TOMA By The River @ The Pier at Robertson - Mod-European Riverside Dining and Drinking

Toma By The River at Robertson Quay offers an all-day dining menu, offering flavours of Europe alongside signature craft cocktails.

Spicy Peach Burrata 5/5

We began with the Spicy Peach Burrata ($32), a delightful dish featuring milky, pillowy burrata paired with the sweetness of peaches, citrusy orange pulp, and earthy beetroot. The flavour profile was perfectly balanced with a drizzle of cayenne honey glaze, providing a spiced contrast, while a handful of crushed pecans added a satisfying crunch and nuttiness.

Pesto & Burrata Pizza 3.8/5

Next, we tried the Pesto & Burrata Pizza ($34), highlighting fresh burrata again, this time atop a flavorful pizza layered with basil pesto, mozzarella, and sharp Parmigiano. The cherry tomatoes' bursting sweetness brought a refreshing contrast that elevated the dish. The pizza dough had a nice bite, though some areas were slightly dry.

Sea Bass Livornese 3.8/5

For the mains, we opted for the Sea Bass Livornese ($38), where the ocean sea bass was served with the chef's signature Livornese sauce and Spicy Citrus Salsa. The tomato, olive, and caper-based sauce offered a lovely mix of fruity sweetness, tang, and saltiness, which paired excellently with the fish. I wish there were more salsa to add more zing to the dish.

Tiramisu 4.5/5

The sweet ending to our meal was Tiramisu ($18), a well-executed version that nailed the balance between ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. The bitterness of the amaretto-soaked ladyfingers perfectly complemented the light, velvety mascarpone cream with just the right amount of sweetness.

Promotions:

• 1-For-1 Draught Beer Pints, Tue-Thur 5pm onwards.
• Free Coffee, available with any A La Carte item purchase from Tue-Fri (1130am - 3pm).
• BYOB Thursdays.
• Lunch Set Only $26++. Only applicable Tue-Fri.
• Happy Hour 1-For-1, Tue-Thur 9pm till late. Only applicable to selected house pour.
• Boozy Brunch (Sat & Sun), 2 hrs of free-flow selected house pour.

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.


TOMA By The River
The Pier at Robertson
80 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-12
Singapore 239013
Tel: +65 6031 1176
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 1130am - 11pm
Fri: 1130am - 12midnight
Sat: 830am - 12midnight
Sun: 830am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction of Clemenceau Ave and River Valley. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Then left onto Merbau Road. Walk straight towards the river. Turn right at the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Acqua e Farina @ Keong Saik Road - Authentic Italian Restaurant at The Rail Mall Opens New Outlet

Acqua e Farina, known for its authentic Italian cuisine since 2016 at The Rail Mall, has now expanded with a new outlet at Keong Saik Road. The restaurant continues to be helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who hail from Southern and Northern Italy respectively, bringing their regional expertise to the table.

We learnt from our last visit to The Rail Mall's branch that the restaurant's name directly translates into Italian for water and flour, reflecting the Chefs' goal of bringing authentic Italian fare using traditional recipes, top-quality ingredients and their own twists. Ingredients are mostly sourced directly from Italy.

As a warm welcome, all diners are treated to complimentary warm bread, which we found delightfully chewy and perfect for dipping into olive oil.

The restaurant's beverage menu is impressive, with various non-alcoholic drinks, spritzes, wines, and housemade cocktails. The attentive servers are always happy to offer their recommendations if needed.

Tegamino con Cipolle, Asparagi e Guanciale 4.5/5

Our meal started with the Tegamino con Cipolle, Asparagi e Guanciale ($32), a savoury mix of braised onions, green asparagus, and pan-fried guanciale. The dish's smokiness, sweet-savoury flavour combination, and contrasting textures made it a hit, especially when paired with the starter bread.

