Waterfall Ristorante Italiano @ Shangri-La Singapore - A Taste of Puglian Tradition by Mamma Ria

This May, have a taste of authentic Puglian flavours at Waterfall Ristorante Italiano, located within Shangri-La Singapore. Brought to you by Mrs Maria Matera, affectionately known as Mamma Ria, the heart of the Carbotti family and mother of Restaurant Manager Andreano Carbotti, this special showcase runs till 17 May.

Delve into Puglian traditions as you witness Mamma Ria handcraft fresh pastas such as Orecchiette and Cavatelli using family recipes passed down through generations, which is a familiar scene in the Carbotti household. Joining her is Michelangelo Carbotti, Andreano’s father and a distinguished sommelier with a master’s diploma, who brings over a decade of expertise in curating wine pairings to complete the Puglian dining experience.

Focaccia Mortadella E Provola 4/5

We had the pleasure of trying Mamma Ria’s Specials Menu. To start, we had the Focaccia Mortadella E Provola ($22), featuring the restaurant’s signature housemade focaccia layered with Mortadella ham and Provola cheese. What stood out was the focaccia’s lightly crisp exterior, contrasting with its soft, fluffy interior, which paired beautifully with the savoury folds of Mortadella. I only wish there were a little more provolone cheese for a heartier bite.

Sagne alla Briciola 4/5

Next came the three pastas lovingly handcrafted by Mamma Ria. The Sagne alla Briciola ($28) features handmade sagne pasta coated in a moreish savoury sauce of anchovies, garlic, chilli, and parsley, finished with toasted breadcrumbs. The spiral-shaped pasta delivered a delightful springy bite while catching every bit of the garlicky sauce. It was my first experience trying sagne pasta, and it certainly left a strong impression.

Orecchiette Salsiccia E Zafferano 4.8/5

My favourite of the evening was the Orecchiette Salsiccia E Zafferano ($32). Store-bought dried orecchiette often falls flat in both flavour and texture, but this completely changed my perception of the pasta. The handmade orecchiette had an incredible chew and texture that dried versions simply cannot replicate. It instantly reminded me of how homemade Mee Hoon Kueh always tastes best. Mamma Ria’s orecchiette held the sauce beautifully, with its deep pockets capturing the rich, meaty blend of pork sausage, Pecorino cheese, crispy bacon, and saffron.

Cavatelli Cozze E Fagioli 4/5

The Cavatelli Cozze E Fagioli ($38), handmade instead by Michelangelo Carbotti, featured cavatelli tossed in a lightly creamy sauce of cannellini beans, garlic, and pepper, brightened by the sweetness of fresh mussels and cherry tomatoes.

It is truly a rare opportunity to try pastas handmade by both parents of the restaurant’s very own manager, rooted in Puglian heritage. Mamma Ria’s Specials Menu offers an authentic taste of Puglian tradition. If you enjoy authentic Italian cooking with a personal touch, this limited-time experience at Waterfall Ristorante Italiano is worth checking out before 17 May.

A La Carte Menu Specials
Friday, 8 May - Sunday, 17 May 2026
Lunch 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Dinner 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Except Sunday Brunch Buffet

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Level One, Garden Wing
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134398
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards the Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 23 minutes. [Map]

Bouillon Gavroche @ Mandarin Gallery - Asia’s First Traditional Parisian Bouillon

Bringing a slice of 19th-century Paris to the heart of Orchard Road, Bouillon Gavroche at Mandarin Gallery introduces Singapore to the timeless charm of the traditional French bouillon. As Asia’s first of its kind, the concept revives a historic dining culture that predates the brasserie and bistro, where hearty, honest French fare is served all day in a lively, convivial setting.

Unlike its more refined sibling, Brasserie Gavroche, this new concept embraces accessibility — both in pricing and atmosphere — offering a menu of comforting French classics designed for everyday dining. With starters from $6, mains from $16, and desserts from $6, it is a refreshing addition to the local dining scene, where quality French cuisine is often associated with heftier price tags.

