Dining is an adventure that engages all senses. Part of the excitement is discovering new tastes and textures of food, and another part is like a mini travel to a new place and immersing oneself in it. And at Trattoria Nonna Lina, I get exactly what I'm looking for: enjoy a good unique meal at a place like no others in Singapore. Yes, the place feels like an Italian home, super cosy and full of personal touches.
Frittura di Calamari is served in very generous portion, perfect for sharing, but I have no problem finishing it by myself since deep fried squid rings are easy to bite. Tartar sauce is thick and creamy, more nuanced in flavours, going very well with the calamari.
But the real highlight is the arrabbiate sauce, yes, that red sauce. I seldom get arrabbiate sauce served with calamari at other Italian restaurants, so this is quite a new experience, and a good experience at that. With tomatoes as base, this sauce has the refreshing tangy taste that balances well with the seafood flavour of the squid. What makes this sauce special is spicy element from the garlic and red chilli peppers that really kicks things up a notch.
I never knew just chopped tomatoes with herbs and spices on bread can be so good until I have them here at this restaurant. Definitely another unique experience and the spread being handmade really gives that homely feel. The toasted aroma of bread accentuated by the zest of the tomatoes and the pungent flavours of the herbs + spices. The refreshing juices of the tomatoes also goes very well with the crunchy, crispy texture of the toasted bread. This is so good. I also like the pretty tongs that come with the bread and also the calamari, giving that "Come help yourself to these treats" vibe.
Lots of Italian restaurants serve spaghetti but not many serve gnocchi. And this restaurant is one of the few that do. Actually I love gnocchi due to its slightly chewy texture of potato starch. So when I see Gnocchi Mare e Monti on the menu, I immediately order this. Again, this dish has that homely feel where the chef adds in lots of goodies such as large prawns, smoked pork jowl, porcini mushrooms and special secret spicy sauce, which is like wanting the family enjoying a yummy and nutritious meal. I also love this dish a lot. It is so full of flavours and the spicy flavour makes the taste exciting.
Panna Cotta comes in pretty generous portion. The milk pudding is full of milky goodness and is of perfect consistency, being soft and jiggly smooth. The alcohol within adds a kick and refreshing taste to the milk. A very nice dessert to complete the meal with.
Checkered tablecloth, Italian memorabilia and collectibles, quirky quotes and Italian posters, this place is full of personal touches and really feels like a cosy, rustic, comfy Italian home. The service is very welcoming. The young service staff is very efficient, friendly, knowledgable and quick to response to requests. One special noteworthy gesture is that he straightaway pull out a chair to place beside me to put my bags. That's so thoughtful! the Italian guy will serve the dishes with lots of gusto, livening up the atmosphere to make it feel like, well, a home gathering.
Dining here is an experience like no others. This place is definitely worth a trip for that unique experience and the good food, of course.
Thoughts: Loving the Heart-warming Homemade Food here!
Creamy pesto sauce, trofie texture was on point, it's slightly harder than pasta but still very addictive. This is how the texture should be imo
Homely dishes, good execution at this place. However for such comfort food the price seems abit high after the price hike
U get the unmistakable funk of gorgonzola but when you actually put it into your mouth, the funk isn't too strong at all. Otherwise the lovely umami of gorgonzola is perfectly infused into the cream. Portion is on the smaller side because it can get jelat, so it's definitely filling
This might be dish of the meal that pleasantly surprised me
The risotto didn't have much chew but there's some bite, it's quite different in texture from the usual. It's also very different in flavour, there's a seafood umami permeating the risotto and somehow you can taste the squid ink
Seafood were fresh and well cooked, shell and mix it in, else it's abit plain on its own
A solid version, justifies the price
Pretty good. The bread was of good texture and toasted well, and the tomatoes were rlly juicy and bright, kinda homely actl
[Nonna Lina] Last night's dinner situation at this quaint Italian family-run restaurant located at the Tanjong Pagar/Outram area. If you truly want the authentic Italian dining experience, this is the place to be. Not only will you get to indulge in excellent Italian fare, you will be transported back to Italy and reveled in the family chatter atmosphere.
What I had on the table was the Pappardelle al Ragu Toscano ($29, homemade pappardelle with special Tuscan beef and tomato sauce). For a price like this, you better be getting some kick-ass pasta and I was not disappointed as the homemade pappardelle was served al dente style and the minced beef in tomato sauce makes it a very classic yet technical dish to master.
Address: 61 Cantonment Road, Singapore 089757
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Now playing: 🎶 Fall Out Boy - Immortals 🎶
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Really love the texture of freshly handmade pastas. The beef Ragu with handmade pappardelle was the star of the night. Finished one huge bowl meant for sharing just by myself. That is how much I love this dish.
Decor is a little more upscale than homey previously. They still served the oh-so-good-and-appetising crusty bruschetta with delicious olive oil laced salsa to everyone. This squid ink risotto is unbelievably tasty - packed with seafood flavour and generously served with soft juicy squid, crab meat and prawn chunks. It's 'drier' than most cream risottos but I LOVE it - my friend commented that she's never heard me make so many sounds with every single bite. It's not cheap but I think it's worth all of the $31 price tag. Would also recommend the antipasti such as the beef carpaccio and parma ham with mozzarella (fav among my friends). Come in a group so you get to taste more dishes! #Burpple
Homemade pappardelle with Italian sausages in creamy gorgonzola sauce. The highlight of the dinner, hands down one of the best creamy pappardelle i've ever tasted 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌 👍👍👍👍👍 The chunky minced meat from the sausage tasted so well with the al dente pasta and the creamy sauce. This is a truly die-die-must-try dish!! We were keep on "mmmhhhh-ing" while eating it. Trust me. You gottta try it. You will thank me. Love this restaurant, ran by a friendly Italian family, casual restaurant setting but the food is superior quality and taste. I vow to return, many times.
Spaghetti with fresh seasonal Italian fish roe, enhanced with clams and prawns in white wine sauce. So tasty, and there are generous chunks of prawn and clams. I read a review of this restaurant that suggested to stick to their pasta dishes. Yes indeed, i agree. Very good seafood pasta! 🍝😋
Delicious starter, creamy burrata cheese on bed of romaine letttuce served with parma ham and cherry tomatoes, drizzles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
If you truly want the authentic Italian dining experience, this is the place to be. Not only will you get to indulge in excellent Italian fare, you will be transported back to Italy and reveled in the family chatter atmosphere.
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What I had on the table was the Pappardelle al Ragu Toscano ($29, homemade pappardelle with special Tuscan beef and tomato sauce). For a price like this, you better be getting some kick-ass pasta and I was not disappointed as the homemade pappardelle was served al dente style and the minced beef in tomato sauce makes it a very classic yet technical dish to master.
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Address: 61 Cantonment Road, Singapore 089757
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Now playing: 🎶 Fall Out Boy - Immortals 🎶
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Complimentary bruschetta to start the dinner, instead of diced the tomato is pureed mixed with herbs, served with rocket leaves and drizzle of olive oil. It is so good, that you know the rest of the dinner will be good when you have really good complimentary starter
