Showing posts with label Italian Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian Food. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

RUBATO Restaurant @ Greenwood Avenue - A Taste Of Italy In The Neighbourhood Since 2009

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Nestled in the quaint Greenwood Avenue neighbourhood is RUBATO, an Italian restaurant that has found its place since 2009. It prides itself on offering its selection of Italian food in small batches, only roasting and baking upon order. The selection is extensive, from All Day Breakfast to classic Italian starters and mains, various grilled meats, and homemade desserts.

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Their Greenwood outlet has both indoor and outdoor seating, exuding a more casual, family-friendly vibe. Other establishments under them are RUBATO STEAKHOUSE @ Teck Lim Road, FESTIVO @ Mr Gallop and the soon-to-open RUBATO ITALIAN & ASIAN @ SAF Yacht Club.

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Michelin Quality Burrata 4.2/5

For our first starter, we had the Michelin Quality Burrata ($62), which had a huge ball of fresh burrata sitting in the middle of the plate on rocket leaves. It was dressed in olive oil and paired with aged parma ham, fresh and semi-sundried tomatoes.

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There were only 2 of us, but we polished this off. The lightly savoury burrata was incredibly creamy and perfectly matched the sweet semi-sundried tomatoes. I A dish that is good for sharing. I recommend getting some warm toasted bread to go with this!

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A Gift from the Angels 4.5/5

A Gift from the Angels (from $68) was a starter we noticed every table ordered. It features chilled angel hair pasta tossed in premium white truffle oil, topped with Hokkaido scallop sashimi, kombu, and 5g of Hokkaido Bafun Uni hidden under a generous shave of truffles.

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We could see the reason for its popularity, as the pasta was al dente with a lingering truffle fragrance that didn't overpower. You can opt to add another 80g portion of uni for $80. The dish is on the pricier end, but the portion was quite substantial for group sharing.

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RUBATO Mixed Grilled Platter 3.8/5

We had the RUBATO Mixed Grilled Platter ($288) served to sizzling hot for mains. Alongside shaved truffles and a medley of colourful vegetables, there was a grilled rack of lamb, chicken and pork chop. The vegetables were fresh and sweet. Our favourite was the lamb which was done tender and without any gameness. The chicken and pork chop, however, were a little too tough for our liking.

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Cherry Flambé 3.8/5

Our warm and friendly servers enthusiastically introduced us to one of their new boozy desserts, the Cherry Flambé. It was quite an experience watching our servers prepare this right next to our table, lighting the cherries on fire with a pour of brandy into the pan before plating it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. While we enjoyed the mix of sweet and alcoholic notes here, I wish more texture had been added, and a better quality vanilla ice cream was used.

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Apart from the a la carte menu, there are a few special events to look out for at RUBATO @ Greenwood. Ladies Night runs every Wednesday from 5pm to 10.30pm, and offers diners 1-for-1 house pour wines and prosecco.

The exciting Everyday Brunch Buffet costs $68 (up to $108) per pax from 11am to 4pm daily. The menu looks exciting with fresh Canadian oysters, a range of hand-stretched pizzas and pasta, charcoal-grilled Iberico pork and a rack of lamb, and many more. You can even opt for free-flow champagne for 1.5 hours at an additional $78.

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.


RUBATO Restaurant
12 Greenwood Ave
Singapore 289204
Tel: +65 94248258
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 2am

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]


Monday, November 14, 2022

Gourmet Italian Osteria (GIO) @ Tanjong Pagar - Showcases The Essence Of Traditional Italian Gastronomy With A Contemporary Approach

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Gourmet Italian Osteria at Tanjong Pagar is created to offer you high-quality dining experiences that you will get from an Italian restaurant in Venice or Rome. With vast experience under his belt, including being the creative director of Italian Trade Agency Pavillon at the Food and Hotel Asia 2022 in Singapore, Chef-in-House David Marchiori brought into Singapore not just genuine Italian flavours but also a taste from home. A series of 4-course set menus showcase the essence of traditional Italian gastronomy with a contemporary approach - Traditionals, Journey to Venice, Mama's Recipes and Signatures. We had the pleasure of trying out Signatures Se Menu, which serves the best of beef goodness of things.

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Balsamic Negroni

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Pizza Fritta con Chef’s Nduja e Burrata 4.5/5

The dinner started with Pizza Fritta con Chef's Nduja e Burrata, featuring a hot fried pizza base juxtaposed with cold and spreadable homemade pork salume, burrata, and spiked with fiery Calabrian chillies. Instantly transformed from a typical main to an appetiser, this fried pizza with its mouth-filling texture is the perfect accompaniment to your wines or, even better, Gio's Balsamic Negroni. I love how the cold, milky-sweet burrata harmonises the heat and savouriness of the chilli and the flavoursome pork salume.

