Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria @ Binjai Park (Bukit Timah)

Capri Trattoria at Binjai Park which opened in 2011, was taken over by the current owner Milan-born Fabrizio Anzolin in Feb 2014 and together with Executive Chef Domenico Truglia gave the restaurant a complete menu revamp. To share the passion of their food heritage with their customers, the dual recently launched a new Monthly Regional Specials Menu from April 2015, featuring three distinct dishes and new creations from different provinces in Italy.

Tagliere Casereccio 4.5/5

Dining like an Italian, we started with some antipasti, the Tagliere Casereccio ($28). This is a selection from Calabria, Southern Italy which comes with a platter of home-cured cold cuts such as pancetta (pork belly), capocollo (pork neck) and bresaola (air-dried beef) served atop a bed of rocket salad and accompanied by cheese, olives, cured chillies and sundried tomatoes, finished with a light drizzle of olive oil.

Gamberi e cappesante alle erbe 4.2/5

The other antipasti on the menu that seafood lovers will rejoice is the Camberi e cappesante alle erbe ($20). The beautiful plate from the ocean comes with prawns and scallops seasoned in a Mediterranean herbs are pan-seared in olive oil and served on a bed of mesclun, sundried tomatoes and olives.

Pasta riccia all'nduja 4/5

Accordingly to the owner, the Southern Italians like fiery-style dishes as compared to their northern counterparts. I was quite surprised. All this while, I only thought Italian is about tomatoes and olive. I never knew they like spicy food too. In fact, the used of fiery chillies is not uncommon both in preparation and curing process in the southern part of Italy. Pasta riccia all'nduja ($25) is one such dish on the menu that uniquely showcases the spicy side of Italian food. The wide and flat handmade pasta is tossed in a housemade nduja. Nduja is a fiery sauce that consists of a fine blend of pork, olive oil, silvers of garlic, ground black pepper, chilli flakes and ricotta. I think this will be a hit with Singaporean as we like spicy food and I have not known as of current any other Italian restaurants I have eaten, offering this unique spicy pasta dish on their menu. By the way, be warned that this is really spicy.

Cannarozzi allo zafferano 4.2/5

If you can't take spicy, then there is the Cannarozzi allo zafferano ($25) which is just as good with its creaminess. The tube-like pasta is sauteed in a saffron sauce with ricotta cheese, topped with smoky bacon, crispy bacon and shavings of parmesan.

Cacciucco alla Livornese 4/5

The traditional Cacciucco alla Livornese ($28) will delight any seafood lovers with a comforting bowl of tomato based sauce brimming with mussels, shelled prawns, squid, clams. crayfish and cod. Slices of home baked bread are served on the side to sop up all the tasty, saucy goodness.

Cotoletta alla Milanese 4/5

A hearty choice is the Cotoletta alla Milanese ($48), a 300g bone-in deep fried breaded veal chop served with roasted potatoes and side of fresh salad. The breadcrumb gives the veal chop a delectable crispy exterior while cooked to a nice moist and tender texture inside.

Torta al limone 4/5

Ending the dinner is the Torta al limone ($10), a warm homemade lemon cake with a a side of cream. Th cake is dense, buttery and infused with a subtle tang of lemon zest.

Dining at Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria is definitely a hearty, warm and cozy affair with delicious food around the different regions of Italy. The monthly regional special menu gives diner a reason to return too. Do also note that complimentary valet parking is available on Friday to Sunday during dinner time too.


Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria
3 Binjai Park
Singapore 589819
Tel: +65 64684886
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapriTrattoriaPizzeria
Website: http://www.trattoriacapri.com/
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge connection to Exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Binjai Park. Turn left onto Binjai Park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.[Map]

Basilico @ Regent Hotel Singapore

The installment of the year long, Viaggio Italiano at Basilico, taking diners through the different cuisine in various regions of Italy comes to its half way mark where the culinary adventure has brought us to centre Italy and islands of Sicily and Sardinia. For the second part of the culinary journey, the crew at Basilico will be taking us on an epicurean journey through the South and North of Italy.

The Basilico's Basilissimo dinner menu compromises of an appetiser and dessert buffet along with an ala carte main course selection. I was actually quite shock or taken back by the eclectic selection of appetisers and desserts. I wonder how can one manage to even continue to the mains after going one round of them.

Appetisers 4.5/5

My journey to Italy started with some appetisers. If not that I am saving my stomach for the ala carte mains to complete my tour to Italian, I would have gone back for another two more rounds.

Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa 3.5/5

Moving on to the ala carte mains, we started with Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa which is a trio of Sea Urchin, Pasta and Grilled Tiger Prawn. There was miss and hit here. The sauteed prawn with sea urchin served in a sea urchin shell looks fancy but I felt it did not do justification to the beautiful ingredient. The hit here is the wild broccoletti with tiger prawns, fresh, crunchy and a hint of charred aroma.

Risotto Milanese Con Ossobuco 4.2/5

The Risotto Milanese Con Ossobuco which comes with a trio of Bone Marrow Gratin, Classic Milanese Style Saffron Risotto and Braised Beef Dhank Ossobuco with Gremolada Oil. The highlight on the plate definitely has to be Saffron Risotto. Packed with a beautiful flavours and comes with a nice al dente bite, this is one of the best risotto I have eaten.

Baccala' alla Vicentina 3.8/5

From the sea, we had the Baccala' alla Vicentina which is Dry Salted Cod Fillet Vicentina Style, stewed with garlic, onion and cream with soft herbs polenta and roasted baby beet and turnip. This is an ancient method of preservation which we took a while to get used to it. Given a choice I would still prefer the fresh cod fish that tasted more fatty and buttery.

Braciole al Sugo alla Barese con Purea Di Fave 4/5

Lastly for the main, Braciole al Sugo alla Barese con Purea Di Fave comes to almost the end of the Italian tour. The 12 Hours Slow Braised Wagyu Beef Sirloin Roll is stuffed with pecoriono pugliese cheese in tomato and primitivo wine sauce, served with dry fava beans puree and heirloom carrots.

Baba' Al Limoncello and Bonet 4.2/5

The tour de Italy comes to an end with the Baba' Al Limoncello and Bonet. These beautiful desserts are the perfect ending to a wonderful trip to Italy.

The Viaggio Italiano at Basilico is priced at $88 per pax. From 01 July to 30 September 2015, Executive Sous Chef Angelo Ciccone reminisces the bold and fresh flavours of Southern Italy cuisine. The last leg of the Italian voyage, Chef Ciccone presents the gastronomy and unique traits of Northern Italy from 01 October to 31 December 2015.


Basilico
Regent Hotel Singapore
Level 2
1 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 67253232
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regentsingapore
Website: http://www.regenthotels.com/EN/Singapore/Cuisine/Basilico
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast:
Mon-Sat: 630am - 1030am
Sun: 7am - 1030am
Lunch:
Mon-Sat: 12 - 230pm
Sun: 12 - 3pm
Dinner:
Daily: 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. Continue walking down Tanglin Road. Turn left onto Tomlinson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]