mayyn meal - La Barca

I have been craving for pasta so bad. And especially at this amazing Italian restaurant in Singapore. My family has been frequenting this joint for quite awhile now and I only been able to join them for the first time recently.

"Located just off Fort Road and Mountbatten Road on the East Coast, La Barca Ristorante & Wine Bar is nestled within the Goodman Arts Centre at 90 Goodman Road. Once in the Arts Centre, follow the restaurant signs to “Block C,” close to the Amphitheater."

The place is very quiet and nicely lit, using the word nestled was so accurate. when I went, it was alot of kids running around, family gatherings and friends catchup.

I really like the intimate settings. It is also quite a big space with many tables inside as well as outdoor settings.

Cute.

The head chef is from the Tuscany region and thus, the food is heavily influenced by the amazing Italian cities of Florence and Siena. This place is famous for their Florentine Steak. Huge portions though!

Complimentary soup before we start dinner. A fish soup for that evening...

I needed to order that because well, I missed it. Cold cuts are definitely the one thing I am very in love with. This plate from La Barca has of course very generous helping. But the bruschetta were too bland and soft.

Hand cut potato wedges with rosemary and thyme. Piping hot and crunchy on the outside.

The breaded grilled prawns were quite alright but I wouldnt have ordered it given the many other yummy options. And besides, I really wanted Italian food.

The lamb ragout pici - pasta cooked to perfection, smells and tastes like Italy. something I sorely missed and am glad to have finally found outside of my favourite country in the world. I mean it when I say perfect Italian version because it is al dente and nothing like what most Singaporeans are accustomed to.

Amazing cheesy and truffle ravioli, very soft and tender pasta skin and the cheese baked to just right kind of pull.

We also ordered the hand-pulled pork version of ragout pici. Very similar I should say in terms of flavour but the pork one was softer and more minced.

Very filling dinner and so fulfilled and satisfied after it. But nothing is complete without dessert...

The restaurant also offered complimentary petit fours at every table. I am loving this amazing service!

Very sweet semifreddo. And each flavour was distinctive in each bite.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

And I got the warm chocolate tart which came as described and amazing. Its not too chocolatey and the tart is crumbly with a soft middle. Perfect end.

I was so stuffed by the end of it and loved chatting to the head chef at the end of it. And I really meant it when I said everything was good and the pasta was perfect. 

Definitely a must go, and daddy has to be prepared to be taking me there more often now. 

M's Food Find #74

This little place is tucked away somewhere in Singapore and I really dont think is very accessible unless u cab or drive. or prepared to walk a bit. Address as shown below...

Stumbled across it one afternoon and finally went back for dinner another night. It had smelt heavenly so I need to know if the tastes are as good...

Their pastas are handmade and I like how I can choose what kind I want and what sauces I want. Its like create your own dish. But the menu also have their own combinations.

This is the pumpkin ravioli. Quite sweet and the pasta skin tender and soft. 

Closest thing to a carbonara. But it's a self-picked combi of spaghetti and the ham mushroom cream sauce.

A pizza to share. Not bad, quite tasty and homemade.

Self-picked combi of alio oglio and spaghetti, with added mushrooms.

Mushroom risotto - good flavour but quite ordinary. Abit too mushy for me.

                                                 

self-picked combi of angel hair pasta and basil pesto. The pasta was over-cooked and too much sauce, like drowning the pasta. But the sauce was pretty yummy and flavourful. That kinda saved the dish for me. Its simple and good. Just not authentic.

A wholegrain pasta dish - healthy and vegetarian friendly. Found it a wee bit bland.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

Overall, the prices were very reasonable. About $15 per head. Portions were reasonable. Quality is not bad really. Quite good. But having been exposed to the real deal, this isn't cooked as authentic as the Italians do it. But I know, its catered to the tastes of the everyday Asians' tastebuds.

Give it a try, I would. And I know I will return. (when I get a car).

