue Sparkle ($6.90), a white peach-based drink with jelly cubes. This was too sweet for our taste. The beverage choices here are vast, ranging from bubble tea to homemade drinks and more classic hot beverages.

Xiao Tang Bao Soup Dumplings 3.8/5

The Xiao Tang Bao Soup Dumplings ($7.90) was served in a portion of six. Each dumpling carried a decent amount of savoury soup and tender meat.

Taiwan Smoked Sausage Egg Fried Rice 3/5

Next, we had the Taiwan Smoked Sausage Egg Fried Rice ($9.50). While we appreciated the use of pearl rice, the dish could be much better seasoned. Other fried rice options include pork cutlet, crispy chicken cutlet, and more.

Braised Pig Intestine Mee Sua 3.8/5

Last but not least, we had the Braised Pig Intestine Mee Sua ($8.90), a hearty and well-seasoned rendition. The mee sua is also available with other toppings, such as oysters and shredded chicken.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xi Men Jie (西門街)
The Rail Mall
398 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678049
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Choupinette @ Bukit Timah - Cosy French Cafe Founded in 2002 Offers Festive 5-Course Meal at $68/pax

Founded in 2002, Choupinette is a charming and quaint French cafe tucked along Bukit Timah, next to Coronation Plaza. Opened daily from 8am, it offers breakfast through dinner and a variety of pastries for takeaway.

Choupinette is decked out in delightful Christmas decorations to celebrate the festive season and introduces a special Five-Course Meal ($68/pax), comprising an Aperitif, Soup, Main, Dessert, and Drink.

Bread

Before starting the course, we began with warm, house-baked, light and crisp bread - a testament to the cafe's dedication to fresh, in-house baking.

Cocktail Joyeuses Fêtes

The first course, a festive cocktail named Cocktail Joyeuses Fêtes, sets quite a celebratory tone.

Crab Bisque 4.2/5

The Crab Bisque is a flavourful option for soups, balanced with bits of crab meat without being overpowering.

Soupe à l'Oignon 4.2/5

The classic Soupe à l’Oignon satisfies with its soft caramelised onions and gooey melted Gruyère.

Duck Breast Served with Raspberry Sauce 3.5/5

Next, we moved on to mains with the Duck Breast Served with Raspberry Sauce. Sliced thick, the duck was slightly chewy and leaned more gamey.

Salmon en Papillote with Herb Sauce 3.8/5

Our other main, the Salmon en Papillote with Herb Sauce, while generous in portion, fell short due to its dry texture.

Other main options for the course include Boeuf Bourguignon and Vegetable Gratin with Ratatouille.

French Apple Tart with Ice Cream 4.2/5

We went for the highly recommended French Apple Tart with Ice Cream for desserts. The warm, thin-crusted pastry carried slight sweetness from the apple slices, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate Mousse 4/5

The indulgent Chocolate Mousse delivered in intensity in flavour, but my dining companion and I could have benefitted from a crunchier texture for balance. This would definitely be better for sharing as both texture and flavour could get too heavy for one.

Alternatively, the menu offers a classic Crème Brûlée as well.

The meal ends on a comforting note with a choice of tea or coffee, including options like Earl Grey, Chamomile, and Moroccan Mint.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Choupinette
607 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 269708
Tel: +65 6466 0613
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Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 8am - 4pm
Tue-Sat: 8am - 930pm
Sun: 8am - 430pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]