Showing posts with label Mafaldine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mafaldine. Show all posts

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Osteria Mozza @ ION Orchard - Nancy Silverton’s Cal-Italian Cooking Finds a New Home With New Pizza alla Pala

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Nearly fifteen years after first opening its doors in Singapore, Osteria Mozza is starting a new chapter with its move from Hilton Singapore Orchard to a swanky new flagship space at ION Orchard. As the only Asian outpost of celebrated American chef Nancy Silverton’s one-Michelin-starred Los Angeles institution, Osteria Mozza has long been known for its ingredient-driven “Cal-Italian” cuisine — Italian culinary traditions interpreted through the sunny, produce-forward spirit of Southern California. The new space brings a refreshed menu, including the Singapore debut of Pizza alla Pala, a Roman-style pizza designed for sharing.

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“Pala” means paddle in Italian, and these pizzas arrive in their signature long, paddle-shaped form. Baked in an electric oven instead of the wood-fired oven used at the previous Hilton location, the Pizza alla Pala has a brilliantly light, airy interior and a crisp, well-baked crust that makes it surprisingly easy to keep reaching for another slice.

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Fungi Misti 4.5/5

We started with the Funghi Misti ($29), topped with Taleggio, Fontina, Thyme and Parmigiano Reggiano. This was one of my favourites, especially if you enjoy earthy and cheesy flavours. The generous mix of roasted mushrooms brings plenty of savoury, umami depth. At the same time, the combination of Taleggio, Fontina, and Parmigiano creates a wonderfully rich, creamy layer over the light pizza base. Fresh thyme adds a touch of woody fragrance, cutting through the richness and keeping the flavours from becoming too heavy.

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Spicy Tomato 4.2/5

The Spicy Tomato ($24) takes a much more minimalist approach. There is no cheese here — just tomato passata, chilli flakes and Sicilian oregano. The simplicity works in its favour, letting the sweet, tangy tomato and crisp, airy crust take centre stage. The chilli brings a pleasant kick while the oregano gives it that familiar Mediterranean character. At $24, this is also one of the more approachable options if you simply want to appreciate the Pizza alla Pala itself.

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Margherita 4/5

The Margherita ($28) keeps things classic with tomato, fior di latte and basil. The bright tomato sauce pairs well with the milky creaminess of the cheese, while fresh basil adds a familiar aromatic lift. Nothing too complicated, but sometimes a good Margherita is all you need.

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BLT 4/5

For something more indulgent, the BLT ($32) puts a playful Cal-Italian spin on the classic American sandwich. Instead of bread, you get the same familiar combination reworked on pizza, smoky bacon and pancetta, sweet tomato confit, and peppery rucola, all sitting over an onion cream base and finished with garlic aioli. The salty, crispy meats are balanced by the freshness of the rocket and concentrated sweetness of the tomato, making this a rather fun combination.

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Aglio e Olio 4.2/5

The Aglio e Olio ($23) is another white pizza, built on extra virgin olive oil and garlic with mozzarella and Fontina, then finished with chilli flakes and parsley. It has that familiar aglio e olio profile — garlicky, lightly spicy and savoury — but in pizza form. You can also add shrimp for an additional $15.

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Fennel Sausage 4.5/5

Our table’s favourite was the Fennel Sausage ($32). Made with panna, mozzarella, red onion and scallion, it comes with a creamy white base instead of tomato sauce. The fennel-spiced pork sausage adds a savoury, slightly sweet spice that works particularly well with the richness of the cream and mozzarella. The thinly sliced red onion and scallion provide just enough freshness to keep the pizza balanced. Definitely one I’d order again.

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Mozzarella di Bufala & Condimenti 4/5

Beyond the pizzas, the Mozzarella di Bufala & Condimenti ($38) is a staple from Osteria Mozza’s famous Mozzarella Bar. A generous ball of fresh buffalo mozzarella arrives with basil pesto, salsa romesco, black olive tapenade and caperberry relish, alongside warm grilled sourdough. The mozzarella is wonderfully soft and milky with a subtle sweetness, and the four condiments allow you to change up each bite. The pesto brings freshness, romesco adds smoky nuttiness, while the black olive tapenade is deeply savoury and briny. The caperberry relish provides a sharper hit of acidity, cutting through the richness of the cheese. With the warm sourdough on the side, this is an easy starter to share.

