Vita Italiana Singapore Review

Tasting Invite

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Singaporeans are a really lucky bunch. With new restaurants sprouting up ever so often, we can safely say that the F&B scene in Singapore is a very vibrant and exciting one. Vita Italiana is a new Italian restaurant located along Mosque Street and is barely 6 months old. We were hosted by Chef Jeremy, one of the co-owners who has an impressive 15 years of invaluable experience working in the kitchens at Tower Club, Da Paolo, Bel Mondo, etc. He had even operated a “chap chye png’ stall alongside his wife in a primary school!

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Vita Italiana is a small and cosy restaurant which seats about 35 to 40 comfortably. Definitely a nice place for that first date or anniversary celebration!

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We had some homemade bread with pesto while waiting for our food to arrive. The bread was warm and had a nice chewy bite to it.

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True to its name, the Cappuccino ai Porcini ($12) arrived looking exactly like a cup of cappuccino. Four types of mushroom were used in addition to truffle foam. Dusted with a pinch of cocoa powder, this mushroom soup tasted hearty and had a wonderfully rich earthy taste. You know what they say – best for a cold, rainy day!

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We tried two types of pizza, the Carbonara ($22) and Bismarck ($24). According to Chef Jeremy, due to certain constraints, Vita Italiana does not use a wood fire oven for their pizza but I don’t see any problem with that as the pizza was very fluffy and crisp around the edges. Interestingly, beer is used make the pizza dough which results in a hint of fragrance and flavor in the pizza.

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We tackled the carbonara pizza first, which consisted of roasted garlic cream, mozzarella, bacon, egg, onion marmalade and parmigiano. The flavors worked harmoniously well together that we found ourselves licking our fingers clean. The Bismarck ($24) pizza was also a winner, with balanced notes of sweet, sour and savory. We absolutely loved the soft egg in the middle and we even used the slices of pizza to soak up as much egg yolk as possible.

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We don’t usually order ravioli but Vita Italiana’s Ravioli al Granchio ($26) homemade ravioli certainly left a lasting impression on us. The vodka tomato cream sauce was very rich and had a sharp, bright flavor which screams delicious!

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The pieces of ravioli were al dente and such a joy biting into. We were also very impressed by how generously stuffed the pieces of ravioli were, with fresh crabmeat and thyme. It was a brilliant idea to include thyme as it adds a subtle aroma to the overall dish and has a slightly minty flavor to balance out the heaviness of the vodka tomato cream sauce. This is definitely a very well-executed dish!

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Upon learning from Chef Jeremy that the Maiale al Forno ($28) involves a very arduous cooking process, we just had to appreciate this dish even more. One of the steps involves the sous vide cooking method, which allows the flavor to be locked in and its essence is amplified as the pork is cooked in its own natural juices. The pork crackling was perfectly crispy and the meat-to-fat ratio was an optimal one. It also helped that some orange juice had been drizzled over the pork for that slightly zesty flavor.

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I have a sweet tooth but sometimes, I just prefer my desserts to be not so sweet. Vita Italiana’s Tiramisu di Vita ($12) isn’t ridiculously sweet and also scored in more ways than one. The cake was moist and spongy, while the delicious creamy taste was simply unforgettable!

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Just when we thought we didn’t have room for any more food, the Tortino di cioccolato con cuore fondente ($12) had a surprise element which we could not resist. The chocolate lava cake had a Gorgonzola centre filling which made the overall taste so much more interesting! Who would have thought that blue cheese and chocolate could go so well together! Chef Jeremy told us that it was actually an accidental invention in the kitchen! If you are not a fan of blue cheese, there is also a peanut butter option.

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Chef Jeremy recommended this Ciu Ciu Tebaldo Marche Bianco IGT, Italy wine which was a great pairing for most of the dishes we tried. This wine is not readily available elsewhere, so be sure to try it when you are at Vita Italiana!

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Vita Italiana is also selling a wide range of top quality Italian Christmas Cakes, Panettone and Pandoro. If you are looking for something for your Christmas party, do check out the selection here!

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The husband and I had a wonderful dining experience at Vita Italiana. The food certainly surpassed our expectations and we highly recommend Vita Italiana to all our readers and friends. We can’t wait to revisit this fabulous restaurant! Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy, @misterchewy and @little_miss_chewy 🙂

Vita Italiana
38 Mosque Street
Tel: 6220 0093

Opening Hours:
Sun to Thu and PH
12pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH
12pm – 10.30pm

Ristorante PepeNero: Simply Italian, Simply the Best

Tasting Invite

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Pepenero, meaning black pepper in Italian, refers to the world’s most popular and commonly used spice. As for Ristorante PepeNero, it is a semi-fine dining Italian restaurant located in the CBD area of Singapore that offers a dining experience that excites the senses. I was invited by one of PepeNero’s co-owner, Amy Sim, to try some of the dishes and went there on a Saturday night. This photo was taken after our dinner, which explains the unoccupied tables but it was surprising that the restaurant was almost full on a weekend despite its location. Amy told us that PepeNero is usually very packed on weekdays, both during lunch and dinner. As for the food, they strive to bring freshness and purity to their menu and almost all their quality ingredients are imported fresh. The ambience is relaxed which makes it a perfect place for business meetings, family gatherings, birthday celebrations or that special date.