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Beef Fillet Tartare 4.5/5

Our 2nd course is a Battuta di Filetto di Manzo con Zabaione al Parmigiano Reggiano e Prosciutto Chips. Chef David Marchiori believes in allowing the beef to shine. Hence GIO's Beef fillet tartare deviates from a typical steak tartare because it carries no acidity. Instead, the technique is more on amping up the savoury elements - a drizzle of Parmigiano zabaglione and brilliantly crowning the tartare with moreish prosciutto crudo chips.

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Beef Cheeks 4/5

The 2nd main was interesting - Guancetta di Manzo Brasata Biscottata con Verdure Baby. The beef cheek is first braised, then hand-pulled before being compacted into a block. Then it is portioned out like a brownie and pan-fried to crisp the exterior before being served. Hence, as my fork pierced through the crusty layer, it unveiled the gelatinous meat. What a refreshing way to enjoy beef cheeks!

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Pumpkin Ravioli 4.8/5

Before dessert, we also tried a tasting portion of Ravioli di Zucca, Amaretto e Ricotta Affumicata. The Pumpkin ravioli is made with the chef's mama's recipe that consists of amaretto and smoked ricotta, and it is the most memorable one to date. Unlike most pumpkin kinds of ravioli I had tried, this plate has so many more flavours permeating through and mingling with one another instead of just the singular sweetness of the pumpkin.

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Tiramisu 4/5

Dessert was Tiramisù al Pistacchio di Sicilia. The pistachio mascarpone was nutty and creamy but light and simply mellow sweet.

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GIO also has a strong curation of wines, including La Cantina Di Cunez Nadir, located near the town of Gressan, which offers a local mix of grape varieties and Tenuta Il Palagio, a Tuscan wine estate owned by rock star Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler.

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You may wish to join its House of Artisans of Wine – a wine club membership whereby the terroirs of hidden gem Italian wine-making are harvested and brought to a sharing community right here in Singapore. At an annual membership fee of SGD 500, members will receive a welcome vintage bottle, SGD 300 voucher to buy selected wine, special retail price for their exclusive wine selection, 15% discount on GIO's Artisans of Wine (AoW) list, exclusive wine scouting upon discovering a favourite Italian winery, as well as 30% discount on GIO's wine monthly events. Members also enjoy monthly special offers and monthly pre-order air shipments.

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.


Gourmet Italian Osteria (GIO)
27 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088450
Tel: +65 80301224
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu - 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1130pm
Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm -12midnight
Sat: 530pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell Road. Take Exit 1. Walk to Maxwell Well Road. Cross the road and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 minutes [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 7 minutes. [Map]

Friday, March 18, 2022

Gary's Restaurant @ Rochester Park - New Italian Fine Dining Restaurant In The West

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Gary's Restaurant is one of the newest restaurants to open in the Rochester Park area. The Italian restaurant was opened by founder and executive chef Gary Wu. He has honed his culinary skills in Michelin starred restaurant and cooking for the Brunei royal family, cabinet ministers, and celebrities. The restaurant is located in a 2-storey heritage black and white house, surrounded by vast greenery.

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Hokkaido Scallop “Crudo” 4.5/5

Our dinner at Gary's Restaurant started with the Hokkaido Scallop "Crudo" ($20). The Japanese scallop is paired with ikura, citrus salad, red radish, and dressed in a ginger ponzu sauce. I enjoyed how ginger ponzu brightened the sweetness of the scallop.

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Pan Seared Foie Gras 4.2/5

Next, we had the Pan Seared Foie Gras ($26). It is paired with onion chutney and aged balsamic. The sweetness helped to cut through the creaminess and richness.

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Carbonara 4.8/5

The Carbonara ($26) brought a smile to me. It is not the saucy type in which creams are added. Instead, it is the classic way of cooking carbonara. It may look simple, but it is a beautifully cooked pasta paired with crispy iberico chips, parmigiano and a dash of truffle oil. It has been a long time since I had such good tasting carbonara done the traditional way.

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Slow Cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek 4.8/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the fork-tender Slow Cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek ($38). It is soft and flavourful, paired excellently with sweet pea, sweet carrot and truffle crush potato.

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Tiramisu 4.5/5

I was told the Tiramisu ($14) is baked a la minute. The savoiardi soaked with Kahlua coffee liqueur and the mascarpone has just the right balance of sweetness, complemented by the right bitterness from the coffee and cocoa powder.