Camembert Pané 4/5

The Camembert Pané ($14) is a quintessential French comfort starter. Encased in a golden, crisp breadcrumb crust, the thick wheel of Camembert reveals a luscious molten centre upon cutting. The richness of the cheese is thoughtfully balanced by a side of fresh greens, whose light acidity cuts through the indulgence. It is simple yet deeply satisfying.

Oeufs Mimosa 4/5

A staple across Parisian bouillons, the Oeufs Mimosa ($6) celebrates the beauty of simplicity. Hard-boiled eggs are halved and filled with a creamy yolk mixture bound with mayonnaise and lightly seasoned with herbs. Unpretentious and nostalgic, the dish reflects the restaurant’s ethos, humble ingredients, executed with care.

Rillettes de Saumon 4.2/5

The Rillettes de Saumon ($12) offers a delightful interplay of textures and flavours. Combining both poached and smoked salmon, the spread achieves a balance between delicate freshness and savoury depth. Lightly bound with crème fraîche and lifted with a hint of lemon zest, it remains refreshing on the palate. Paired with toasted bread, it makes for an easy yet refined starter.

Salade d’Endives 3.5/5

The Salade d’Endives ($12) is a vibrant composition of contrasting flavours and textures. Crisp endive leaves bring a gentle bitterness, complemented by the creamy saltiness of Roquefort, the crunch of toasted walnuts, and the sweetness of fresh apple slices. While refreshing, its assertive flavour profile may not appeal to all, but it serves well as a palate cleanser amid richer dishes.

Ravioles de Royan aux Épinards 4/5

The Ravioles de Royan aux Épinards ($16) showcases a regional French speciality from the Dauphiné. These delicate, bite-sized pasta parcels feature thin, silky skins that almost dissolve in the mouth, encasing a creamy cheese filling. Served atop a bed of sautéed spinach, the dish achieves a lovely balance between richness and earthy freshness.

Beef Bourguignon, Coquillettes 4.2/5

A highlight on the menu, the Beef Bourguignon, Coquillettes ($26) delivers deep, comforting flavours. The beef is braised until fork-tender in a rich red wine reduction, imbued with the sweetness of slow-cooked vegetables. Instead of the usual potatoes, it is paired with coquillettes, small elbow pasta that soaks up the robust sauce beautifully. Nostalgic and hearty, it captures the soul of traditional French home cooking.

Parmentier de Canard 4/5

The Parmentier de Canard ($22) is a rustic, comforting dish akin to a French-style shepherd’s pie. Beneath a blanket of smooth, buttery mashed potatoes lies shredded duck confit, rich and deeply flavourful. Baked to a light golden finish, it is a hearty, no-frills dish that embodies the essence of French “cuisine bourgeoise” — honest, filling, and immensely satisfying.

Profiterole 4.5/5

The Profiterole ($10) is a standout dessert. The airy choux pastry, lightly crisp on the outside, encases a swirl of vanilla soft serve. What elevates the dish is the warm, luscious chocolate sauce poured generously over the top, creating a delightful contrast of hot and cold while slowly melting the ice cream into a creamy pool.

Tarte Fine aux Pommes 4.2/5

The Tarte Fine aux Pommes ($8) is a study in restraint and precision. A thin sheet of puff pastry forms the base, baked until crisp and buttery, topped with delicately sliced apples arranged in a neat pattern. Lightly caramelised at the edges, the apples retain their natural tartness, allowing the fruit to shine without excessive sweetness.

Mousse au Chocolat 4.2/5

Ending on a classic note, the Mousse au Chocolat ($8) delivers a rich yet airy indulgence. Smooth and velvety with a slight density, it strikes a fine balance between lightness and depth, offering a satisfying chocolate finish without being overly heavy.

