Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
Back at Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen, this time at their original Craig Road outlet. Having visited both Craig Road and Katong, I am happy to say that the food remains a strong reason to keep returning. There is something about Griglia's approach to Italian cooking, particularly its emphasis on open fire and quality ingredients, that continues to appeal to me.
We started with Cantabrian Anchovies, served on sourdough with smoked butter. A simple combination, but one that works beautifully. The intense saltiness and umami of the anchovies, balanced by the richness of the smoked butter, made these little bites a lovely way to start.
Next came the New Caledonian Prawns with endive. I liked the combination of the prawns with the refreshing citrus and slightly bitter endive, which kept the dish light and lively.
The Hokkaido Scallops with white corn and Amalfi lemon were back on our table. This has always been one of our favourites at Griglia, and I was certainly not going to miss it. The natural sweetness of the scallops, complemented by the corn and bright citrus notes, makes this such an elegant dish. One I would happily order again and again.
For pasta, we had the Pappardelle with Pork Cheek slow cooked in Chianti and Guanciale. A comforting, hearty dish with broad ribbons of pasta coated in a rich sauce. The slow cooked pork cheek brought depth and tenderness, while the guanciale added another layer of savoury richness. Definitely a dish for those who appreciate robust flavours.
Our main was the Half Spanish Turbot, beautifully charred from the grill. Turbot is a fish I particularly enjoy for its firm yet delicate flesh, and cooking it over an open fire brings out another dimension of flavour. A nice alternative to the steaks that often take centre stage at Griglia.
What keeps bringing me back to Griglia is its ability to deliver Italian food that is familiar yet interesting, with thoughtful combinations and confident cooking. No unnecessary theatrics, just good ingredients treated with respect.