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Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gary's Restaurant
41 Rochester Drive
Singapore 138582
Tel: 65 89200200
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Take the sheltered walkway and walk towards Star Vista. Turn left onto Rochester Drive. Walk down Rochester Drive towards Rochester Mall. Take the staircase at the back of Rochester Mall. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Da Paolo Gastronomia @ Great World - Latest Addition Centred On An Expanded All-Day Dining And Retail Offering Within An Immersive Setting

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Da Paolo Gastronomia at Great World is the latest and the eighth gastronomia concept of the group. The concept offers all-day dining and a full retail selection. Customers at the new outlet can dine, purchase a takeaway or shop for pantry essentials.

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Balanced Bowl 4/5

From the Greens and Grains section, customers can customise their bowl from a selection of grains, proteins and vegetables. There is plenty of plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free option to choose from too. A Balanced Bowl ($13.90) comes with two grains & bases, one protein, two vegetables and one dollop. For the meat-lover, the Protein Plus Bowl ($16) comes with an extra protein selection. My balanced bowl comprises summer barley salad, Moroccan Chicken Thigh, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad, Kale, Broccoli Stems & Beetroot Salad and Vegan Chickpea Hummus.

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Salami & Sundried Tomatoes Panini 4.8/5

A must-have is the hearty Salami & Sundried Tomatoes Panini ($18). The freshly baked focaccia is generously packed with salami, sundried tomato mayonnaise, caramelised onions and provolone. It is also grilled to a delightful crisp. The customer has a choice of fries, salad or truffle fries for the accompanying side.

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Rucola e Crudo 4.2/5

From the pizza bar, we tried the Rucola e Crudo ($28). The freshly stone-baked Roman thin crust pizza is topped with 24-month old Parma ham, locally grown rocket leaves, shaved parmesan and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil

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Spaghettone Carbonara Calabrese 4.5/5

The Spaghettone Carbonara Calabrese ($25) may look simple, but it is packed with flavours. The al dente spaghetti is buried in a pool of spicy Calabrian pork salami (Nduja) cream-based sauce, topped with grated pecorino.

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Gelato 4/5

For dessert, customers can go for the house churned Gelato made freshly daily. We had the pistachio, salted caramel and dark chocolate. The flavours are not really exciting but classic. They are rich, dense and creamy. 

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Note: This is an invited tasting.


Da Paolo Gastronomia
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-163
Singapore 237994
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]


Saturday, September 11, 2021

Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - A New Chapter For The Iconic Bar & Billiard Room

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The iconic Bar & Billiard Room (BBR) at Raffles Hotel Singapore begins a new chapter, remaking itself as the vibrant Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse. It has transformed into a modern and energetic Italian concept, where authentic Italian cuisine is presented through the lenses of Chef de Cuisine Francesco Soletti.

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Our dinner started with the amuse bouche, a bite-size croquette topped with black garlic and a dash of lemon zest.

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Marinated Mackerel 4.5/5

Our dinner started with the Marinated Mackerel paired with red chicory condiment and roasted zucchini. The marination helps to tone down the distinct strong flavour of the mackerel, lending a balance yet accentuating the appreciation of the raw fish.

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Mazara del Vallo Red Prawn Tartare 5/5

The Mazara del Vallo Red Prawn Tartare blew me off with its finesse. The pairing of creamy buffalo, mozzarella, fine jelly and Kristal caviar accentuated the sweetness of the red prawn. The soul of the dish has to be the dashi-like fine jelly, binding the different components together.

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Marinated Sea Bream 4/5

The cleaning tasting Marinated Sea Bream brightened by the Amalfi lemon cream. However, I wouldn't say I liked the lemon peel, which leaves a lingering bitterness that throws the dish slightly off.

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John Stone 28-day Dry-aged Beef Carpaccio 4.8/5

Another impressive dish on the menu is the John Stone 28-day Dry-aged Beef Carpaccio, cleverly paired with pistachio cream, Italian buffalo ricotta, black truffle and wild herbs. Every component on the plate carries its flavours distinctly yet harmoniously to showcase the beautiful red meat.

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Eliche di Gragnano Pasta 4.5/5

For the pasta dish, we had the Eliche di Gragnano Pasta with lobster and eggplant. Some diners may find the pasta's texture a tad hard but believe me; it is the right texture. The more you bite on it, the more it grows on you. The citrus note makes it even more delectable.

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'Crazy Water' Seabass 4.8/5

The first thing I notice in the 'Crazy Water' Seabass is the deep-fried fish's scale customarily used only in Chinese cuisine, lending an extra crispy texture to the dish. With its tangy finishing, the light tomato broth complements the seabass, lifted by the sweetness of the clams.

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Homemade Strawberry Sorbet 4.5/5

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Signature Baba 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner, we have the Homemade Strawberry Sorbet and Signature Baba. The sweet and refreshing strawberry sorbet can double up as a palate cleanser too. As for the signature baba limoncello is drizzled onto the soft bread and topped with fluffy whipped cream. Finally, the wonderful dinner at Osteria BBR is drawn to a closure with the petite four.