Bouillon Gavroche successfully captures the spirit of Parisian bouillon dining — approachable, comforting, and steeped in tradition. The menu focuses on familiar French classics executed with finesse, while the pricing makes it accessible for casual, repeat visits. In a dining landscape where French cuisine often leans towards the formal and extravagant, Bouillon Gavroche stands out with its relaxed charm and honest cooking. In this place, one can simply drop in, enjoy a hearty meal, and return time and again.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bouillon Gavroche
Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
#01-16/17
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 8522 0998
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Lucine by LUNA @ Somerset - New Halal Certified Savoury Menu with Over 30 Options Under $20

Starting 28 April, Lucine by LUNA at Somerset will launch its brand-new savoury menu, featuring more than 30 items, all priced under $20.

The cafe, newly Halal-certified and located at 111 Somerset, is best known for its intricate petit cakes from homegrown patisserie LUNA.

Korean Spicy Marinated Egg with Scrambled Eggs Toast 3/5

The viral Korean marinated egg, also known as Mayak ("drug") eggs, inspired Lucine's Korean Spicy Marinated Egg with Scrambled Eggs Toast ($14.90). Served on toasted brioche, it is topped with creamy scrambled eggs and a savoury-sweet marinated egg with a jammy centre. We would have preferred a thicker brioche for better texture and a stronger marination on the egg.

Crispy Breaded Chicken 2.8/5

Next was the Crispy Breaded Chicken ($16.90), featuring boneless chicken thigh coated in a house-made breadcrumb crust.

Superb Dry Laksa 3.5/5

Lucine's expanded menu also introduces a wider selection of pasta dishes. The Superb Dry Laksa ($16.90) is one of the new additions, with pasta tossed in a house-made rempah and paired with prawns, fishcake and taupok. While the pasta could have had a better bite, we enjoyed the bold, flavourful rempah with a pleasant heat.

Tofu 4.2/5

The gorgeous petit cakes remain the highlight, and we were spoilt for choice. Our first pick was the crowd favourite, Tofu ($8.50), featuring a unique combination of silken tofu cream, hazelnut ganache, and buckwheat-infused crème anglaise mousse, all atop a crisp sablée base. It was delightfully light and well-balanced.

LUNA 2.0 Petite 4.2/5

For chocolate lovers, the LUNA 2.0 Petite ($9) is a must-try. Dig into the Valrhona Guanaja 70% chocolate mousse layered with hazelnut sponge, and you'll uncover a crunchy centre of crushed hazelnuts, salted caramel, hazelnut dacquoise and dark chocolate-coated feuilletine.

Photos and words by Jo. A lady 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.


Lucine by LUNA
111 Somerset Road
#01-06
Singapore 238164
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 930am - 630pm
Fri-Sat: 930am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

LUCE @ Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel - Season of Abundance Buffet For This Lunar New Year, Where Italian Conviviality Meets Festive Asian Traditions

This Lunar New Year, LUCE invites diners to gather around a table defined by abundance, craftsmanship and festive cheer. For its Season of Abundance buffet, the Italian restaurant blends the warmth of Italian conviviality with familiar Lunar New Year flavours, resulting in a spread that feels celebratory yet comforting, with plenty to explore across Western and Asian offerings.

DIY Yu Sheng Station

No Lunar New Year meal feels complete without Yu Sheng, and LUCE’s D.I.Y Yu Sheng station sets the tone nicely. What I really appreciated was the option to make smaller portions, so you can enjoy the ritual without sacrificing precious stomach space for the rest of the buffet. Even better, you’re free to add as many fish as you like, which is always a win in my books.

Seafood and Sashimi Station

The Seafood and Sashimi spread is a clear highlight, featuring Japanese oysters, mini abalone, jade salmon and ahi tuna sashimi. Everything looked fresh and inviting, making it dangerously easy to over-serve yourself early in the meal, which is a familiar buffet dilemma.

