Ristorante Pietrasanta @ Connexis Tower, Fusionpolis - Authentic Tuscan-style Dining Inspired By The Town Of Pietrasanta

I could not believe this was my first time visiting Ristorante Pietrasanta until it recently relocated to Connexis Tower, Fusionpolis. It moved from Portsdown Road to the current location, which is more accessible. It is so much accessible now located just beside the One-North MRT station.

Burrata 4.5/5

The Italian Burrata ($42.90) is not available on the menu flown in from Italy every three days. The 300g fresh Italian burrata is served with cold-pressed olive oil, parma ham, rocket salad, San Marzano tomatoes. The chef's brother specially produces the olive oil in Italy to a long-kept family recipe. This olive oil makes Ristorante Pietrasanta's burrata apart from its competitors.

Porchetta 4.2/5

I would recommend having the Porchetta ($24.90) to go with the burrata. It comes with thinly sliced roasted pork belly with rocket leaves. It is further sweetened with Italian tomatoes, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and Giuseppe Giusti 15 years aged balsamico.

Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo 4.5/5

A must-have is the pasta dishes at Ristorante Pietrasanta. They handmade all their pasta daily. With their opening at their new location, the restaurant is bringing back its most popular pasta dish - Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo ($28.90). It is also known as the Italian bak chor mee for the pork ragout in a light cream sauce tossed in the handmade fettucine pasta.

Fresche Gamberi E Pomodori Secchi 4.8/5

If the Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo is good, the Fresche Gamberi E Pomodori Secchi ($28.90) is even better. The tagliatelle cooked with fresh prawns, semi-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and prawn broth is packed with robustness, with its fragrance wafting through the air.

Bistecca Alla Fiorentina 4.2/5

The Bistecca Alla Fiorentina ($149.90) is excellent for sharing, which comes in a 1kg grilled Angus T-Bone cooked in Tuscany style accompanied with roasted potatoes and beans. No sauce is served here. The steak is simply grilled with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme to fully appreciate its natural beefy boldness.

Galletto Disossato Arrosto $34.90

The Galletto Disossato Arrosto ($34.90) doesn't come with any sauce like the Angus T-bone steak. The whole organic chicken imported from Europe is roasted and deboned. The succulent spring chicken is further garnished with garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, elevating the taste profile.

For the festive period, Ristorante Pietrasanta has launched a 4-course Festive Menu ($88+) available only from 1 to 31 December 2021. The festive menu is available for both dine-in and takeaway. Orders are to be placed 3 days prior via 98639253.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Ristorante Pietrasanta
1 Fusionpolis Way
#01-08
Singapore 138632
Tel: +65 98639253
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: One-North (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at One-North MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right and walk out of the building. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Chen Mapo Tofu @ Star Vista - Michelin Bib Gourmand Eatery Chen’s Mapo Tofu Opens 2nd Outlet

Chen's Mapo Tofu, the affordable sister concept of Chen Kentaro's two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Shisen Hanten opens its second outlet at Star Vista in the West. Chen's Mapo Tofu, with its first outlet at OUE Downtown Gallery, is known for its fuss-free dining option offering a unique fusion of Szechuan cuisine with Japanese influences.

Spicy Szechwan Dumpling 3/5, Szechwan Popcorn Chicken 4/5, Banbanji Chicken 4/5

Before moving to the mains, I started with some sides to whet up the appetite. I tried their Spicy Szechwan Dumpling ($5), Szechwan Popcorn Chicken ($5), and Banbanji Chicken ($4). I enjoyed the Szechwan Popcorn Chicken for its addictive crispiness and Banbanji Chicken for the delectable peanut sauce. As for the Szechwan Dumpling, I felt the sauce is not fragrant enough.

Mapo Don 4.5/5

One of Chef Chen Kentaro signature dishes at his two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Shisen Hanten is his mapo tofu. It is great to know that you can savour the same recipe in the Mapo Don ($10.80) at Chen's Mapo Tofu. I like the mapo tofu here for the Dou Ban Jiang (broad bean paste) sauce packed with depth, coupled with minced meat in the sauce. It enlivens the whole enjoyment.

Dan Dan Mien 4.2/5

I had the dry version of the Dan Dan Mien when I visited the OUE Downtown Gallery outlet. I didn't enjoy it back then. However, I enjoyed the soup version of the Dan Dan Mien ($11.80). The sweet and nutty peanut sauce complement the noodle excellently for a slurping good time.

Diners can also go for the Signature Combo ($14), which you get to try both the mapo don and dan dan mien but half portion.

Kurozu Buta Don 4.2/5

A new dish on the menu is the Kurozu Buta Don ($15.30). The kurozu vinegar pork is crispy and chunky served on top steaming, fragrant rice with green and red capsicum.

