Osteria Mozza
Date nights do not always have to be about chasing the newest restaurant in town. Sometimes, it is simply about slowing down, sharing a good meal and enjoying each other's company.
This time, we returned to Osteria Mozza at Hilton Singapore Orchard and took advantage of the American Express Platinum Table For Two dining programme. The four course menu offers two choices for each course, so naturally we each picked different dishes to maximise the experience and share everything.
The meal began with the Mozza Caprese and Burrata with crispy garlic, chilli, anchovy and fett'unta. The Caprese was exactly what I enjoy in Italian cooking. Fresh, clean and full of flavour, with sweet roasted tomatoes lifted by fragrant basil pesto. The Burrata was a more adventurous combination. Imagine Burrata topped with something that reminded me of Lao Gan Ma. The crunchy garlic and chilli added plenty of texture and spice, although I was not entirely convinced the flavours complemented the creamy cheese.
For pasta, the Tagliatelle with slow cooked beef cheek ragù was the clear winner. Rich, comforting and deeply satisfying, with tender beef coating every strand of fresh pasta. The Rigatoni alla Vodka was enjoyable too, creamy and well balanced, although it lacked that memorable factor.
The grilled Chicken Diavola was juicy with beautifully crisp skin, while the Grilled Iberico Pork was tender, flavourful and cooked just right. Both mains were solid without trying too hard.
Dessert rounded off the evening with house made gelati and the signature Butterscotch Budino. The Budino continues to be one of Osteria Mozza's classics. Smooth, rich and indulgent without being overly sweet. It was the perfect ending to the meal.
Overall, it was a pleasant dinner rather than a spectacular one. Every dish was competently executed, but few truly surprised us. Still, with warm hospitality, a comfortable atmosphere and the joy of sharing every plate, it made for another lovely date night.