Salad, Cheese, Cold Cuts

We couldn’t take our eyes off the Salad Bar, where diners can customise their own bowls using the Harvest of the Day selection, featuring fresh greens, generous add-ons, and a wide variety of dressings. The adjacent Artisanal Cheese and Cold Cuts section is equally tempting, showcasing a weekly selection of Italian and French cheeses alongside the chef’s curated imported cold cuts, best enjoyed with freshly baked bread.

Prawn Noodle

Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce

One of the most crowd-pleasing stations is the make-your-own Signature Frasers House Prawn Noodle. Ingredients include tiger prawns, fish cake, bean sprouts, quail eggs and noodles, all finished in a rich prawn broth. If you’re in the mood for pasta, the chef also prepares Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce tossed in a Parmesan wheel. The pasta was perfectly al dente — so good I genuinely wished I had more stomach space for a second portion.

Luce Pizza

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Pasta alla Norma

Pure di Patate al Tartufo

Sicilian Style Branzino

The Italian Hot Dishes are a carb lover’s dream. From LUCE Pizza to Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Pasta alla Norma, Purè di Patate al Tartufo and Sicilian-style Branzino, the selection is generous and varied. Sadly, I could only manage small bites of each, but most dishes were well executed and satisfying, making it hard to pick favourites.

Salted Egg Pizza

Another standout is the buffet-exclusive Salted Egg Pizza, specially created for this Lunar New Year spread. Topped with roasted chicken and melted mozzarella, the pizza strikes a surprisingly balanced flavour profile that is lightly sweet, savoury and rich without being overwhelming. The salted egg sauce adds a creamy depth, while the fragrant curry leaves lift the whole dish, giving it an unmistakable Southeast Asian twist. It’s indulgent yet approachable, and easily one of those slices you go back for “just one more” even when you’re already full.

Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle

Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye

At the Carving station, the Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle stood out with its irresistibly crispy skin. At the same time, the Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye was juicy and tender - exactly what you’d hope for from a carving station at a festive buffet.

Netted Seafood Springroll

Nonya Chicken Curry

Five-spice Slow-braised Pork Trotter

XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce

Lotus-leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice

The Asian Delights section brings a comforting familiarity to the spread, featuring Netted Seafood Spring Rolls, Nonya Chicken Curry, Five-Spice Slow-Braised Pork Trotter, and Lotus-Leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice. A dish that stood out quietly was the XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce, served with broccoli and mushrooms - a well-balanced Cantonese-style dish where the prawns were sweet and plump and the XO scallop sauce added a savoury depth without overpowering the vegetables.

We were told these dishes are prepared by the team from Man Fu Yuan, the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, and it shows. Some dishes tasted reassuringly homely, while others surprised us with flavour profiles that were pleasantly unexpected in a good way.

Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake

LUCE-misu

Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake

Earl Grey Lavender Cake

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Auspicious Golden Ingot Nian Gao

Gelato Selections

The Desserts section is fully dressed in Lunar New Year colours and symbolism. Highlights include the Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake, LUCE-misu, Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake and Earl Grey Lavender Cake. The Gelato selection is also worth saving space for; my personal favourites were the Mango and Matcha.

Overall, LUCE’s Season of Abundance buffet strikes a nice balance between festive indulgence and variety. Whether you’re drawn to Italian classics, comforting Asian dishes or seafood and desserts, there’s something here for every diner, making it a solid option for Lunar New Year gatherings with family and friends.

Buffet Dates & Prices

Pre-Lunar New Year | 1–15 February
Lunch from $59++ per adult
Dinner from $85++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Lunar New Year Eve, Day 1 & Day 2 | 16–18 February
Lunch from $75++ per adult
Dinner from $95++ per adult

Lunar New Year | 19 February–3 March
Lunch from $69++ per adult
Dinner from $78++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Enjoy preferential dining privileges with ‘LUCE30’ on weekdays and ‘LUCE25’ on weekends. Blackout dates apply: 14, 16, 17 and 18 February 2026.

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


LUCE
Fraser House, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]