Memorable and tasty pasta dishes are a dime in a dozen in Singapore. Save for a couple of usual suspects, we'd haven't encountered a restaurant that serves pasta without resorting the use of exotic sauces to be distinctive (including chilli crab and salted egg-based blends). Fancy, yes. But the focus should be on the pasta's foundation—dough and sauce—instead.
The Space
Bells and whistles are unnecessary at Pasta Bar. Here, Genova-born Executive Chef Alessandro Giustetti delivers the quintessential Italian staple at its purest form. Doughs from all eleven different pasta dishes on the menu are handmade fresh daily in-house—each prepared in a unique way to create distinctive variations in bite, shape and consistency.
Unlike other establishments that favours convenience, the chefs at dinner-only Pasta Bar showcase authentic Italian culinary techniques over the 18-seater open kitchen bar-counter in addition to private tables for up to 16 more diners. Also, spot the dried pasta doughs hanging above your counter seat? That's an indication on savouring the real deal.
Must-try
Relishing Italian cuisine without any canapés and antipasti is an atrocity (although the mafia wouldn't commit this crime). Start with Arrosticini. The fragrant and juicy grilled lamb skewers with Abruzzo origins are served from a terracotta pot alongside rosemary-infused olive oil. Next, spike your hunger with Veal Tongue. No sloppy osculation involved, as piquant pickled vegetables and salsa verde entice the taste buds instead.
Dolce devotees, save your stomach for Sicilian Cannolo—a huge red-wine laced pastry contains tannins which act as a suitable contrast to the rich sheep's milk ricotta.
Lastly, make merry with the faultless Truffle Old Fashioned. It'll be tough to stop at one with the usage of truffle-infused scotch, porter syrup, and a shaved truffle(!).
The Star
It's a toss-up between Tortelli and Lagane. The former contains stuffed pumpkin and sage puree with a hint of nutty flavour from amaretti that melts in the mouth upon decimation. As for Lagane, all it takes is some spicy garlic and chilli to satiate an appetite. This rustic, eggless rendition of pasta hailing from the Southern Italian regions is one of the oldest pasta recipes ever known. All thanks to Chef Alessandro's Mama and Grandma.
How we feel about it in a gif
Pasta Bar is located at 55 Keong Saik, Unit 01-05, Singapore 089158