Tortino 4/5

We also tried the Tortino ($32), a tart made with homemade puff pastry dough filled with a rich crayfish sauce, tender crayfish chunks, and porcini mushrooms. While the tart shell wasn’t my favourite, the crustacean sweetness of the sauce was reminiscent of a flavorful lobster bisque.

Montara 4.2/5

Exclusive to the Keong Saik outlet is the Montanara ($34), a twice-cooked pizza that’s first left to rise for 36 hours and deep-fried before being baked. The pizza, topped with tomato sauce, pork sausages, spicy nduja, and creamy stracciatella, had a perfectly crisp edge and was surprisingly light, making it easy to enjoy without feeling too heavy.

Risotto ai Ricci di Mare e Bottarga 4/5

Next, we tried the Risotto ai Ricci di Mare e Bottarga ($36), a luxurious risotto dish enhanced with briny sea urchin and freshly grated salt-cured bottarga. The dish was creamy without the use of cream, relying on the slow-simmered stock for its richness.

Tagliatelle al Cacao con Gamberetti e Nduja 4/5

We also enjoyed the Tagliatelle al Cacao con Gamberetti e Nduja ($36), a unique handmade cocoa pasta tossed in spicy nduja salami paste, complemented by portobello mushrooms and shrimp. Mixing in the cocoa powder provided a subtle sweetness that balanced the spicy nduja.

Paccheri alla Norma 4.2/5

For a vegetarian option, we sampled the Paccheri alla Norma ($34), a tube-shaped pasta tossed in a fresh tomato sauce with eggplant and topped with grated ricotta. Based on Chef's family recipe, this dish was a pleasant surprise with its bright and simple flavour.

Acqua e Farina’s Dessert Platter 4/5

To end our meal, we opted for the Dessert Platter ($20), which offered bite-sized portions of Acqua e Farina’s best desserts: Panna Cotta, Tiramisu, Crème Brûlée, and Lava Cake. The Lava Cake stood out for its rich, oozing chocolate centre.

Nutella Donuts 4.2/5

We were also treated to off-the-menu Nutella Donuts, which were fluffy, chewy, and definitely worth making a permanent fixture on the menu.

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
35A Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 9105 2377
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park MRT (EW, TE, NE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5.30pm - 10.30pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight towards Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Siak Road. Walk down Keong Siak Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road to Teck Lim Road. Turn right onto Teck Lim Road. Walk down Teck Lim Road to Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]

Akira Back @ JW Marriott Singapore South Beach - Akira Back Brunch Club: A Newly Introduced Social Affair of Flowing Brunch on Saturdays

Akira Back at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has introduced its very own Akira Back Brunch Club, reimagining the traditional Sunday brunch experience and offering it exclusively on Saturdays. The menu reflects Chef Akira Back's heritage, blending modern Japanese cuisine with a Korean flair.

Tuna & Mushroom Pizza 3/5

Wagyu Taco 3/5

Starters are all about the crunch. We began with Tuna & Mushroom Pizza and Wagyu Taco, both featuring a crunch element — a crisp and thin pizza base and a crunchy taco, respectively. The pizza was elegant, topped with paper-thin slices of tuna and mushrooms over the equally thin base, although I found the truffle aroma to be a tad overpowering. The wagyu taco whetted our appetites with its unctuous mouthfeel.

Japanese Oysters 4.5/5

Next, we enjoyed Fresh Harvest, showcasing Japanese Oysters accompanied by various condiments. I highly recommend trying the fresh oyster with yuzu, which lent an extra zing to the oceany taste.

Sashimi and Nigiri 4/5

Following this was free-flow Sashimi and Nigiri, laid out in a stunning presentation that was a feast for the eyes. The selection included Salmon, Akami, Spanish Mackerel, Seabream, and two types of Maki Rolls. I was pleasantly surprised by how flavourful the Akami was, given that it is a lean meat. The Red Dragon maki and Spicy Garden maki spiced up the course with spice and heat, with the latter reminiscent of gimbap sans the sesame seaweed.

