If I have to choose one meal before my last breath, it is all things Italian. Why? With regional diversity I can go for 20 meals representing 20 different regions and cheat death in my way. Buy extra time among the living while savouring the Mediterranean flavours of fresh fish, olives and burrata cheese.
July was indulging on homely Italian meals (not like I have been into Italian homes). First dinner was at Donna Carmela, Greenwood Avenue. With splendid memory, the managing director Simo (or better known as Simone) recognised me as a returning diner. Bearing in mind my last visit was in October, I am giving 98 points for awesome customer relationship management!
Donna Carmela features a traditional decoration with strong focus on their ambience. Do away with the wine menu, most Italian restaurants in Singapore have some form of open cellar to choose from. The ristorante is related to the Tinazzi vineyard, so you can expect a range of wines from there.
If you visit them for the Sunday Brunch, try their Tinazzi’s Negro Amaro Primitivo. At 12 per cent alcohol by volume it is one of the hard-to-come-by decent-low-alcohol red wines in the market. Great with the roast meat they serve in the Brunch.
Prefetto!
This visit organised by Sandro from Italian Wine Club, started an antipasti pairing a sparkling red Lambrusco di Sorbara. Acquired taste for most, this is dry (not sweet), slightly fizzy (a frizzante), and shows slight hint of dry hay. Went well with the light cheeses but I prefer this over a warm sunny picnic.
The “Gabbas” Dule Cannonau di Sardegna which featured in the Master Class was simply yummy. The most picturesque comment I got was, “feels like going on a first date, escalated through the night and ends like a fireworks.”
I don’t know why some one would say that, but fireworks always ends with a bang. I didn’t get lucky if that’s on your mind.
The night right after Donna Carmela, was at “No Menu” by Osvaldo Forlino, a great deal organised by Robert Rees from Wine Exchange Asia. At S$120 per pax with wines this is a daylight-robbery-deal, especially when Osvaldo Forlino was a Michelin-starred chef. Serving home-styled Italian food, the restaurant was cosy. A little too cosy with occasional bumps from the serving staff. But they are nice in general.
Apart from an (oops) corked bottle of Prosecco, the highlight was “Arruga” Carignano del Sulcis 2007 by Sardus Pater. A remarkable red wine made from 100 per cent 80-years old Carginan vines. It was awarded “Red Wine of the year for 2012” by Gambero Rosso. Rightfully, deserving so.
A charming bottle that made both Chris and I chant “arruga” repeatedly so we can have the bottle of wine back. Bold intensity packaged in an all-out style, stating its unashamed warm heritage with nicely layered texture and aroma.
I would love to have this again some time both soon and later.
Clearly I am not giving up on my Italian cuisine diet any time soon. Next on my list of Italian restaurant-bar to visit, the newly opened In Italy. Wait for the place and their wines, out.
