Al Forno

My friend and I decided to have an Italian lunch around the East Coast area.  We decided to head to Al Forno as she really likes the place and I have not been there in a very long time.

Fortunately, it was a weekday, so we managed to find a parking spot about 200m away.  Otherwise, it's really hard to find a parking area around here.

She ordered the Pescatore but with pasta instead of risotto while I requested to have a Calzone with Bolognese sauce instead.  It wasn't on the menu but they were able to do it, which shouldn't be too hard really.  Anyway, I was happy that they obliged.

We skipped the appetisers as we were not sure if we can finish everything.  When the food arrived, the portions were very decent.  Just say that it would fill up an adult man really well.  The pasta was good.  The tomato was rich and tangy at the same time.  It was tasty and there was a good portion of mussels, squid and prawns.  The seafood was fresh and not overcooked.  My friend who loves her food spicy, added more chilli flakes on it.  For me, it was fine as it is but I put loads of parmesan as I love it that way :)

Spaghetti Pescatore $26

My Calzone looks like a huge Asian curry puff.  It was tasty and there's lots of cheese with the bolognese filling although I would like it even more if they had more beef.  The dough was freshly made and it was really hot when it arrived.  It was flavourful but some parts didn't have any beef in it.  The tomato sauce on it was good too.

Calzone with Bolognese filling ($24)

The staff were polite and the service was good.  There's a smoking table outside but it's on a high chair for those who doesn't mind.  They shut after lunch hours and open again later for dinner.  

Rating:

Spaghetti Pescatore  8/10
Calzone with Bolognese  7/10

400 East Coast Road
Singapore 428996

Tel: +65 6348 8781
Email:
contact@alfornoeastcoast.com.sg

Lunch: 12 pm - 2 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Open daily

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant and Bar

I've always like this restaurant.  My friends and I decided to go there for lunch and I have not been here for quite a while.  It was Restaurant Week when we were there and they had a set menu.  As usual, the staff was very polite and service was good.  We were greeted and our orders were taken promptly.

The first course was a veal tongue salad.  One of my friends did not quite like it as he did not like the texture as he said it was slightly slimy.  My girlfriend and I thought taste wise it was ok but not outstanding.

For the main, I picked the Seafood Soup dish and my friends ordered the duck pasta dish.  One of them thought the pasta was fine while the other one said it was disappointing.  So I had a taste and I must say while it was not bad but it was not exceptional.  It could have been tastier but we all agreed that the texture of the pasta was good.

 

Fortunately, I ordered the Seafood Soup.  It looked good and tasted good.  It had just the right seasoning and the flavours are from the natural juices of the seafood.  With such dishes, it is best to season ligthtly to enhance the natural juices without overpowering the dish, which they did.  So I was rather happy with mine.  The only thing is that the toasts that came with it could be a tad crispier.

My two friends were very happy with their choice of dessert.  Actually, they mentioned it was their best course! Lol!  It was basically a chocolate cake but I could not remember it's fancy name.  It was super tasty without being too sweet.  Even I thought it was good...

I picked the white chocolate dessert.  The outer layer texture reminded me of jelly but once you cut into it, it is soft and creamy.  It's delicious and the fruit pieces in it cuts the richness of the dessert.  The pastry at the bottom adds the necessary crunchiness to this sweet delight.

I somehow feel that the food was not as good as the few previous times I was there.  Perhaps, they were full but I don't see that as a good reason.  Service is always good here.  The staff are helpful and friendly without being intrusive.  I will just go back there one more time to try their food again to confirm whether I should still include Garibaldi as one of my favourite restaurants...  but then again, who cares what I think.. :D

Veal tongue salad:  7/10
Duck pasta dish:  7/10
Seafood Soup: 8.5/10
Chocolate cake: 9/10
White chocolate dessert: 9/10

Service:  9/10

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar

36 Purvis Street #01-02
Singapore 188613
Tel: (65) 6837 1468 Fax: (65) 6337 3770
Email: garibaldi@garibaldi.com.sg