Have a little break

Still can’t believe how hectic my schedule is this week. I thought I’ll have some time to take a break and enjoy some family bonding, but I guess I’ll be doing a buzzer beater again. My mom asked me if I can treat her friends out for dinner this week, they were raving about Italian food in Singapore and how there are so many Italian restaurants here.

I couldn’t say no to them because they’re really good to me and my sister. So I’m squeezing them in my tight schedule and probably would have to make reservations in one of the restaurants near my work. I couldn’t afford to bring them all the way to Al Forno, even though I know they’ll love it there. It’s far from where I work and I know I can find a nearer Italian restaurant that serves almost the same quality of food as Al Ferno.

Speaking of Italian food, I’ve been slowly enjoying my Italian food with a glass of wine these past few times that I’ve had Italian for a meal. I used to shy away from wines because I’m not really a wine aficionado. I would opt for some Iced tea or bottled water whenever I eat out. But now, I get it why some people pair their meals with a glass of wine.

I still do not follow the red is for meat and white is for fish type of thing. But I do have my favorites already. I find merlot and Pinot noir subtle on the taste but rich on flavor. When it comes to whites, chardonnay is the best for me. My friends say I drink like an old lady because I prefer Chardonnay, I don’t care. The taste is mellow, and you can smell the grapes. I also like Vinho Verde. I like my whites chilled, and Vinho Verde is so refreshing. I’m sorry if I couldn’t find the right terms in describing the wines, I’m still a work in progress.

So, yeah my Italian dinner with mom’s friends, I’m thinking of maybe bringing them to the one near the Marina bay area. It’s a little bit pricy but I’m sure they will like the ambience, view and the food in that restaurant.

I like their cheese Tortelli there. Their pastas are freshly made, so when you bite into them, the taste is different from store-bought brands. They have good selection of seafood dishes too, but what I’m really looking forward to is their Angus beef in black truffle and red wine sauce reduction.

It’s good that I’m an Italian food junky too, so that I can share to my mom’s friends that even when you’re not in Italy, Italian food in Singapore is as good as you can get. Now, about the wine thingy, let me see if I’ll like my angus beef with a red wine this time?

Whimsical Italian Food

This is what the owners of this restaurant want us to believe. That dining in their restaurant means catering to our utmost desires of Italian food. We were so intrigued by it, and honestly for all my years in Singapore, this is the first time that I’m eating here. It was supposed to be a great gastronomical experience.

The restaurant is found at the Tahjong Pagar area. My friend reserved for us, because we don’t want to go all the way there and finds out that we don’t have a table. It was lunch time when we arrived. They only open at specific time so for people who are interested, make sure to have your reservations. I’m lover of Italian food. I eat and breathe anything Italian. I can’t say that I’m an expert, but when it comes to pizza and or pasta, I can honestly say that I can distinguish great pasta to a second-rate one.

The place is nice. Shabby chic is what I would describe it. It has a homey feeling, even though everything looks so expensive. I get it why Italian food in Singapore is very popular. Aside from it being simply delicious, it has a sexiness appeal to it. Just like this restaurant, it looks like everything is put up together in a way that it’s not too over-bearing.

We were looking at the menu and it was simple. They do have a degustation menu, but we’re not here for that. I love their prawns and avocado salad. A nice touch for something rich was that they used citrus-based dressing.

I came here for pizza and pasta, and I ended up ordering risotto. I haven’t had risotto in awhile and I keep on forgetting that part of Italian food is risotto. Italians make the best risotto. The one with the pan-seared scallops was really divine. The risotto was cooked perfectly. It was creamy and the lemon zest was a nice touch.

My friends ordered Tagliolini Primavera, squid ink fetuccini, and Sous-vide cod fish. The fish wasn’t dry at all. I actually got to taste each dish, and yes, it’s true that the Primavera was a little bit on the average side, but the squid ink fetuccini was beyond expectations. Because I’m used to tomato based pasta sauces it would really take a phenomenal sauce to knock me off my socks.

Overall, the experience was ok. If you ask me, wherever place you’ll bring me, as long as it’s great Italian food I’ll be there, regardless of what the surroundings look like.