Acqua e Farina @ The Rail Mall - Authentic And Hearty Italian Fare In Homely Italian Family Restaurant

Along the stretch of dining options at The Rail Mall is a cosy little Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina. It is helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who are natives from Southern and Northern Italy respectively. They bring together a full menu of authentic Italian cuisine for diners to enjoy.

As the restaurant's name suggests, Acqua e Farina, which is Italian for water and flour, reflects the Chefs' goal of showcasing their Italian fare using simple traditional recipes and top-quality ingredients.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. I have passed by this restaurant several times but always assumed it has a more formal setting. What I loved most about our dining experience here was how warm and cosy it was! Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an Italian friend's home.

Drinks

We went with a glass of Limoncello Prosecco ($13) and a Blood Orange San Pellegrino ($4) for drinks. If you are a fan of wines, the restaurant features an entire wall of wines you can pick from. The Chefs also offer recommendations based on preferences.

Capesante con Funghi 4.2/5

First up was the Capesante con Funghi ($28), with pan-fried Hokkaido scallop dressed in a creamy and richly earthy mushroom sauce paired with baby spinach and croutons. We had the tasting portion here, while the full portion includes three scallops.

Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci 4/5

Our next starter was the Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci ($27), which has pan-fried shrimp wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed spinach. My dining companion and I found the prawn a touch drier than we would like, but we appreciated the balance of flavours. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty.

Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio 4.5/5

Our first main was the Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($34), homemade squid ink pasta with crabmeat tossed in tomato sauce. The pasta is made fresh daily, and diners can also request for gluten-free spaghetti. I don't often choose my pasta with a tomato base, but I would come back for Acqua e Farina's rendition.

Their tomato base has a touch of cream and hence is not as acidic as usual. The slight creaminess complemented the chunks of sweet crabmeat.

Pizza Quattro Formaggi 4.5/5

The Pizza Quattro Formaggi ($34) is one of the restaurant's only two pizzas with a white cheese base. The other nine pizzas on the menu use a red tomato base.

If you are a cheese fan, I am sure you will enjoy this. It uses four types of cheese - Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (Blue Cheese), Smoked Scamorza and Asiago. Chef told us this is one of the top two popular pizzas here. It's not difficult to understand with its generous topping of cheese and a whiff of truffle fragrance on a crisp and slightly chewy base.

Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante 4.2/5

Acqua e Farina regularly launches special menus which keep things fresh and fun, especially for their regular diners. It was coincidentally Mother's Day weekend when we were here, and we had the pleasure to try one of the dishes on their Mother's Day Special menu, the Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante ($38). The linguine tossed with cured fish roe, garlic, chilli, and herbs was appetising, and we polished this off quickly.

Dessert Platter 4/5

The Dessert Platter ($19) is the easiest way to try an assortment of their dessert offerings. Each platter comprises mini portions of Crème Brûlée, Lava Cake, Panna Cotta and Tiramisù.

The highlights for us were the Lava Cake and Crème Brûlée. The former had the perfect cook and was not too sweet. We wished the caramelised layer on the Crème Brûlée could be thinner, but we enjoyed the smooth and fragrant custard.

Overall, our dinner at Acqua e Farina was a fantastic experience put together by the quality food and servers who go the extra mile to provide a comfortable environment for diners.

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.


Acqua e Farina
The Rail Mll
400 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 678050
Tel: +65 69708191
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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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]

Pizzakaya @ Vivocity - New Pizza Concept Restaurant by Japan Food Holding Group

Located within Vivovity, Pizzakaya specialises in Western-Japanese fusion dishes, focusing on pizzas. The menu features multiple 10" hand-stretched Japanese-style pizza variations with different toppings piled atop, such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. The unique pizza pairings seemed bizarre in this Western-Japanese fusion attempt, but was it worth the venture?

Takoyaki Pizza 3/5

Among the pizzas that stood out most to us in terms of novelty was the Takoyaki Pizza ($19.80). The pizza crust was decent, churned out from impressive brick ovens in the kitchen. The edges are puffy and lightly blistered, with a chewy thin crust slathered with homemade sauce. What lies atop are multiple soft battered octopus balls. However, eating the pizza itself posed a challenge. The pizza can't be picked up without the Takoyaki balls rolling off the slice. The savouriness and carb-on-carb combination also felt one-dimensional in taste and got cloying halfway through.

