Baci Baci Ristorante Italiano

 A visit to Baci Baci for authentic Italian fare, tucked away at the charming corner of Lichfield Road, just adjacent to Walmer Drive.

Baci Baci Restaurant (Night)

Enjoying their flavourful pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and timeless Italian desserts, each thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients, delivering a comforting and classic dining experience in a cosy neighbourhood setting.

Baci Baci Restaurant Adjacent to Walmer Drive

Located at the end of a row of charming shophouses, Baci Baci carries a quiet, tucked-away appeal. Dining at their outdoor corner seating felt especially inviting, a cosy and slightly exclusive spot that offers a more intimate experience, perfect for a relaxed meal away from the bustle.

Outdoor Settings

Stepping indoors, the space is neatly furnished with warm, inviting touches. The walls are adorned with beautiful Venice-inspired artwork, adding a subtle European charm, while the encaustic tile flooring further enhances the space with its classic Mediterranean character. The blend of these elements creates a cosy and welcoming dining ambience.

Interior

As you step into the restaurant, their wine room greets you just beside the counter, offering a glimpse into a well-curated selection of bottles. The cosy space, lined with neatly displayed wines, adds a charming touch to the entrance and sets the tone for an authentic Italian dining experience.

Wine Section

A closer look at one of their prized selections a Barolo Riserva 2018, showcasing the depth and elegance of Italian wines, perfect for pairing with a hearty meal.

Wine

Walking deeper into the restaurant, you will find their open-concept wood-fired pizza oven taking centre stage. The glowing flames and rustic oven setup not only add to the ambience but also hint at the authentic flavours behind their freshly made pizzas.

Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

As soon as we were seated, this eye-catching vintage-style meat slicer immediately caught my attention, displayed neatly right beside our table. It added an interesting and authentic touch to the space, hinting at the restaurant’s appreciation for traditional Italian craftsmanship.

Vintage Meat Slicer

We also had the chance to watch our Bacon & Cheese pizza being crafted from scratch. From the careful layering of ingredients to the final touches before heading into the oven, it was fascinating to see the process unfold so beautifully right before our eyes.

Our Pizza from Scratch

Not only did we get to watch the process up close, but we also saw how skilfully the staff handled the baking. With practiced precision, the pizza was carefully rotated and monitored in the wood-fired oven, showcasing both technique and experience behind each perfectly baked creation.

Making of Pizza 

We started with the Burrata Pugliese , a delightful combination of creamy burrata paired with Parma ham, fresh green salad, and juicy tomatoes, offering a light yet indulgent start to the meal.

Burrata Pugliese - $34

Next, we had the Cacciucco, an Italian-style mixed seafood stew in a rich tomato base. The prawns were plump and succulent, with a satisfying texture that stood out. The luscious, flavourful tomato sauce was especially enjoyable, perfect for dipping with their bread and soaking up every bit of goodness.

Cacciucco - $33

We also picked one of their signature pizzas, the Bacon & Cheese. Topped with mozzarella, crispy bacon, smoked scamorza cheese, roasted potatoes, chilli, rosemary, and mini San Marzano tomatoes, each bite was rich, savoury, and beautifully balanced with layers of flavour.

Bacon Cheese Pizza - $35

My friend was especially impressed by the Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia, a squid ink pasta tossed with garlic, chilli, and mixed seafood. The prawns were once again plump and satisfying, complemented by squid, mussels, and clams. The pasta itself was cooked to al dente perfection, coated in a rich, briny squid ink sauce that brought everything together beautifully.

Spaghetti al nero di seppoa - $34

For the main, we shared the Tagliata Rucola Scaglie di Grana e Balsamico. The ribeye was cooked to a perfect medium, tender and juicy with a satisfying texture. Topped with shaved cheese and paired with roasted potatoes and fresh rocket leaves, the dish was beautifully balanced, with a light touch of balsamic bringing everything together.

Tagliata rucola scaglie di grana e balsamico - $54

We ended the meal on a sweet note with a Chocolate Salami paired with a scoop of pistachio gelato. Beautifully presented on a log-like plate, it was accompanied by figs, grapes, and strawberries on the side. The chocolate salami was delicately dusted with icing sugar, adding a lovely finishing touch to this indulgent dessert.

Chocolate Salami - $18

All in all, the food was enjoyable and the service commendable. While the location may be tucked a little deeper within the estate, it makes for a great spot when you are craving authentic Italian fare, or even a cosy setting for a romantic date.

Baci Baci Ristorante Italiano
Location: 27 Lichfield Rd, Singapore 556847
Website

LINO @ Binjai Park

With someone craving Italian food for a birthday celebration and Cacio e Pepe closed on a Monday we started looking for alternatives. After tossing around a few suggestions, we settled on LINO, an Italian concept by the Les Amis Group.

LINO

The festive mood still lingered, with the restaurant adorned in warm seasonal decorations, giving us even more reason to celebrate and soak in the joy of the season.

Entrance

Tucked away at the corner of the non-air-conditioned seating area was a charming garden-like nook, softly lit and lush with greenery, complete with a small basin by the side that added to its quaint, laid-back appeal.