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We had a bottle of Prosecco to keep us happy throughout our dinner 😛 I’m not sure how many types are there in the market, probably plenty, but this was really smooth and a little sweet which was easy to drink. Chef Donato planned a degustation menu for us, after making a mental note that we do not eat beef. A degustation menu at PepeNero usually costs between $100 -$120 depending on the number of courses and seasonal ingredients incorporated.

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We kicked things off by sampling 3 types of Antipasti dishes, which are normally served individually in a larger portion. I will introduce the dishes from left to right because the photos are arranged as such, even though we started with the lightest tasting dish.

I’m a huge fan of parma ham and the Buffalo Mozzarella from Puglia Cheese with “Pachino” Tomatoes and Parma Ham ($29) certainly exceeded my expectations. The thinly sliced parma ham, when paired with the buffalo mozzarella, was excellent. It was seductively savory enough to whet our appetites. We also had the Deep Fried Seafood “Frittura” with Jumbo Prawn, Calamari, Soft Shell Crab, Wasabi Mayonnaise and Tartar ($24) which was thankfully not overwhelmingly hot enough to make our eyes tear. If you would prefer a light tasting starter, I strongly recommend the Tuna and Swordfish Carpaccio with Orange Salad, Marinated in Sicilian Citrus Dressing ($24) which tasted really refreshing and would not fill you up that quickly if you are planning to try more dishes.

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I didn’t manage to find the Pumpkin Soup with Pork Cotechino ($19) in the menu but I reckon that it will be well-received. What is a cotechino, you may wonder. It is a type of cured meat, similar to salami. The fresh sausage is made pork and fat, with pig skin that is ground in with the meat. The sausage had also been heavily spiced, so you can imagine a myraid of delicious flavors – sweet, savory and spicy, all in one dish.

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Not surprisingly, PepeNero’s pastas are all made in-house. Both misterchewy and I were full of praises for the Pappardelle Pasta with Slow Cooked Pork Ribs Ragù and Pecorino Cheese ($24) as we savored every mouthful. The pasta was cooked al dente and the pork ribs ragù was extremely tender, and not forgetting, flavorful. This dish was truly exemplary.

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There’s something sexy about showing off one’s black stained teeth, but that’s only if you are having PepeNero’s Home made Black Squid Ink Risotto with Calamari and Pan-Seared Scallop ($29). This was another dish that we fell in love with. The rice grains are plump and sticky, which managed to absorb the rich flavors from the squid ink and parmesan cheese. The pan-seared scallop was done just right, but then again, the risotto on its own was really good enough.

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I used to proudly profess my love for fatty pork belly and that I have absolutely no qualms about eating its fats. However, this Oven Baked Pork Belly with Au Jus, Eggplant Involtini and New Baby Potatoes ($30) made me eat my words. This pork belly had been cooked for many hours and had a huge layer of soft white fats which I slowly found hard to finish. The skin was also akin to that of cuttlefish, which was difficult to chew. On the other hand, the eggplant involtini, layered with tomatoes and cheese, was pretty brilliant.

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The Pan Seared Tuna Goulash with Grilled Leeks and Crustacean Reduction ($30) fell short of our expectations as we were deceived into thinking that it would be delicate and succulent since it was pan-seared. It turned out to be quite hard and dry, and the accompanying sauce failed to salvage it.

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Here’s a cross-section of the tuna, shot by misterchewy. We are still puzzled as to why the meat was so tough.

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After so many courses, it was finally time for some Italian desserts! The Cream Caramel with Almond Biscotti ($11) had a smooth, silky consistency while taste-wise, it was rich and creamy. I also liked the fact that it tasted a little eggy.

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I was happy to spot vanilla bean specks on our Cream Pudding “Pannacotta” with Fresh Strawberry and Forest Berry Compote ($12). This was more refreshing than the cream caramel. If I had to pick a favorite out of the two, I would pick both 😛

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Not sure where to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Now you do! PepeNero has already planned its Valentine’s Day dinner menu! 😉

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Here’s a shot with Amy, Chef Donato and PepeNero’s restaurant manager. Thank you for the invitation and warm hospitality!

Connect with us at www.facebook.com/missuschewy 🙂

Ristorante PepeNero
14 Stanley Street
Singapore 068733
Tel: 6222 5808
Email: info@pepenero.sg

Opening Hours
Mon to Fri
12pm – 2.30pm (Lunch)
Mon to Sat
6.30pm -11pm (Dinner)
Bar Hours: 12pm – 12 midnight
(Closed on Sundays)

Pietro Ristorante Italiano: Creative Fusion Italian Cuisine by Celebrity Chef Peter Neo

Pietro

The official launch of semi fine dining Italian restaurant Pietro Ristorante Italiano has recently been announced by celebrity chef Peter Neo. If you are wondering what ‘Pietro’ means, it is Italian for ‘Peter’! Well-known for his superb culinary skills, witty and innovative creations for fusion Italian food, Chef Peter Neo is widely sought after for food demonstrations, interviews for events, radio and TV programmes. I met Chef Peter for myself and clearly, creativity is the key to his success as he demonstrates quick wit and innovation in creating new dishes, blending European tastes with local preferences that are surprisingly palatable.