Mung Bean Pancake with AB Kimchi Salad.3.5/5

From the Korean Heritage section, we had a Mung Bean Pancake with AB Kimchi Salad. Including such a traditional dish was delightful, as I rarely experienced such a homely dish. However, I wonder if it could be less greasy. The accompanying salad was a star on its own — fresh and crisp, aromatic with sesame oil and kimchi sauce.

Kanpachi Kama 4/5

The Hot Collection is also free-flowing and was a highlight of the menu. The Kanpachi Kama was perfectly grilled, retaining its moisture and tender flesh. The accompanying yuzu puree accentuated its naturally sweet flavour.

Beef Toban 4.8/5

The Beef Toban came sizzling hot, and the aroma of the caramelising sauce was simply divine. The sauce was umami with a bit of tang, sweetened with caramelised onions. The mushrooms and beef dressed in the sauce delivered the utmost satisfaction.

Rock Shrimp Tempura 4.8/5

Rock Shrimp Tempura was a bowl of battered rock shrimp chunks topped with a slightly sweet, creamy, tangy sauce. The batter wasn't exactly tempura-style, but it was thin and delectable, with a chewy texture that gave a textural contrast to the firm and slightly crunchy texture of the rock shrimp.

Dessert 4/5

Dessert was an artful experience featuring the AB Cigar, Glossy Apple-Y, and aromatic Hojicha Ice Cream.

Akira Back Brunch Club is available every Saturday, from 12pm at $98.00++ per person.

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.


Akira Back
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 Beach Road
Level B1M
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 68181914
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction: 1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Casa Vostra @ Raffles City - Popular Homegrown Takeaway and Delivery Brand Opens a Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant

Conceptualised as a takeaway and delivery concept by Chef Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega, Casa Vostra has transitioned into a full-service restaurant at Raffles City. The menu now features a wholesome range of home-style Italian fare, extending beyond Casa Vostra's Newpolitan® and Doublecrunch® pizzas, including house-made pasta, house-cured charcuterie, and other Italian classics. Every item on the menu is made from scratch using carefully sourced and directly imported ingredients, free from preservatives and artificial additives.

Frittatina 3/5

We started with a couple of antipasti, beginning with the Frittatina ($8), a Napoli street snack. It is a deep-fried ball of pasta typically moulded with eggs, salami, and cheese. Casa Vostra's version is available in Carbonara or Lasagna flavours. The latter had a moreish crusty exterior that broke into oozing and creamy layers of flavorful minced beef and house-made lasagna sheets.

Bresaola 4/5

Bresaola ($14) is a classic dish featuring beautiful slices of home-aged beef served with rocket and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Chef Antonio's trademark Newpolitan® Pizza is made using a mix of selected Italian white and brown flours, fermented through different stages and temperatures for 36 hours. Baked in a wood-fired oven at 460°C, Casa Vostra's Newpolitan® features charred, bubbling crusts that are softer and floppier than most pizzas. Categorised into Red and White Sauce, we tried the Gamberi ($28) and 4 Formaggi ($22), respectively.

Gamberi 3.8/5

Gamberi was delectable with San Marzano DOP, topped with chunky Argentinian prawns flavoured with a sweet umami tomato and prawn reduction, finished off with lemon zest for a lift. The crust was amazingly fluffy and soft, with an almost melt-in-your-mouth centre. However, I found the crust lacking in flavours, especially the tang of a well-fermented dough.

4 Formaggi 3/5

4 Formaggi was rich and assertive with Fior di Latte, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Its taste could benefit from a dough with a more developed flavour profile.

