Italian

𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚 ($32) - Neapolitan style pizza with airy and crisp crust. Enjoyed the savory mix of goat cheese with sweet pumpkin cream, and crispy bits of cured pork cheek balanced by leafy vegetables.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞 ($28) - Stuffed and well-balanced pizza pocket with stringy mozarella, prosciutto, pork sausage, juicy mushrooms, and tomatoes.

𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐮 - Nutty, eggless rendition of the classic Italian dessert with luscious cream, hazelnut liquor, and aromatic coffee finish. For added coffee, one can have it with the cube of espresso jelly made from @cowpressocoffeesg. Enjoyed the rich flavours but personally would have liked for more sponge:cream ratio.

𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚 ($20) - Unique fried rendition with a crisp exterior that was egg-like and creamy centre. Paired with tangy Mariana sauce and flavoured grilled sourdough.

𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚 (4⭐️; $23) - Vegetarian focaccia-pizza that was straightforward comfort food. The focacina was airy and light with a crisp exterior. Topped with fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, finished with fresh basil and herbs.

𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐝𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚 ($26) - Personal favourite of the night. Rich in seafood and umami flavour from the squid ink marina base without being too cloying. Served with fresh and juicy prawns, mussels, clams, and squid.

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐥𝐚 ($22) - Jovially referred to as “mee hoon kueh”, the thick and flat paccheri were cooked perfectly al-dente. The truffle here was distinct without being overpowering (from the use of actual truffle shavings instead of truffle oil) and balanced out by the savory pork sausage for truly moreish bites.

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𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐤 ($24) - Channeling hearty breakfast feels with the juicy and creamy mix of Italian pork ham, mushrooms, and sunny side up.

Insta: cafehoppingkids

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚 ($28) - Great for sharing, this was a delicious platter of luscious buratta with thin-cut parma ham and fresh arugula.

Did you know that this Italian riverfront restaurant offers 25% off takeaway meals (for pick up orders)?

𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐳𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 (4 ⭐️; $30) - Smooth and creamy mozzarella paired with rocket, cherry tomatoes, and a herbaceous basil pesto sauce. Enjoyed the gentle saltiness and tanginess of the fresh cheese.

𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 (3.5 ⭐️; $46) - Indulgent pasta with a generously-sized and tasty half Boston lobster. The tomato-based sauce was a more standard tangy mix with white wine; personally would have preferred for stronger seafood or zesty flavour.

𝐄𝐠𝐠𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 (5 ⭐️; $15) - Favourite dish of the night. Perfect balance of sour tartness from the Roma tomatoes, soft juicy eggplants, and smoked ‘caciocavallo’ fondue. Who knew eggplants could taste this good! Already wishing for another bite of this unique combo.

𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 (3.5 ⭐️; $19) - Chewy tartare with pops of creaminess from the bone marrow and topped with salty capers. Yummy but nothing memorable.

For pastas, we generally enjoyed the QQ aldente texture and refinement of flavours but did feel they were pricey for the small starter portion. 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 (4 ⭐️; $20) had a delightful mix of tender braised pork jowl and crispy guanciale but did wish for slightly more generous coating of sauce. Enjoyed the fresh and juicy raw red prawn 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢 (4 ⭐️; $24) coated in a zesty seafood sauce, while cheese lovers might enjoy the 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 (3.5 ⭐️; $22). Amazing plating aside, personally found this heavier on the palette with the generous dousing of taleggio and wished for more tender short ribs.