Showing posts with label pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pasta. Show all posts

Monday, November 28, 2011

Amici

Amici has a nice decor, open concept kitchen and a romantic setting especially at the back of the restaurant. Been here for the third time and from past visits, their service can be grumpy auntie or nice lady/gentleman. The lightings are really dim so if you want some cosy time together this is a lovely place to dine and relax.

Nice setting
Toasted basket of garlic bread - 8pcs ($7.90)
Escargot - one dozen ($23.90)
We started with some garlic bread as well as escargot and as disgusted the birthday girl was when we talked about eating oven baked snails with garlic butter, she managed to get herself together and took one small bite of the snail when it was served! =D 

Special tong and fork for the snail
Garlic bread was good and if you haven't tried snails before, their texture is pretty similar to clams except it is more tender. I personally would have added more salt since the snails itself doesn't have much taste.

Seafood risotto di mare ($28.90)
Seafood with italian rice in roma tomatoes was alright. Thought the rice can be cooked slightly longer but glad that they were not stingy with the seafood.

Gamberi al sugo di pomodoro ($27.90)
The crayfish and mixed seafood pasta with chef spicy tomato sauce was nothing much to rave about. Safe choice but not very exciting in taste.

Nero di calamari e merluzzo ($26.90)
Pasta with squid ink and fried cod is not bad. I like their fried cod which is crispy and smooth on the inside. Couldn't really taste anything special with the squid ink pasta but was entertained with the visible change in colour of the teeth. Hehe..

Fettuccine alla russa ($20.90)
The pasta with smoked salmon & caviar served in vodka cream is probably the best of the night. Really special sauce which taste superb with the salmon and really well cooked fettuccine pasta.

Grilled beef tenderloin - 200gm ($39.90)
Nice..
I chosed the summer truffles in madeira sauce for the tenderloin and it tasted ordinary to me. Totally didn't feel my money's worth for 200gm of this tenderloin as the texture was comparable to any good rib eye steak. The only positive comment would be that the doneness of the steak was right.

With macarons!
<3
We finished the dinner with a birthday cake from Amici. Really thick and chocolatey which I enjoyed very much! Another must try dessert at Amici is their Tiramisu! I had that in Amici Bangkok as well and I have to say their Tiramisu is one of the best so far!

If you have that promotion voucher they always sell, I would say it's really worth the buy for a dinner here. Otherwise, I feel that Amici is overpriced for their food. Oh and apart from the smoke and oil, I do enjoy whiffs of aroma from their open kitchen.

Amici
Holland Village
275 Holland Avenue
Singapore 278993
Tel: 4699989
Mon -  Thurs & Sun: 11.30am - 11pm Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11.30am - 11.30pm
(Closed from 3 - 6pm)
http://www.amici.com.sg/

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Wine Company

It was my best friend's birthday and she wanted somewhere quiet, private and really nice to chill like - The Wine Company at Sentosa Boardwalk.

Birthday girl =)
Sentosa Boardwalk connects Vivocity to Sentosa island and is also the first garden-themed boardwalk in Southeast Asia to feature tropical landscapes which are indigenous to Singapore.

Located right in the middle of the Sentosa Boardwalk, The Wine Company offers food as well, on top of its extensive wine list of more than 300 wines, and has a really quiet, romantic and comfortable ambience for a good harbour view over a glass or two.

Sunset when we arrived!
Customers enjoying their wine and isn't their background lightings beautiful?
We chosed to sit inside for our food first before moving out later for our drinks (as well as to enjoy the night view).

Because the lightings in the restaurant were really dim, all my photos are taken with the lousy flash and poor focus from my iPhone so pardon me if the photos appear badly taken or blurry.

Cheese Croquettes ($8)
Started with Cheese Croquettes which is of melted cheese in golden crust but what was presented to us were overfried crust with cheese that tasted mediocre.

Not much bang. =/
French Onion Soup ($8)
Consisting of beef broth and caramelised onions topped with a toast and melted cheese, the French Onion Soup tasted light with a hint of sweetness but I still favour thick soups like cream of mushroom or clam chowder!

Bruschetta Platter ($14) served with  Roma Tomatoes, Olive Tapenade and Chicken Liver Pate (from left)
The Roma Tomatoes were ordinary tasting and Olive Tapenade tasted too strong. It's my first time eating Chicken Liver Pate which tasted very yummy and because I prefer bread that is soft and fluffy, I didn't really appreciate the crispy and very well toasted bread so I was eating the chicken liver pate on its own the whole time! One of my girlfriends don't like any kind of livers so no matter how tasty we say it was, she was not tempted to try it at all. If you happen to be same like her, please try cause it tasted good!

Spaghetti Carbonara ($14)
Super thick and heavy creamy sauce!
There's nothing to complain about their tasty Carbonara. ;)

Seafood Marinara Linguine in Tomato sauce ($17)
Seafood Marinara Linguine in White Wine sauce ($17)
Birthday girl and girlfriend ordered the same - Seafood Marinara Linguine, al dente with prawn, mussel and squid. Birthday girl requested for white wine sauce which the chef gladly did so for her. After trying both styles, I feel the pasta is done better in red.

Chicken Pesto Cream Penne ($14)
Penne al dente with sauteed chicken & pine nuts in pesto sauce, this is probably the best pasta we ordered for the night! I love the tender flavourful chicken and the sauce which is not as thick as the carbonara's one! Undoubtedly, all the pasta we ordered were good and firmness of the noodle were all done very well!

Tuna Steak ($22)
Shiny smooth!
Served with french beans, roasted cherry tomato with basil and balsamic sauce, their Tuna Steak is a winner. The pan seared tuna steak was nicely done, the texture of the fish was fine and smooth in the mouth and the crunchy french beans were nice to chew on. Overall, the contrast in taste and texture between the crust and the interior of the tuna makes it very interesting to the palate.

Chocolate Truffle Cake ($18) from The Line Shop in Shangri-la hotel
Very chocolatey moussey texture
Since there is the birthday cake, we did not order any of their desserts. Girlfriend got a super good deal for this cake at only $18!! Even Prima Deli or Four Leaves's cake cost way more! This Chocolate Truffle Cake is one of The Line Shop's signature cakes, and it tasted very very rich with mousse-like texture, perfect for those who has a chocolate tooth.. like me. =D

Also, we loved that the service was very pleasant and the two staff that served us were very attentive and polite. Twice we approached them to help us charge our iPhone which they had no problems with and probably cause it was a Sunday night, the business was rather slow and steady so they weren't too overworked I guess.

Porta Rossa Moscato d'Asti ($48.50)
Sweet toast to end a lovely night
To enjoy the rest of the night with much bliss, we ordered Moscato from Piedmont region, Italy. Made from 100% Muscadelle grapes, the wine is light straw yellow in colour. An aromatic wine with a flowery bouquet and the slight fizz gives the wine the zest it is known for that sweet and refreshing taste.

Beautiful lightings.. so romantic.
Peace
The Wine Company is definitely a great place to hang out at, be it with friends, for business or romance with that peaceful harbour view. Do mark this place down and ease away all the stress of life in Singapore, with a glass of wine and good company.

The Wine Company (Sentosa Boardwalk)
6 Sentosa Gateway
#01-08
Singapore 098072
Tel: 63769029
Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 12am
Fri - Sat & Eve of PH: 12pm - 1am
Sunday & PH: 10am - 11pm
http://www.thewinecompany.com.sg/