Chicken Teriyaki Pizza 3/5

We tried the Chicken Teriyaki Pizza ($19.80), another novelty pizza flavour. It came with a mountain of chicken teriyaki strips, omelette and cabbage in the centre. Unfortunately, the sauce used for the okonomiyaki caused the pizza centre to be soggy, turning the consumption into an even messier affair. The teriyaki chicken strips were also dry and not as tender as we would have liked. In short, we felt that the flavour pairing of okonomiyaki and pizza doesn't go well together.

Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti 3.5/5

We also tried other dishes that they offer on the menu. The Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti ($19.80) was a saving grace from the pizzas, with al dente pasta with a subtle kick of spice topped with well-cooked prawns.

Chicken Katsu Curry Rice 3/5

The Chicken Katsu Curry Rice ($16.80) features slices of chicken katsu atop rice, slathered in Japanese curry. While I enjoyed the crispy and tender chicken katsu, the curry lacked taste and felt a tad watered down.

Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda 4/5, Berry Grape Fizz 4/5

Their signature drinks, Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda ($8) and Berry Grape Fizz ($8) were refreshing and delicious. It was good to wash down the intensely savoury pizza we had.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pizzakaya
Vivo City Singapore
1 Harbourtfront Walk
#01-157
Singappore 098585
Tel: +65 62249690
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

SOD Cafe @ Upper Thomson Road - Launches New Night Concept With A Focus On Freshly Made Pasta

Nestled within the Upper Thomson vicinity, SOD Cafe has launched a new night concept focusing on freshly made pasta. There are a total of 7 pasta dishes to choose from, with the bases all made with either linguine or fettuccine. They make their pasta from scratch daily, with portions only limited to 30 per night for now, though they have hoped to increase the daily portions to 50 in the near future!

Taro Milk Tea 4/5, Green Milk Tea 4/5

We started off the meal with their signature bubble tea drinks, such as the Taro Milk Tea and Green Milk Tea with pearls. The drinks were aromatic, creamy and not too sweet, while the black pearls were soft and chewy, providing a great bite to the drinks.

Aglio Olio with Prawns 4.2/5

We opted for their Aglio Olio with Prawns, cooked with fragrant butter garlic and topped with ebiko, and tiger prawns cooked to plump juicy perfection. The addition of ebiko added a nice bite, and the fettuccine pasta was cooked to a nice al dente texture.

Cream Mushroom 4/5

The Cream Mushroom comprises button mushrooms cooked in mixed herbs and cream. It is perfect for pasta lovers who love creamy pasta, and the shrooms' aroma was strong without being too overwhelming. The fettuccine pasta was similarly cooked to a nice al dente texture.

Beef Stew 4.2/5

The Beef Stew comes with tender 8-hour cooked beef shank cubes and cream demi-glaze. The perfectly done fettuccine was smothered in a robust beef gravy, not too heavy yet sufficiently flavourful. Other pasta options are available such as the Spicy Tomato with Wagyu Beef Balls and Salmon Pesto.

Sweet Potato Fries 3.8/5

We also tried their sides, such as the Sweet Potato Fries, which are fluffy and retain a thin layer of crispiness around them.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


SOD Cafe
183 Longhaus
183 Upper Thomson Road
#01-05
Singapore 574332
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Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line), Upper Thomson (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am – 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Marymount Lane and Thomson Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Salt & Palm @ Joo Chiat - Neighbourhood Resto-Bar Serving Modern Flavours Of East Indies

Having won over Sydney, Australia, Salt & Palm has now opened in the colourful neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, bringing its fun new take on the flavours of the East Indies to our shore. Helmed by Executive Chef Natasya Soetantyo, she seeks to change the perception and introduce the diversity of Indonesian cuisine as a whole archipelago through contemporary cooking techniques using traditional spices, recreating the complex flavours and dishes in a modern way.

Fresh Oyster 4/5

We kickstarted our meals with a couple of starters, beginning with the Fresh Oyster ($28 for 3 pc). The freshly shucked Amelie oysters from Marennes-Oleron, France, can be paired with either a choice of lime wedges or tomato tamarind and basil kemangi pandan oil.

Hokkaido Scallop 4/5

Next is the Hokkaido Scallop ($22), lightly torched and paired with tempe chips, fried garlic, chilli peanut lime, sweet soy and lemon basil herbs. The combination gives a glimpse of Chef Natasya's philosophy of incorporating her Indonesian heritage into her cooking.

Fish Cake 4/5

The Balinese-style Fish Cake ($12 for 2pc), made from minced fish and a blend of traditional spices, is topped with chilli lemongrass shallot salsa which enlivens the flavour. The accompanying chicken skin tuille provides that extra textural enjoyment.

