The 2nd restaurant i am reviewing, is a casual Italian restaurant that prides itself for serving all-time traditional flavours from various regions and provinces in Italy. In this Esplanade branch, they also offer an option of a rooftop alfresco dining, which will give you views of Marina Bay while you dine away. However, i didnt manage to get a place there, because my dining partner felt it is too warm. Oh well.
This is the set dinner menu for Restaurant Week, with a total of 5 courses for $35++
Amuse Bouche: Pan-seared King Scallop
Looks clean & nice, but scallops are too small to be called King Scallops, and the seasoning is a little too salty.
1st Entree: Double-boiled consomme with Oxtail Ravioli
Soup was not as oily as it looks, not very strong in flavour, but luckily not bland. Those who like subtle flavours should like this. The oxtail ravioli was average, the pasta skin was a little too firm, and the meat could be a little more tender.
2nd Entree: Marinated Tuna with Tomato Salad & Sweet Pepper Oil
I didnt really like this dish. The tuna was too cooked and too firm to look like a tataki (looks can be deceiving), i like mine more raw in the centre. The sweet pepper oil (or should i say sauce?) tastes more like chilli than pepper. Salad was just a small heap of raw greens.
Main Course 1: Oven-roasted Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Pumpkin Mash & Onion Confit
Easily the best course of the night, i was pleased with my choice of Main course. The beef was done just the way i wanted it, medium rare & pink in the centre with juices oozing out with every slice i cut. It was so good, my dining partner who chose the fish course couldnt resist trying more and more of the beef. The pumpkin mash & onion confit were not too bad too, sweet but not cloyingly sweet. Nice accompaninent!
Main course 2: Pan-seared King Salmon on Sauteed Summer Vegetables with Warm Tomato Vinaigrette
I didnt try this dish, but my dining partner didnt think it was nice, and the meat was a little too dry.
I guess overall, they still fare better in the meat dishes, as compared to their seafood ones so far.
Dessert: Lavender-infused Ivory Mousse on Strawberry & Mint Salad
Another average dessert, with a few strips of strawberry and mint leaves placed on a small block of vanilla(?)mousse cake. I don't taste or smell any lavender though.
All in all, for the beef, i will consider making a trip down here again. But this time, i will try to get the rooftop alfresco seats! :)
Al Dente Trattoria
Esplanade Mall - Colours By the Bay
No comments:
Post a Comment