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Petite Four

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Do drop by the bar for a drink or two before proceeding to dinner. It has one of the earliest happy hour, starting from 3pm to 8pm. In addition, there is a special promotion where guests can enjoy a platter of 6 fresh oysters and a bottle of prosecco for just $88.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121816
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 945pm
Bar
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Buona Terra @ Scotts Road - Tranforming Italian Cuisine Into A Contemporary Work Of Art

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I am actually surprised that Buona Terra located at Scotts Road has been around since 2012. It has been 8 years, and I only knew of the restaurant when it was awarded its first one Michelin star in 2019. Having passed the beautiful black and white colonial bungalow along Scotts Road on many occasions, it never occurred to be the restaurant is actually located at the cosy wing of the bungalow, hidden from the urban jungle in Orchard area.

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Crispy Potato and Cod Fish Mousse 4/5

I had the Buona Terra Experience 5-course Menu ($178) for lunch. The lunch started with 3 snacks item and a basket of housemade bread which comprises of Onion Foccacia, Dried Tomato Soft Roll and Sourdough.

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Butter Cone with Scallop Tartare and Caviar 4.5/5

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Tomato Ball 4.2/5

The three snack items are Crispy Potato and Cod Fish Mousse, Butter Cone with Scallop Tartare and Caviar, and Tomato Ball. I was really impressed with what I see and taste so far. I was sharing with my dining companions, I didn't feel like I am dining in an Italian restaurant, it felt more like a French restaurant.

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Snail Ragu with Martini Sabayon 4/5

The amuse bouche is Snail Ragu with Martini Sabayon. The creamy sabayon is actually is a mixture of cream, egg yolk and four kinds of pepper (Jamaican, Javanese, Indian and Sarawak). It is even smoked with applewood chips just before servicing.

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Beef Carpaccio with Porcini Mushrooms 4.8/5

The Beef Carpaccio with Porcini Mushrooms uses Kagoshima Wagyu Sendai A5 Sirloin. A lot of prep work is behind the beautiful dish. The wagyu is coated in seasoning and chilled in the chiller for a couple of hours. The rub is then washed off, and the wagyu is then chargrilled and smoked with cherry wood before leaving it in the freezer. It is then thinly sliced for serving.

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Seared Scallop, Jerusalem Artichoke, Sea Asparagus and Anchovy Sauce 4/5

Next from the sea, we have the Seared Scallop paired with Jerusalem artichoke, sea asparagus and anchovy sauce. The live Hokkaido scallop is super huge, plump and sweet.

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Tagliolini with Crab and Caviar 4.5/5

A staple in Italian cuisine is their pasta. Made inhouse is the Tagliolini which has a firmer bite compare to others. The texture of the pasta really stands out for me. The texture reminds of the Chinese Ee Mian texture.

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Chargrilled Dry Aged Mieral Pigeon with Figs and Pumpkin, Amaretto and Moscato 4.2/5

The Chargrilled Pigeon is from Mieral, France dry-aged for 10 days and served in two ways. I am not sure whether it is due to the dry-ageing, I find that it has a deeper flavour. In fact, you don't get that liver-like taste which most diner may dislike.

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Salted Milk Ice Cream, Dulce De Leche, Italian White Truffle 5/5

Diners can choose to add on $50 for the pre-dessert with 5g of white truffles. The Salted Milk Ice Cream with dulce de leche is topped with shaved Italian white truffle. Ice cream and white truffle is an unusual pairing, but the combination tasted heavenly.

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Pear and Ricotta Cheesecake 4/5

Dessert is Pear and Ricotta Cheesecake which is beautifully presented with a scoop of pear sorbet. What I enjoyed is the multi-textural and flavours in each bite.

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Fruit Gelee

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Baci di Dama

Wrapping up the 5-course meal is a trio of Fruit Gelee, Baci di Dama and Cannolo. The fruit gelee reminds me of my childhood day. My favourite goes to the cannolo for its delightful crunch and nuttiness.

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Cannolo

As this is the white truffle season, diner can choose to add them to enhance any dish at $88 for 10g or $10 per gram. For wine lovers, Buona Terra boasts a collection of over 250 labels include vintages and limited bottles that are rarely available commercially, earning the restaurant recognition among the 5 top wine lists for Italian wines in Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Buona Terra
29 Scotts Road
Singapore 2282244
Tel: +65 67330209
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Newton (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri & PH: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat & PH: 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right onto Scotts Road. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Orchard Road (Stop ID 09023). Take bus number 124, 143, 162, 167 or 972. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]