With a crew that hails mostly from Sardinia and the majority of the Singapore restaurant’s ingredients imported from Italy, it’s no surprise that the food is authentically Italian. Even the extensive wine list is nearly exclusively Italian, including 43 reds and whites available by the glass – cheers to that!
The value-for-money three-course set lunch ($38) changes with the availability of seasonal produce – we spotted options like swordfish carpaccio and spaghetti with mussels. But if you’re tempted enough to order from the a la carte menu, then order these:
1. Garnished with fennel leaves, celery and olives, the sous vide tentacles in the Octopus Salad ($28) boasts a remarkably meaty bite, almost like chicken or lean pork, that we love.
2. The Grilled Sardinian Pecorino Cheese ($22) is one of the best things we’ve ever eaten, each bite of the firm, salty cheese tempered with a sweet glaze of chestnut honey and chunks of fresh, juicy figs.
3. Home Made Fresh Ravioli Agnolotti ($35). The silky pockets of pasta stuffed with burrata cheese and black truffle are tremendous on their own, but the chef kicks it up a notch with a rich, flavour-packed veal ragout sauce. Now, we’re afraid we won’t be able to settle for ravioli anywhere else.
Alba 1836 Wine Bar & Restaurant is at 28 Duxton Hill, tel: 6222-2048, www.alba1836.com. Open Mon to Fri, noon-2.30pm; Mon to Sat, 6.30-10pm.