1 Harbourfront Walk #01-165 / 167, Vivocity, Singapore 098585
Tel: 6733 5500
Just in case you are wondering, yes, this IS the famous restauarnt by Jamie Oliver himself, right in Singapore itself. Okay, so it has been around for a while, but the crowd-avoiding me refused to visit during periods of long queues and rushed eating slots.
I finally got to eat at Jamie's Italian recently, thanks to the SIL for the suggestion and lovely treat. We made reservations, but were kept waiting for a while at the front / bar area while they checked if we could change to the more romantic alfresco tables with sea view.
In the meantime, we browsed the merchandise and souveinirs on sale - kitchenware, cookbooks, you name it. We were very excited to try the "authentic, fantastic and rustic Italian dishes", using fresh and quality ingredients meticulously sourced around Italy and UK.
We were escorted to an indoor table because the great outdoors were all fully reserved - but they gave us a table by the glass windows. On the way over to our table we passed by the cured meat station, and watched prosciutto and ham hanging from hooks.
We studied the menu for a bit and debated on what to try. It was thoughtful for them to serve 2 different sizes for each pasta dish, and the prices were very reasonable. The initial plan was just a pasta each but when we saw the guy slicing the fresh bread at the station a few tables away, we could not resist but placed order for the Italian Bread Selection (SGD$6.00).
The Italian Bread Selection comprised of homemade rosemary focaccia, Italian grissini, crispy "music bread" and ciabatta, served with Mandranova extra light virgin olive oil and aged balsamic for dips. Yes the breadstick and "music bread" were both cracklingly delicious, and the rest of the bread were bursting with fresh softness, a very lovely start to the meal.
For mains, the SIL went for the Wild Mushroom and Smoked Mozarella Risotto (SGD$16.00 for small). If you are a mushroom lover, this dish would be perfect for you - filled with mushroom goodness; every bite was filled with the crunch of mushrooms and its rich velvety flavour. The acquerello rice grains were to a tautness, retaining the chewy texture.
As for me, I chose the Octopus & Mussel Spaghetti (SGD$16.00 for small) - pasta nero with mussels and baby octopus, chilli and white wine. The pasta was a little on the hard side - I wonder if their pasta here is supposed to be on the more solid side? But I love my pasta this texture - chewy. The gravy was awesome, a touch of spice and full-bodied flavor in the gravy that complemented the fresh seafood items well.
It was truly the art of using simple ingredients to create sumptuous pasta, and we enjoyed every morsel of food here. I would be back to try more, soon!
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