The buzz: Suntec City’s revamp makes space for a cavernous open-concept Italian restaurant focusing on dishes from Bologna.
The vibe: Unlike most traditional Italian places, this one has a grittier industrial feel despite the fact that it’s situated in a mall. The space is decorated with modern metal-and-wood furniture and pops of color, while the entrance has a marketplace vibe with open shelves stocking olive oils, wines, Italian produce and a long case filled with homemade gelato.
The food: Homey Italian food you’d find at Nonna’s house—which isn’t surprising as an Italian family (with a strict Italian mother) runs the show. The menu is extremely affordable, with satisfying dishes of arancini ($8) with ragu sauce and a hefty Italian cold cuts and cheese board ($22). Pastas are also hearty, if on the creamy and heavy side, with heaping plates of traditional ragu tagliatelle ($15) and egg and squid ink tagliolini with shrimp ($16). The star of the pasta menu is the simple polenta lasagne ($18) made with thin sheets of creamy polenta with ragu and bechamel. They also do 12-inch pizzas—our favorite being the spicy and piquant arrabbiata ($18) covered in garlic, capers, chillies and rocket.
The drinks: House wines like Prosecco, Pinot Blanco and Sauvignon go for $8.50 all day, every day and the decent house Chianti is poured directly from a wooden barrel. Bottles of wine start at $50.
Why you’ll be back: Despite the drab mall location, it’s affordable homey Italian dining executed to the best possible cost.