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Chicken Parmigiana Piadina 4.5/5

For lunch, the Chicken Parmigiana Piadina ($29) puts an Italian-American spin on the classic chicken parm. The warm piadina is lightly charred, stuffed with a crispy chicken cutlet, melted mozzarella, and Parmigiano, then finished with a creamy, tomato-rich alla vodka sauce. It is hearty, cheesy and comforting, with the crisp chicken providing a nice textural contrast to the soft flatbread and melted cheese. It comes with a choice of shoestring fries or insalata verde.

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Grilled Harissa Shrimp 4.2/5

The Grilled Harissa Shrimp ($30) brings a more Mediterranean-influenced touch to the table. Plump tiger prawns are grilled shell-on, giving them a lovely smoky char while locking in their natural sweetness. They are coated in fragrant harissa oil and served with garlic confit, roasted tomatoes and a thick slice of toasted crostone. The best part is probably what happens underneath the prawns. As the juices, harissa oil, garlic confit, and sweet roasted tomatoes mingle, the toasted bread soaks it all up. It is messy in the best possible way and makes the crostone impossible to leave behind.

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Mafaldine 4.2/5

For pasta, the Mafaldine with Ragù Bolognese ($26) is pure comfort food. The mafaldine has beautifully ruffled edges that hold onto the slow-cooked ragù. The meat sauce is rich and hearty without being overly heavy, balancing savoury meatiness with tomato acidity. Finished with a generous shower of aged Parmigiano Reggiano, this is the sort of pasta that feels familiar and satisfying from the first bite.

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Squid Ink Casarecce 4/5

The Squid Ink Casarecce ($28) takes things in a completely different direction. The pasta is tossed in a glossy red wine butter sauce enriched with squid ink and finely chopped cuttlefish. Garlic provides the savoury backbone, while jalapeño and a squeeze of lemon bring a welcome brightness. Despite the richness of the butter and squid ink, the citrus and gentle heat keep the dish lively rather than overly heavy.

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Sweet Potato 4.2/5

There are also plenty of vegetable sides worth ordering to balance the richer dishes. The Sweet Potato ($18) is particularly interesting. The Japanese sweet potato is roasted until tender and naturally caramelised, then paired with scallion sour cream and crisp fried prosciutto. The sweet, buttery potato, tangy cream and salty crunch of the prosciutto make for a surprisingly addictive combination.

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Roasted Heirloom Carrots 4/5

The Roasted Heirloom Carrots ($12) come with chickpeas, red onion, cumin and a bright dressing. The carrots are roasted until tender and naturally sweet, while the chickpeas add a pleasant bite and nuttiness. The dressing’s acidity lifts the dish and makes it a useful counterpoint to richer mains.

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Grilled Broccolini 3.5/5

The Grilled Broccolini ($18) is simply grilled over high heat until lightly charred while retaining a good crunch, then tossed in a sharp Dijon vinaigrette. The smoky char works nicely with the tangy mustard dressing, making this another refreshing side alongside the pastas and meats.

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Pork Chop Milanese 4.2/5

For something more substantial, the Pork Chop Milanese ($45) is a classic choice. The pork chop is pounded thin, breaded and fried until golden and crisp, while the meat inside remains tender. It comes simply topped with wild rocket and cherry tomatoes, whose peppery, acidic notes cut through the richness of the fried crust.

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B.T.S 4.5/5

And of course, dessert has to end with the cult favourite Black Truffle Sundae, or B.T.S. ($16). This is definitely not your usual sundae. Smooth Madagascan vanilla soft serve is topped with warm brown butter infused with black truffle, then finished with crispy buttered breadcrumbs and a touch of sea salt. The combination sounds unusual on paper, but the sweet, salty, buttery and earthy flavours come together surprisingly well. The warm brown butter melts into the cold soft serve, while the toasted crumbs provide a satisfying crunch. The truffle is present without completely overpowering the dessert.