Mortadella 3.5/5

Doublecrunch® Pizza draws inspiration from the traditional street food Pala Romana, featuring Italian ingredients sandwiched between airy and crispy pizza pastry. Mortadella ($22) had a very enjoyable texture, given by the combination of the airy and crispy pizza pastry contrasted with meaty and saltish mortadella (an Italian luncheon meat). It was complemented by milky burrata, bits of crunchy pistachio, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Crab Tagliatelle 4/5

Housemade pasta is also a key offering; each portion is made fresh and available in various traditional shapes and forms to carry different sauces and ingredients. The Crab Tagliatelle ($26) was delicious. Its al dente tagliatelle was generously coated with garlic-infused olive oil, tossed with meaty jumbo crab meat lumps, and accentuated with bursts of tangy sweetness from tomato confit.

Agnolotti del Plin 3/5

Agnolotti del Plin ($23) is a stuffed fresh pasta dish that tastes pretty rustic. It has a much thicker-than-expected pasta dough stuffed with pork stew, served in a chicken jus and butter sauce.

Tiramisu 2.8/5

Panna Cotta 3/5

The desserts were all right. The Panna Cotta ($8) satisfied with a wobbly and creamy custard, while the Tiramisú ($10) was a tad too sweet for my liking.

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.


Casa Vostra
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#01-49/50/51
Singapore 179103
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Operating Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]

Paradise Pizza & Elixir Coffee and Wine @ Holland Grove - Indulge in New Lineup of Artisanal Sourdough Pizzas, Pastas and Sides

The introduction of Paradise Pizza was inspired by the popularity of the pasta and pizzas previously served by Elixir Coffee and Wine.

Both brands are still housed under one roof in Holland Grove, allowing you to enjoy quality coffee and wines alongside a refreshed menu of sourdough pizzas, pasta and sides, all inspired by comfort foods from around the world.

Beverages

We opted for a refreshing Yuzu Cooler ($6) and the chocolatey Marou Single Origin Chocolate ($7) for our beverages. For coffee enthusiasts, don't miss their brews made with beans from the award-winning Blacklist Coffee in Perth.

Deep Fried Burrata 4/5

The Deep Fried Burrata ($24) immediately caught our eye from the list of starters. This hearty dish features a thin-crusted fried burrata ball served with pomodoro, arugula rocket, and balsamic caviar. The plate offered a well-balanced blend of savoury and sweet, with the balsamic caviar adding pops of sweet and fruity notes.

Mentaiko Lemon Butter 4.2/5

The Mentaiko Lemon Butter ($22) pasta was a delightful surprise. The mafaldine’s curly edges excellently picked up the bright sauce, which, though initially more sour than expected, became increasingly enjoyable. The generous addition of tobiko provided extra bursts of salty notes and crunch.

Jap A Dog 4.5/5

Paradise Pizza created Jap A Dog ($26), inspired by the popular hot dog chain in Canada. The combination of Arabiki sausage, furikake, kewpie mayo and bonito flakes was harmonious and reminiscent of an okonomiyaki. Make sure to dig into the pizza while it's hot to appreciate the chewy, freshly made sourdough base fully! There are currently 7 other pizza flavours to check out, including interesting options like Hot Assam and Black Truffle, as well as classics such as Pepperoni and Margherita.

Darn Good Tiramisu 4/5

We completed our meal with the Darn Good Tiramisu ($14), crafted with mascarpone and Blacklist’s espresso, following the same recipe as the restaurant’s sister brand, Fat Belly. While I found it slightly too creamy for my liking, the flavours were spot on, making it a satisfying end to our meal.

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.


Paradise Pizza & Elixir Coffee and Wine
Parksuites
24 Holland Grove Road
#01-18
Singapore 278803
Tel: +65 6908 5547
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Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC, EW Line), Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon-Tue)

Direction:
Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to bus stop at Buona Vista MRT station (Stop ID 11361) along Buona Vista Road. Take bus number 92. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road and walk to Holland Grove Road. Walk down Holland Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Holland Road (Stop ID 11261). Take bus number 7, 61, 75, or 165. Alight 3 stop later. Walk straight down Holland Road to Holland Grove Road. Turn left onto Holand Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]