Kaisen Katayaki 4/5

Another new item on the menu is the Kaisen Katayaki ($15.50). It will be familiar to Singapore palate, similar to the local zichar crispy noodle dish. Chen's Mapo Tofu's version comprises stir-fried seafood and vegetables with a rich gravy on crispy fried noodles. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chen's Mapo Tofu 
Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-08
Singapore 138617
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Le Shrimp @ The Star Vista - Special New Seasonal Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen Only For June 2019

Le Shrimp the latest concept by Paradise Group which first opened its door at Paragon has opened two more outlets at Changi Airport Terminal 3 (public area) and The Star Vista. I dropped by their newest outlet at The Star Vista, which has 62 seats to have their Japanese shrimp ramen broth with silky ribbons of Chinese la mian.

Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen 3.5/5

For a limited period from 1 June to 30 June 2019, Le Shrimp is offering a new creation - Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen ($19.90). It is a dry version with a specially concocted sauce for the la mian, topped with peeled fresh prawns, ebiko prawn paste, prawn dumplings, cucumber strips and cabbage. I felt that the sauce didn't quite have the punch I was expecting. It lacked that fragrant and fiery kick.

Spring Roll 4/5

Long Jing Tea Lava Egg 4.2/5

You can complement your meal with the crispy Spring Roll and Long Jing Tea Lava Egg. I personally felt that a bowl of ramen is not complete without the lava egg.

Le Signature Trio Shrimp Ramen 4.2/5

My favourite is still the Le Signature Trio Shrimp Ramen ($19.90). The rich and flavorful broth with its distinctive smoky aroma is topped with fresh prawns, handmade ebiko prawn paste and prawn dumplings.

At Le Shrimp, diners can top-up $3.20 to include an appetiser and a drink with every order of noodle.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Le Shrimp
The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-24
Singapore 138617
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 35 minutes. [Map]

Empress Porridge @ Fusionpolis Galaxis - 无米粥 (no rice grain) Porridge Steamboat

Empress Porridge was first established in NUH Medical Centre and has since become known for their home cooked flavours with a rotating menu of wholesome dishes. Now setting foot in Fusionpolis Place, Empress Porridge continues to warm your bellies with an expanded menu with two new additions - Porridge Steamboat and Take Home Dinner.

Porridge Steamboat 3.5/5

The Porridge Steamboat ($15) comes with a finely milled porridge base, along with an assortment of protein and vegetables. To achieve the desired grainless texture, the Empress Porridge’s 无米粥 is slow cooked for hours which at the same time draw out the sweetness of the rice.

Portion for two

Minimum 2 pax is required. Each set comes with fresh prawns, sliced fish, white and brown mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, ring ring beancurd roll including your choice of beef/chick/pork meatballs. Additional charges apply to add-on meat and vegetables. The fish slices were quite good, I like the hint of rice wine that came along with it. I do not recommend choosing beef out of the 3 meat options. I had that but I do not like the taste of it at all. Hence, best to go for either the chicken or the meatballs. The meatballs were sweet and juicy, couldn't be any better to go with the velvety porridge.

Mustard Leaves Fried Rice

A thoughtful touch added to this set is the mini bowl of Mustard Leaves Fried Rice that will be served to you to wrap up your meal. This is to make sure that you are really full at the end of this humble feast!

Empress Porridge 3/5

Solo diners can simply go for the Signature Empress Porridge ($4.80) for similar comfort. Signature Empress Porridge is cooked with a mixture of brown and white rice, simmered with dried scallops, cuttlefish, dried shrimp, tender pork collar and braised peanut. Brown rice gave it more bite which I find a lot more satisfying than just using plain white rice. The savoury taste come mainly from the dried scallops and shrimps which elevates the enjoyment of the porridge. However, there might be a need to cut back on the dried shrimps as they can get rather overwhelming after a few bites.

Carrot Cake 3/5

Prawn Paste Chicken 3/5

Other familiar delights includes Carrot Cake ($2.50) and Prawn Paste Chicken ($2.50). Pricing is economical, considering that these are not from your neighbourhood hawker centre or coffeeshop. The radish on the carrot cake is done in-house which flavoured the fluffy egg nicely, just like Cai Pok egg! The 'cake' itself is mediocre but it will satiate your craving nonetheless. The prawn paste chicken was a bit oily but if you like chicken kaarage, this is not too far off.

A quick solution to having homecooked food is their Empress' Take Home Dinner. From $9 onwards, each set comes with 1 bowl of heartwarming soup, slow-cooked daily for up to eight hours, 3 hearty dishes and 1 variation of rice dish. Check out their website for more information on pricing and dishes available.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Empress Porridge
Fusionpolis Galaxis
1 Fusionopolis Place
#01-15
Singapore 138522
Tel: +65 93836788/ 69095228
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: One-North (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 730am - 730pm
Sat: 8am - 1pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction: 
1) Alight at One-North MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]