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With its move to ION Orchard, Osteria Mozza gets a fresh new home while building on what has made the restaurant a familiar name in Singapore’s dining scene for almost fifteen years. The introduction of Pizza alla Pala is a welcome addition, with its light, airy crust making it an easy format to share across the table. From pizzas and handmade pastas to its iconic mozzarella bar and playful desserts, the new Osteria Mozza continues to capture Nancy Silverton’s Cal-Italian approach — generous, ingredient-driven food best enjoyed together.

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Note: This is an invited tasting.


Osteria Mozza
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#03-14B/15B
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 80496381
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit 4. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]



Friday, September 11, 2026

Caffe Fernet @ Customs House - Italian Dining with Marina Bay's View

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Sitting along the Singapore River with an unobstructed view of Marina Bay Sands, Caffe Fernet is one of those spots where the location is part of the experience. The open-concept space feels relaxed and breezy, making it an easy choice for after-work drinks, a casual dinner or a leisurely evening by the waterfront. The menu lends itself particularly well to sharing, with a selection of small plates, pastas and larger dishes that make it tempting to order a little bit of everything.

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Hamachi Crudo 3.5/5

We started with the Hamachi Crudo ($29), served with fennel and pickled celery. The thick slices of hamachi were fresh and refreshing, and the pickled celery added acidity to the dish. It was enjoyable on its own, but compared to some of the other small plates we had that evening, it was one of the less memorable ones.

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Zucchini Noodle Salad 4.8/5

Now this is one salad I would happily have an entire portion to myself! The Zucchini Noodle Salad ($22) was surprisingly flavourful, with mint, pine nuts and ricotta salata coating every strand of the zucchini noodles. Fresh and light yet packed with flavour, this was easily one of our favourites of the meal. Who knew zucchini noodles could be this addictive?

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Iberico Pork Pluma 4.8/5

Another small plate we shared was the Iberico Pork Pluma ($29), served with salsa verde. The slightly sweet pork immediately reminded us of char siew in the best possible way. The slices were generous and incredibly tender, while the salsa verde helped cut through the richness. Definitely another dish we would order again.

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Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe 5/5

The star of the meal for us was undoubtedly the Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe ($29). Deceptively simple, relying on just a handful of ingredients, Caffe Fernet’s version combines peppercorns, Parmesan and Pecorino with beautifully chewy, al dente mafaldine.

The chef shared that three different types of peppercorns are used, giving the pasta plenty of fragrance and depth. We loved it so much that we actually asked for more pepper for an extra kick, and the chef generously added more Parmesan for us too! It’s also a great pasta to share if you want to save room for more of the smaller plates.

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Tiramisu 4/5

Of course, we couldn’t end an Italian-inspired meal without Tiramisu ($18). This classic dessert came with layers of rich mascarpone cream and ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso. Creamy, boozy and coffee-forward, it was a satisfying way to round off the meal without getting overly complicated.

Singapore Sling and Yuzu Cinnamon Lemonade
Singapore Sling and Yuzu & Cinnamon Lemonade

Peach Boulevardier
Peach Boulevardier

Caffe Fernet clearly puts plenty of thought into its drinks too. We tried three during our meal: the Singapore Sling ($23), Peach Boulevardier ($25) and a non-alcoholic Yuzu & Cinnamon Lemonade ($18). With the restaurant’s waterfront location and Marina Bay Sands right across the river, it’s easy to imagine coming here even just for drinks, especially as the evening sets in.

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Come for the view but definitely stay for the food. Caffe Fernet has one of those locations that immediately sets the mood, right in the CBD, overlooking the Singapore River with Marina Bay Sands in full view. The open-concept setting can get rather windy (and yes, a little humid because this is Singapore!), but we loved the relaxed atmosphere.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Caffe Fernet
Customs House
70 Collyer Quay
#01-05
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 91781105
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across Clifford Centre and walk to Collyer Quay Road. Cross the road via the OUE Link. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]