LINO

Let’s browse through the menu and see what we ended up ordering.

Menu

For antipasti, we started with the Tuna “Crudo” as our cold starter. The lightly seared tuna loin (saku-cut) was dressed with pistachio, green olives, peperoncino, a squeeze of lemon juice, and finished with fragrant, fruity olive oil, clean, refreshing, and beautifully balanced in flavour.

Tuna "Crudo" - $16

For the hot starters, it was a rather familiar choice on the table. We went with the calamari, classic breaded squid rings served with lemon and Japanese mayonnaise. Nothing out of the ordinary, but comforting and enjoyable nonetheless.

Calamari - $16

Moving on to the mains, we had the Crispy Duck Leg Confit served with braised lentils and a mixed salad tossed in the restaurant’s Italian house dressing. The duck leg was crisp on the outside yet tender within, making it a satisfying and hearty main.

Duck Leg - $29

The Seafood Stew was both appetising and addictive. Brimming with prawns, snapper, octopus, and clams, the stew was simmered in a fragrant aromatic broth enriched with white wine, and best enjoyed with slices of toasted bread to soak up every last drop.

Seafood Stew - $36 

Moving on to the 12” pizzas, we went with the Mixed Meat. Loaded with pork fennel sausage, bacon, salami and spicy ’nduja, it was balanced with red onions over a base of tomato passata and melted mozzarella. The crust was nicely blistered, holding up well to the generous toppings while delivering bold, savoury flavours in every bite.

Mixed Meat - $29

As we were already quite full from dinner, we decided to share a Tiramisu to end the meal on a sweet note. The housemade Italian mascarpone was beautifully done, layered with coffee-soaked sponge that was rich yet light, making it a satisfying but not overly heavy finish.

Tiramisu - $14

LINO @ Binjai Park
Location: 7 Binjai Park, Singapore 589821 
Website

Casa Vostra (JEM)

Casa Vostra, the newly opened spot in JEM, has clearly captured everyone’s attention. I had assumed the crowds would ease after a few months, but reality proved otherwise. Even on a weekday before 6pm, the wait time was close to an hour. Thankfully, we managed to secure counter seats, which had a much shorter queue and saved us from the long wait.

Queue of Casa Vostra

Sitting at the counter turned out to be perfect for a curious diner like me. I had a front-row view of their open kitchen, watching the chefs stretch the dough, assemble each pizza, and slide it straight into the massive electric oven right before my eyes. It added a whole new layer of appreciation to the meal.

My View 

The dining area exudes the charm of a classic Italian restaurant, elegant, simple, and effortlessly inviting.

Dining Area 

Not every place serves Pappardelle, and even fewer get it right, it’s always a 50/50 chance. Thankfully, this Beef Cheek Pappardelle hit all the right notes. The wide, silky ribbons of pasta clung beautifully to the rich San Marzano DOP tomato sauce, while the slow-braised beef cheek ragu added an indulgent depth and tenderness in every bite. 

Beef Cheek Pappardelle - $25

Smoked pancetta and sofritto brought layers of savoury aroma, and the finishing touch of Parmigiano Reggiano elevated the dish with a nutty, salty fragrance. A hearty, well-executed pasta that truly comforts the soul.

Yummy

The 5 Formaggi e Pear pizza was a true standout. The crust had that perfect leopard-spotted char, lightly crisp on the outside, airy and chewy within, showing the skill of the kitchen and the power of that massive oven. Each bite was a luxurious blend of rich, molten cheeses: the creaminess of mascarpone, the mellow tang of Taleggio, the sharpness of Parmigiano, the stretchy fiordilatte, and the unmistakable boldness of gorgonzola.

5 Formaggi e Pear - $26

What elevated it further was the pear compote. Its gentle sweetness cut through the richness, creating a beautiful balance that kept the flavours from becoming overwhelming. The drizzle of olive oil and crack of black pepper added fragrance and depth, making this pizza both indulgent and incredibly harmonious. A comforting yet sophisticated choice that lingers deliciously on the palate.

Yummy

They say the length of the queue reflects the food quality and it definitely does! This round, we only managed to order two items, and they already kept us full. We will be back for more when the queue isn’t so long, hopefully.

Rating: 4 / 5

Casa Vostra (JEM)
Location: JEM, 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #01-03, Singapore 608549
Nearest Station: Jurong East (EW24 / NS1)
Website

Ristorante Palermo

While the Makan Kaki saw an advertisement online with Pasta going 1 for 1 from Ristorante Palermo, a reservation was made for our dinner at Keppel Bay.

Ristorante Palermo

The atmosphere is quiet and charming with glass panels, overlooking the Docking Bay.

Interior 

 If you are dating or celebrating any special occasions,  this serves as a good place to romance your date.

Keppel Bay

We thought that the Olive Oil and Vinegar were contained in a unique glass, as well as the salt and pepper. 

Condiments

Like most Italian restaurants, we were served with some toast while waiting for the orders. 

