The sprouting of new Italian restaurants seems to show no signs of abating. Although more have been slated to debut in the coming months, we couldn’t wait to present five of the newest in town:
CRITIC’S PICK Amarone
Family-style Italian in the CBD
Osvaldo Forlino – the chef who once presided over the kitchens of Il Lido, Forlino and the defunct Osvaldo Ristorante – now caters to the business crowd with this 170-seater outpost at the glitzy Capital Tower. The soaring ceiling hanging with latticework, plush leather arm chairs and walls adorned with framed family heirloom artefacts – including a 200-year-old hand-weaved tablecloth – provide a smart yet warm backdrop. The executive clientele come for Osvaldo’s family-style Italian dishes focused on fresh produce: think creamy burrata (a mozzarella-cream cheese) with rocket leaves and Sicilian tomatoes ($50++); home-made tagliolini with savoury crab meat ($28++); and seasonal off-menu specials like white asparagus. #01-08/09-10 Capital Tower, 168 Robinson Road; 6423 0464; Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm.
Covelli Italian Bistro & Wine Bar's capesante e gamberi - prawns and scallops with Avruga caviarCovelli Italian Bistro & Wine Bar
Contemporary Italian in basement of Orchard Central
It may not boast a hot-blooded Italian chef in the kitchen but this smart, glass-wrapped Italian bistro at the basement of Orchard Central is wowing both shoppers and diners with more than just its central location at Singapore’s shopping belt. The calling card here is contemporary Italian cuisine executed with finesse. The affordable weekday three-course set lunch ($14.90++ to $16.90++) draws a big lunch crowd, but it’s the à la carte menu that gives us plenty of reasons to return. Standouts include seared scallops and prawns crowned with Avrugar caviar, served with rocket leaves and sundried tomato puree ($24++); and the addictive black truffle and cheese-stuffed ravioli in cheese sauce with a dust of grated hazelnut ($20++). #B2-13/22, 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central; 6238 6400; Daily 11am-3pm, 6pm-11pm.
Otto Locanda
Fine dining Otto’s trattoria sister
Housed in the former roost of Osvaldo Ristorante (and the short-lived L’Angolo) in Maxwell Chambers, this less austere sister outlet of fine dining Italian stalwart, Otto, sits just steps away from her stable mate. Fittingly, the wood-swathed, double-tiered dining space is decked to play its part of the trattoria with copper lid hanging lamps and cushy leather banquette seats. Head chef Davide Fabiano was last personal chef to the Italian ambassador to Tokyo and his strength is in the classic Italian dishes plated with contemporary flair. Highlights include the melt-in-the-mouth Venetian salt cod with oven-baked polenta croutons ($24++) and the risotto alla Parmigiana (risotto cooked in vegetable broth and white wine, wrapped in Parma ham, $26++). #01-03 Maxwell Chambers, 32 Maxwell Road; 6224 0978; Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm, Sat 6pm-10pm.
The oven-baked whole sea bass with leek and garlic at Trattoria Gallo d'OroPepeNero
Southern Italian at Stanley Street
Former head chef of Basilico, Marco Violano, joins the ranks of hotel chefs-turned-restaurateurs with the opening of this spot lit space. Under the shelter of the lofty ceiling, Violano plays dual role of host and chef, but it’s with the latter that he impresses. Southern Italian fare is executed with both refinement and a touch of rusticity. Find out what to order here. 14 Stanley Street; 6222 5808; Mon-Fri noon- 2pm, 5:45pm to 11pm; Sat 5:45pm to 11pm
Trattoria Gallo d’Oro
Homely Italian in former French Kitchen space
After a local career spanning 17 years in hotel-owned Italian restaurants including DOMVS and Ristorante Bologna, Carlo Maregoni decided to call the shots as co-owner and head chef of newly opened Trattoria Gallo D’oro. Italian for ‘golden rooster’, the restaurant takes over the minimalist space vacated by the French Kitchen in Central Mall. The madeover interior is rustic with wood-panelled ceiling peppered with exposed bricks. Maregoni’s style is homely, and at this new venture the food is mostly for sharing in small plates. Don’t miss the rarely seen veal-stuffed ravioli with crisp bacon and sage ($20) as well as the moist and succulent oven-baked whole sea bass with heaps of sautéed leek and garlic ($29). 7 Magazine Road, #01-03 Central Mall; 6438 8131;Mon-Sat noon-3pm 6.30pm-10.30pm.
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