Pastaria Abate @ Craig Road - No Frill Italian Restaurant with Handmade Pasta

If you are like me visiting Pastaria Abate at Craig Road for the first time, you would think that it is a full service restaurant. Apart from the beautiful decor of the restaurant, that make you feel that you are in Italy, this place is actually no frill. You have to order from the cashier, collect your own food, utensils and even serve your own drink. I am not complaining as long as the food is good and reasonable priced.

Fettucine Pasta Italian Meatballs 3.8/5

Pastaria Abate is known for its homemade pasta. They made 4 different types of pastas - Tagliatelle, Fettucine, Tagliarini and Pappardelle. Ordering here is pretty simple, choose the type of pasta and follow by the sauce. I decided to go for the Fettucine with Italian Meatballs ($12.80). It comes with 2 huge handformed meatballs that is soft and tender. The meatballs are first pan seared and then stewed. While I love the meatballs and the sauce, I felt that pasta was a bit too soft, kind of overcooked.

Spaghetti Italian Sausages 4/5

Not all the pasta at Pastaria Abate is homemade, such as the Spaghetti Italian Sausages ($12.80). It comes with hom homemade skinless Italian sausages in Marinara sauce. The kitchen has got the timing right for the spaghetti, it has a nice bite to it.  While the skinless italian sausages are lovely, I thought it is a bit little.

Besides the pasta, you can also find other appetisers, mains and desserts on the menu. I didn't try them but I think they are quite reasonable priced. Most of the appetisers are reasonable priced around $8.80 while the mains range between $12.80 and $15.80.

While the pasta dishes here are good, do not expect top notch service here. Even the plate used are those canteen, metal type. Its basically a no frill Italian restaurant.


Pastaria Abate
43 Craig Road
Singapore 089681
Tel: +65 69090672
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1130pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Continue on Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Element @ Amara Hotel - Blue Tuna Night

When buffets may at times seem unexciting after a while, Element at Amara Singapore set to ignite that anticipation with occasional one-day specials. For regulars who follow closely on Element's news and promotion, they were in for a treat on 20 April 2018 evening, when the Bluefin Tuna Night took place. Diners got to witness the live carving of a 56kg bluefin tuna imported from Okinawa, and enjoy unlimited portions throughout the evening.

For those who prefer to savour this delicacy with sake and taste the beauty of the various parts of the pirzed fish, Bluefin Tuna Kaiseki Set was available with a choice of a glass of sake, beer or wine at SGD68++ per set. The set started off with Mosaic of Freshly Smoked Bluefin Tuna with Caviar. The blanket of smokiness that wraps around the meat adds a very intriguing dimension to the taste and the umami packed caviar gives a balance to the fatty nature of the meat.

The Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio that followed was again tender and delicate, with Japanese Shoyu dressing giving an edge to the flavour as it melts in my mouth.

How the tuna is being presented in various forms amazes me. As the nature of the meat is pretty rich, I appreciate how the chef used the different dressing and sauces to balance and complement it. In the case of Bluefin Tuna with 63 Degrees Poached Egg, given all that creamy and yolky goodness, it could have been rather overwhelming if not for the spicy Jon Jing Zhang Sauce marinating the tuna.

And of course, Bluefin Tuna Sashimi and Sushi will be the simplest yet essential way to appreciate a good piece of fish. The fish was so fresh, even the sweetness of the sushi rice exuded out in every bite.

Rounding up the Kaiseki meal is a soul comforting Bluefin Tuna Belly Soup with Leek and Tofu. The soup was extremely light yet flavourful and the humble looking tuna belly cubes are nothing less satisfying than a beautifully marbled meat that melts readily in your mouth.

For those who had opt for the buffet, besides the endless servings of the exquisite meat, the selection of spread includes cold seafood such as Boston Lobster, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Sashimi & sushi, Hot dishes etc. One of my favourites was the live ramen station!

I heard something is coming up to celebrate Mother's Day hence do keep a lookout for it. International Buffet Dinner with Free-flow Bluefin Tuna Sushi and Sashimi $98++ per adult and $36++ per child (6 – 12 years old).

Photograph and written 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.

Element
Amara Hotel
165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 68792555, +65 68792607
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast (Daily): 6am - 1030am
Lunch (Mon-Fri, except PH): 12pm - 230pm
Brunch (Sat-Sun, PH): 1130am - 330pm
Dinner (Daily): 630pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]