Potato Cake 3.5/5

There are also several Vegan dishes on the menu, such as the Potato Cake ($12 for 2pc). The potato cake is topped with vegan mayo and vegan caviar to finish. The combination and flavour are straightforward, which didn't come with any significant surprises.

Prawn Bisque Pasta 4/5

Moving to the mains, we had the Prawn Bisque Pasta ($32), inspired by Palembang Mie Celor, a seafood noodle in coconut broth. The interpretation, which comes with king prawns, south sumatran prawn bisque, onsen egg, beansprouts, tobiko and chives, is bursting with the sweetness of the sea.

Beef Short Ribs 3.8/5

Australian grain-fed beef is used for the Beef Short Ribs ($52). I wish the texture could be more tender, but the rendang sauce is fragranced with kaffir lime leaf, cinnamon, chilli, and candlenut. The flavour is more savoury than sweet, leaning more towards the Indonesian style instead of the sweeter Malaysian style.

Porchetta 4.5/5

The Porchetta ($32) at Salt & Palm is its version of Balinese Babi Guling. The pork belly is marinated in a unique Balinese spice blend but cooked in Italian style. The result is succulent with crispy crackling, paired with chilli lemongrass salsa for a lifted enjoyment. This is one of my favourite dishes for the night.

Mushroom Rendang 4.5/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Mushroom Rendang ($30). The medley of mushrooms and baby potatoes is simmered in a housemade rendang sauce over long hours and topped with toasted coconut flakes for texture contrast.

Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee 2.8/5

We wrapped up our dinner with the Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee ($15) and Pavlova ($18) for dessert. The Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee is egg and dairy free, topped with jackfruit and berries. There was even young coconut filling in the custard. However, I wouldn't say I liked the texture of the creme brulee. It lacked that smooth, creamy texture without the use of egg and dairy.

Pavlova 4.2/5

Compared to the creme brulee, I preferred the Pavlova ($18) for its brighter flavours. The plant-based meringue with plant-based mango and passionfruit cream is further embellished with fresh mango, blueberry, grilled peach and coconut flakes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Salt & Palm
467 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427678
Tel: +65 89399617
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 5pm - 11pm
Fri-Sun: 9am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 16. Alight 4 stops later. Walk down Joo Chiat Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

TEN+ @ Sungei Tengah Rd - Singapore’s First Safari-Themed Bistro Offers Camp-like Dining Experience With Western Eastern Fare

Nestled along Sungei Tengah Road near Choa Chu Kang, Ten+ is Singapore's first safari-themed bistro that simulates what dining in nature feels like — but with a beautiful twist. Other than a menu that encompasses the best of both Western and Eastern cuisines and self-grilled barbecue, Ten+ also offers a variety of booze, such as beers on tap for diners to unwind and enjoy.

Purple Sweet Potato Latte 3.5/5, Smoked Oak Mocha 4/5

We started our brunch with the Purple Sweet Potato Latte ($6) and Smoked Oak Mocha ($6). While the former does not have much of a Sweet Potato taste, we enjoyed the latter for its smoky aroma and distinct bittersweet notes.

Creamy Egg Mayo Croissant 3/5

The Creamy Egg Mayo Croissant ($16) comes with a flaky croissant filled with creamy egg mayo fillings. However, the egg mayo felt too underseasoned and bland, while the croissant needed more fluffiness.

Torched Aburi Prawn Pasta 3.5/5

The Torched Aburi Prawn Pasta ($23) features al dente linguine in prawn bisque, topped with prawns and tobiko. The prawn bisque could be richer in flavours, as it felt a tad watered down.

Flame Grilled Angus Burger 4/5

The Flame Grilled Angus Burger ($23) comes with a tender, juicy US Angus beef patty grilled to a nice medium rare and maple bacon sandwiched between two fluffy buns and a side of crispy curly fries.

Battered Fish Bites 3.8/5

They offer Heineken towers and craft bottled beers for those seeking to chill and unwind over drinks with friends. Pair the booze with their variety of bar bites, including the Battered Fish Bites ($14), which comes in a generous portion of bite-sized crispy fried fish paired perfectly with mayo sauce.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


TEN+
65 Sungei Tengah Road
Singapore 699000
Tel: +65 86568685
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Nearest MRT: Choa Chu Kang (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Choa Chu Kang MRT station (Stop ID 44531). Take bus number 975. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road and turn right towards Sungei Tengah Road. Turn left onto Sungei Tengah Road. Take the left of Sungei Tengah Road at the first fork. Take the right of sungei Tengah Road at the second fork. Walk to destination. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]