I was taken in by the location of this place (501 Bukit Timah Road,#01-05, Cluny Court) which was secluded in the back of the row of shop houses just beside Serene Centre along the junction of Bukit Timah and Adam Road. Funny thing was, there was the huge sign stood just beside the bamboo lined and stone paved walkway. Which was so obvious and I had actually overlooked it before realizing that the innocuous path had actually lead to a shaded sanctuary which was the restaurant.
The starter for lunch was the portobello al forno which were grilled portobello mushroom caps topped with mozzarella cheese, basil and rosemary on some spinach leaves and cherry tomatoes. The mushroom tasted pretty much like how it looked. Was pretty juicy. After having had the magic mushroom from the Original Sin, I found it hard to find better portobellos from anywhere else. I know it's not a very fair comparison here.
Didn't take note of the pasta names but the ingredients pretty much speak for themselves. This duck liver tagliatelle was an outstanding pasta. Well flavoured in the oils of the pan fried liver tossed in cherry tomatoes and sliced mushrooms. The liver wasn't the regular quivery foie gras but it was close and not overcooked. I didn't expect anything less than al dente there for the noodles and it didn't disappoint being firm and of sufficient bite.
This other tagliatelle was tossed in a tomato cream sauce with vodka. Couldn't actually taste any of the liquor in the sauce. I was hoping for a hint of it. That sauce though was rich and flavourful and loaded with minced crab meat. Flavour of that crab was also all over. Definitelysomething that I could return for again.
Don't pass up on tiramisu because it's just so much better than most other places. I'll be lazy here and skip the description because I've already done it previously. Suffice it is to say that the one here is good.
The starter for lunch was the portobello al forno which were grilled portobello mushroom caps topped with mozzarella cheese, basil and rosemary on some spinach leaves and cherry tomatoes. The mushroom tasted pretty much like how it looked. Was pretty juicy. After having had the magic mushroom from the Original Sin, I found it hard to find better portobellos from anywhere else. I know it's not a very fair comparison here.
Didn't take note of the pasta names but the ingredients pretty much speak for themselves. This duck liver tagliatelle was an outstanding pasta. Well flavoured in the oils of the pan fried liver tossed in cherry tomatoes and sliced mushrooms. The liver wasn't the regular quivery foie gras but it was close and not overcooked. I didn't expect anything less than al dente there for the noodles and it didn't disappoint being firm and of sufficient bite.
This other tagliatelle was tossed in a tomato cream sauce with vodka. Couldn't actually taste any of the liquor in the sauce. I was hoping for a hint of it. That sauce though was rich and flavourful and loaded with minced crab meat. Flavour of that crab was also all over. Definitelysomething that I could return for again.
Don't pass up on tiramisu because it's just so much better than most other places. I'll be lazy here and skip the description because I've already done it previously. Suffice it is to say that the one here is good.
"This other tagliatelle comes tossed in a tomato cream sauce with vodka, and not to any surprise, I couldn't actually taste any of the liquor in the sauce. I was actually hoping for a noticeable hint of it."
ReplyDeletePenne (tagliatelle in this case) al la vodka is the classic name for this dish.. Try cooking vodka off, you won't get any taste fro it because Vodka has no taste. Hence the introduction of flavoured Vodkas..
I think vodka will (at most) provide a certain scent, but not taste. Moreover, tomato-based sauce is always an overempowering sauce. Love the idea, though.
ReplyDeleteI think I was expecting the hint of alcohol rather than the taste of vodka specifically. I always felt that since it was used in the cooking process, there should be something residual about it's flavor left on the dish.
ReplyDeleteWell, the best Al la voda dish i ever had is from a diner here in Toronto.. tried it in fancy italian restaurants but no one beats his !! a nice huge plate for $9 !
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