Bread / Toast

I'm always a fan of pappardelle and since this particular pasta was served there, we ordered and had a try. The broad pasta was of the right thickness and cooked to perfection served with tender chunks of Angus Beef, Porcini Mushrooms and shaved parmesan flakes. The ratio of Pasta Sauce to Pappardelle was well managed to the right portion.

Pappardelle Angus Beef - $38 

Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio was cooked to Al Dente Perfection too with Bell Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, prawns, garlic and chilli flakes. Though grilled, Tiger Prawns were huge and succulent. 

Grilled Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio - $38

We ordered their Speciality Pizza and it is also suitable for vegetarians. The fragrance lingers along the hallway in the restaurant while it is being served. The crust was crispy and addictive topped with Porcini Mushroom, black truffle pesto and soft egg as well as truffle caviar, not forgetting the pulling mozzarella cheese.

Palermo Speciale (Vegetarian) - $32

Overall, its a complimentary of great ambience and quality food that you may want to unwind and spoil yourself for some moments.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 

Ristorante Palermo
Location: Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, #02-03, 098382

Pastaria Abate

While we were searching for the pasta to fix the cravings, we came across Pastaria Abate which received pretty good reviews on social media. Pastaria Abate is dedicated in fresh handmade pasta using fresh ingredients and making it at an affordable price. They served homestyle Italian dishes with family recipes passed down over generations. 

Interior of Pastaria Abate

We were sipping these drinks waiting for our food to be served. 

Iced Cappuccino & White Peach Cooler - $7.90 & $8.80

The flame-grilled pork belly is lightly salted and I'm surprised by the crisp exterior when I sink my teeth into it. The thickness of the pork belly was just a little thick and it is super tender and super juicy. The dish was paired with some vegetables as a side. 

Italian Grilled Pork Belly - $16.80

If you are coming here for Pasta, there are 3 Categories of pasta for customers to choose, 100% Egg Pasta, Dried Pasta and Fresh Specialty Pasta. They can be served with Cream Sauce, Red Sauce or White Wine Sauce.Altogether, they have more than 20 kinds of pasta for you to choose from too.

I had Al Ragu under the Red Sauce Section and pairing it with Pappardelle from the 100% Egg Pasta. Not many pasta places served Pappardelle and Al Ragu is also one of the recommended Pasta on its menu.

Al Ragu - $28.80

This traditional chunky beef stew sauce was slow to cook for 12 hours. The texture of the Pappardelle gained nods from us and the thickness of the Pappardelle was slimmer 

Pappardelle

Opted the dried pasta, Linguine, to go with Carbonara. The Linguine was cooked to Al Dente Perfection, uniformly covered in light cream sauce. The Carbonara comes with chunky bacon bits and topped with a poached egg.

Carbonara - $28.80

While this classic italian dessert is often known for its intense, rich and indulging flavour. We find that their traditional Tiramisu was lacking of the strong flavour that we were seeking for despite of its light mascarpone cheese.

 

Traditional Tiramisu - $12.80

No doubt that texture is flavoursome to us, taste like espresso was lacklustre. We find that if it has alcohol in it, it could make it better.

Tiramisu Layers

With them serving fresh, authentic and delightful pasta, we had finally found a place to fix our cravings.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Pastaria Abate
Location: 86 Neil Rd, Singapore 088846
Website

Arteastiq DePatio Plaza Sing

Being spoilt for food choices in Plaza Singapura, we finally settle ourselves in Arteastiq depatio after running an errand.

Arteastiq depatio

The menu was featured outside the restaurant in a standee form. We are able to glance through the items on the menu before walking into the restaurant.

Menu

The area was brightly lited in a comfortable setting. Though it is located indoors, the environment was like dining in an outdoor setting with a wooden table and paved ground.

Interior Setting

Both House Brewed Drinks are rather refreshing in taste with the soda water.

House Brewed Ginger Ale & House Brewed Salted Lemon - $6.80

The Pork Belly had a thick crispy crust with succulent meat. The dish was served with sauerkraut, mustard, spices and herbs.

Pancetta Roast Pork Belly - $15

During 4-8pm, Fresh Oysters will be priced at $2 per piece instead of the usual $3.50. However, this promotion will only be limited to 1 dozen per table only.  The Oysters are served with lemon and onion red wine vinegar to pair along. 

Fresh Oysters - $2 / Pcs

230g Black Angus Rib eye served with sauteed spinach, fries and garlic butter. The meat was tender enough and cook to the right doneness as requested.

French Affection Ribeye - $34

The Cod Fish and Chips were not greasy and were served with shoestring fries, horseradish mayo, lemon pepper and mushy peas.

Cod Fish & Chips - $20

A different kind of execution for a classic Tiramisu is to remove the film surrounding the dessert and let the layered smooth mascarpone cheese collapse into the sponge finger with brewed black coffee. Not too bad, at least we had a satisfying ending with the meal.

Classic Tiramisu - $16

Food overall was standard fare. 

Rating: 3 / 5

Arteastiq DePatio Plaza Sing
Location: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road #03-70/72 Singapore 238839