MamaMama Mia ! The Italian restaurant, PerBacco Singapore @ Craig Road

When I think of Italian food, the first thing that run through my mind was the fame Pizza from Italy. Recently, I had a chance to taste authentic Italian food at the Italian Bar and Restaurant, PerBacco. PerBacco refers to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. 

Thanks to fellow blogger, Elaine and friendly, informative PerBacco's owner, Tony for the invite. In fact, this was not the first visit to this restaurant. When I attended an event last year, Hunt for the Red Lion hosted by The Influencer Network, I had a chance to taste the Italian tapas served. I had a very good impression of the foods. At that moment, I wished I can sit down and try out their various exquisite signature Italian foods and write a review for my blog. The dream came true and here I am, tasting and producing a food review.

The restaurant is divided into two distinct areas. As you enter the premises, you will notice a bar counter with high chairs. Along the big windows area, a row of high tables and chairs. You get to enjoy the quiet road and the passing people. It reminds me of the setting of the European cafe which I have seen on Travel Channel ( unfortunately, I have yet to visit Europe. Waiting for sponsorship. ). The dinning area was partially hidden by the wall of wine crates with custom printed restaurant name, PerBacco. The same wine crates were also present at the front wall of the restaurant. A pretty neat and interesting decoration which also help to bring out the perfect ambience for the dinners. 

Fine foods must come with fine wines. PerBacco has a wide range of  whiskeys, rums, unpasteurised beers, wines and other spirits in addition to the classic cocktails including the Manhattan, Negroni, and Spritz. The cocktails are made with premium spirits and yet affordable.   

Let us not waste any more time and dive into the food review.

The food tasting session was divided into four groups, Antipasti, Pasta, Main Course and finally Dessert. For those who does not know what is Antipasti, it is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. I believe it the Appetizer in English.

Antipasti

Crocchette al Granchio (S$12)

Crab Meat Crocchette with Spicy Tuna Sauce

Starting with this crunchy, full-flavored fresh crab meat in Crocchette ( fried mashed potato, eggs and bread crumbs of Sicilian origin), in bite size which goes well with fine wine. A touch of spicy tuna sauce on top to awake your taste bud sensory. A good start for a good meal. Expectation running high. 

Frittelle Sofficie Involtini al Prosciuttoe Scamorza ( S$18)

Smoked Scamorza Cheese Wrapped with Italian ham and soft Fritters

This looked like a value for money dish with two food varieties on one big platter. A bite into the cheese, rolled with salty Italian ham, creates a complete tasty yet creamy delight. It was simply heavenly. The soft Fritters with it's hollow center, remind me of a local traditional fried empty bun affectionately know as "Butterfly". Yes, the soft Fritters is mild and fragrance. A good choice for an appetizer. 

Strudel di Verdure e Fonduta di Formaggio ($S18)

Grilled Vegetables & Mozzarella Strudel with Cheese Fondue

From the Italian name of this dish, I would already have fallen in love passionately before  I put them into my mouth. This layered pastry bring a new meaning to grilled vegetables ( eggplant ) which affectionately combined with traditional Strudel which were well known in the European food culture. For me, I only tasted  my Apple Strudel before I tasted this ltalian Strudel.  Go for it if you are a Strudel fan. 

Pasta

Linguine alla Carbonara di Astice ( S$28)

Linguine with Lobster and Egg Yolk Cream Sauce

We have now venture into the food territory of Pasta. The under-cooked pasta ( Italian loves their pasta under-cooked ) brings out the texture together with the fine sweetness of the Boston lobster, making this dish my favorite choice. Somehow, with the added Carbonara, make me want to ask for another serving. I controlled myself as there many more dishes to taste and review.

  

Gnocchi di Patata con Coda di Manzo Brasata e Tartufo (S$28)

Potato Gnocchi with Braised Oxtail and Truffle Essence

You should never share this dish with anyone. It will simply disappear in no time. When you first put a spoonful into your mouth, the first thing you felt was the rubbery texture of the Potato Gnocchi. Potato Gnocchi was prepared using floor, egg and potato mixed together and kneaded into a dough. It was then cut into small pieces and fashioned with a folk to make it look round and flat. Together with the melt in your mouth Oxtail and flavorful Truffle essence, this winning combination dish, will be the one dish to look out for when you are at the restaurant. A must try dish. 