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Pietro Ristorante Italiano is located along 12 Jalan Kelulut off Yio Chu Kang Road. No doubt it is slightly off the beaten track but at least Pietro offers valet parking to customers who drive. Definitely a very nice place to unwind and chill after work or during the weekend, over a glass of wine!

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Featuring a total seating capacity of 88 seats, Pietro has an alfresco dining for 32 pax and indoor seating for 56 pax. Pietro has a luxurious touch to its interior decor as well, with a beautiful feature wall (more photos at the end of this post) that blends into the alfresco dining area and it really made me want to fly to Europe there and then!

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Pietro uses only the freshest, top quality ingredients and original homemade sauces in their dishes. The open area around the Pietro red wood fired oven allows customers to witness how their pizzas are being made by the chefs!

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It was a delight to start our dinner with the Prosciutto & Melone ($18). Paper thin, pinkish red Parma ham wrapped with rock melon proved to be a refreshing starter. The intense and lightly salty taste of the parma ham was masked to a good extent by the sweet rock melon slices.

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I strongly recommend the Zuppa di Mare ($12) which was a very flavorful and full-bodied seafood soup concocted with prawn, clams, mussels, squids in tomato sauce, white wine, basil leaves and chilli. Had to resist the urge to lick the bowl clean! True story.

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The Funghi Portobello ($20) was baked with crabmeat, ebiko and prawn. Tasted absolutely brilliant when dressed up with the rich and creamy gorgonzola sauce!

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If i had to point out one dish that failed to impress me, it had to be the Gnocchi alla Marinara ($22). Ok honestly, I’m not sure what exactly makes up a perfect gnocchi in terms of texture but I found it quite mushy instead of being chewy. The marinara sauce was perfect though.

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Chef Peter’s roasted pork belly was one of the most highly sought after dishes at his former restaurants and I was really looking forward to his Pancetta Arrosto ($26). The roasted pork belly was served with porcini, kidney beans and apple sauce. Chef Peter was able to create a magnificent roasted pork belly that was remarkably tender on the inside and crispy on the outside because the pork was steamed before it was roasted. The tangy apple sauce served at the side was made from scratch and was indeed a wonderful accompaniment for the roasted pork belly.

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I bet misterchewy’s favorite dish for the night was the Costolette di Agnello ($42). The Australian lamb rack in gorgonzola sauce was grilled to perfection and it was fall off the bone tender. We couldn’t fault this one!

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After tasting Chef Peter’s Spaghetti alle Vongole ($18), I must say that he has certainly raised the bar for what seems to be the perfect Vongole. The pasta was al dente and the Vongole sauce had a beautiful creamy texture even without the addition of cream and also had the rich flavors of the sea.

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Surely, a pizza named after Chef Peter had to be at least good, if not fantastic. The Pizza Pietro ($26) was topped with Chef Peter’s homemade pork sausage which had a nice hint of herbs and spices. I love a chewy pizza base and its crust was crispy with some parts slighly chewy due to the presence of air bubbles in the crust.

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Chef Peter has a secret method for these Calamari Fritti ($18). The squid body rings were lightly coated with homemade batter and deep fried to a beautiful golden crisp, while retaining a slight chewy texture within.

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Even though we were pretty full by then, we couldn’t wait to try the desserts!

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We thought we were too full and could only stomach a mouthful or two of the Tortino di Lava con Rum ($15) but it appeared otherwise. The warm luxurious molten chocolate lava with rum was simply exquisite beyond words!

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Newly released in Pietro’s menu, the Tortino alla Frutta ($14.80) is a slight variation from the chocolate lava with rum. Deliciously sweet and tart frutti lava made this an amazing dessert as well!

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Seems like this oozing molten phenomenon is a consistency at Pietro. Thumbs up!

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Chef Peter was eager to let us try his Tiramisu ($12) even though we had raised the white flag. It was moist and slightly spongy soft, so I suppose it had the right amount of coffee liquer in it. The mascarpone was surprisingly light and creamy. There was one thing for sure though, the tiramisu was a little too bitter than what I would have liked it to be.

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And this is the beautiful feature wall at the alfresco dining area! It was kinda cold indoors, so my lens fogged almost instantly. So here’s a tip, take all the photos you want first!

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Pietro is offering a very sweet deal! There is a 1-for-1 promotion for lunch from 11.30 am to 2.30pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays. Be sure to drop by!

Thank you AT Marketing Consultancy and Chef Peter for the invitation and for hosting us.

Pietro Ristorante Italiano
12 Jalan Kelulut
Singapore 809030
Tel: 6484 5528

Opening Hours:
11.30am – 2.30pm (Lunch)
6pm – 11pm (Dinner) Close on Mondays temporary till further notice (except public holidays and eve of public holidays, close on the day after public holiday).