Main Course

Dentice al Forno con Gugo di Pomodorini e Burrata ( S$32)

Oven Baked Red Snapper Fillet, Cherry Tomato Sauce and Fresh Burrata

We have finally arrived at the main course. The fish was fresh and fragrance together with sweet cherry tomato sauce and the fresh Burrata ( Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream ), makes this tasty dish, a winner. 

Guanciale di Vitello Brasato al Vino Rosso (S$34)

Braised Veal Cheek in red wine with Cannellini Beans

The Italian Cannellini beans provides a fluffy texture and a slightly nutty, mild flavour to this dish. Together with soft and silky braised veal cheek, a good combination to entice your appetite. At this point of food tasting, I was pretty fill up with food from the last few dishes. 

Dessert 

Cheesecake alla Ricotta e Pesche Sciroppate (S$14)

Rocotta Cheese Tart with Peach Compote

If you love cheese like I do, you will enjoy this dessert. It is not your usual soft cheese tart but it has a slightly harder texture which I loved. With the sweetness of the peach toppings, this cheezy tart is another winner. 

Pannacotta alle Nocciole Caramellate (S$12)

Caramelized Hazelnuts Pannacotta

Very well presented with beautiful tapering bowl. The sweetness of caramel together with the Pannoacotta, will keep dessert lovers very happy. I like the crunchiness of the hazel nuts. 

Food tasting session with bloggers together with Chef Marco Fregnon 

I do enjoyed the food, dinning experience and company of both old and new blogger friends during this food tasting session. Looking forward for more food tasting sessions in 2016. Thank you PerBacco Singapore for hosting this event. 

Contact and Locations

PerBacco

20 Craig Road, 01-03

Singapore 089692

Tel: +65 6635 7130

Website : http://www.perbacco.sg

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/www.perbacco.sg/

Opening hours:

Mondays: 5:30pm - 10pm

Tuesday to Saturday 12pm-2.30 pm 5pm–10pm 

                     

No of seats at bar area: 35
No. of seats at Dining Area: 45

Food Tasting at Café Borsa

Located within the private housing estate and along the Changi Road, Café Borsa does seem like an ordinary café from outside.  It is a small but cosy café.   I was invited to try out their food together with my wife.  

There are only 6 main dishes in the menu but they are passionately created. It is somewhat a fusion of great food. They are serving hot and delicious.  I was surprised that the owner Mr. Chua is not a chef. He told me that cooking is his passion.  A plus point is that Café Borsa only uses roasting, steaming and baking methods to create their mouth-watering dishes. Indeed, everyone taste buds may differ. My wife love their signature dish Borsa Duck Confit while I go for the Baked Chicken Leg. At the same time, we love their healthy Baked Salmon.  Whether it is the duck, the chicken or the salmon, they are roasted, baked to precision.  The use of technology has come to a stage ( I am referring to an oven ) where it become a precision cooking.

The well roasted Mid Wings and potato Wedges dishes did satisfy our taste buds.  I did not try their Chicken meatball pasta as we are quite full. Beside Mr. Chua, the Café crew are accommodating and friendly.  The Café is Halal certified.  Our Muslim friends will be able to enjoy Mr. Chua cooked food.

When you do visit the Café, just remember to try out their Honey Citron.  It is Mr. Chua’s creation.  One final thing worth mentioning is their homemade mashed potato. These mashed potato come as part of the main dishes. If you have eaten mashed potato from KFC or some other restaurants, they are finely mashed, but Café Borsa’s mashes potatoes are quite different.  You feel the tasty texture of the potatoes.

Finally, I believe you will enjoy their company and more importantly, their food creation which evolved from Mr. Chua passion for cooking.  Borsa in Italian means  exchange. Therefore, Café Borsa is a gathering of people exchanging ideas, conversation and not forgetting the great food.

The video I created for Cafe Borsa

The address and contact of Café Borsa.

116 Changi Road, #01-10, Singapore 419718

Open from Monday to Saturday ( 11.30am – 9.00pm )

Tel : 63487688

Email : cafeborsa0110@gmail.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Borsa/616960158449670?fref=ts


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