M's Food Find #65 update (Modo Mio)

Back at Modo Mio for my second and third time after my first in July. It brings me much happiness to announce that the food and experiences have been so much better than the first time. They got a fan in me now and I would not hesitate to return whenever.

This is the prawn linguine which is just divine. Their pasta is cooked to perfection, al dente. The prawns fresh and the asparagus very nice and fine. The pasta base is also very refreshing. Perfect for spring/summer.

This is their chicken green fusili which is also really quite nice but a little too dry for my liking.

I had their zuccoto as dessert on my second time round which is a layered sponge cake. Nothing amazing but nice to cap off my lunch with it. I wasnt impressed with their tiramisu and poached pear my first time round. This is much better.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

This is the bread served to me on my second time there where there was still the two course/three course special going on. On my third time there which falls in November, the lunch menu no longer included the special. I really preferred this bread to the first time's one. Nice crusty and goes too well with the balsamic vinegar and pink salt.

Till my next food find, Mayy xo

M's Food Find #65

FOOD FOOD FOOD. I can't live without it yet I wish I could. But thankfully I can't so I can enjoy all these yummy ones. The recent family visit here in Perth was quite the culinary feast especially with all the new restaurants opening up. Can't wait for Nobu opening in September! All the new interests and openings just make me love Burswood more than I already do.

This food find is on one of the newest restaurants in Perth Burswood Entertainment Complex. Modo Mio serves up Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. My family and I visited for lunch on their last day here and photos will take you through our journey.



It replaces the old Victoria Station restaurant.

Waiting area just behind those doors. Yes, they have queues so make your booking to avoid disappointments!

Or sit at the bar with a drink before dinner...

Chef's kitchen, well you can watch them make pizza and such! Love this particular open concept even if it is a little far from some tables. Wish it could be a little more interactive so to speak. But more on pizza...

Sorry, it is a little blurry. But that's the whole seating area. Pretty big and spacious with the bright/light colours and lighting. Very different from the Victoria Station dim mood.

Our table. Sure it is alittle casual compared to the rest in Burswood but it does give patrons more options and choices. I like the idea that it is not as stuffy and stiff.

Spot the woodfire pizza stove from afar!

A cute mini lamp that was on the tables. SO COOL, it runs on rechargeable stations. Dad was super fascinated with it, truth be told, I was too. I wanted one so bad! Sadly, they don't sell it in Perth. Sis actually took a series of photos of Dad and I playing with it and just fiddling with it. HA HA HA.

Lunch menu, still quite a few choices there and good ones too.

Nice clean setting. I don't know why I am always so fascinated with settings and the cutlery. Guess it shows alot about the effort and details the management takes into consideration.

Yummy bread, albeit a little too tough on the crust. I love how the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and rocksalt is presented. Tear-drop shaped. So pretty. Dad and I also played with this one, tilting it enough so the olive oil flows or vice versa into each part without overflowing out of the saucers.

Dad ordered this for entree, the cold cuts. We ordered one of the 3course set and 2 of the 2course sets.

The fettucine dish with such a wonderous tang of tomato. Vegetarian dish but so satisfying. This had the whole family digging into it. Even Mum who shunned tomato paste stuff. Very light and refreshing for a pasta dish. Good choice!

Prosciutto risotto. Obviously, my order. Love the clean presentation but unfortunately, the taste...too salty for my liking. The risotto is actually cooked through perfectly, with bite and softness. Just that the ingredients and flavours don't seem to dance on my tastebuds.


PIZZA! Alittle unexciting looking, and it really do taste like it looks. The prosciutto and rocketleaf pizza is a very unforgiving pizza in my opinion. It is so simple and really differentiates the good and bad pizza bases etc. Here, the pizza base and crust were too tough and very bland. The tomato/cheese base a little too bland... Let's not go on here.

After main courses, desserts are a MUST. In italian restaurants, tiramisu is my favourite go to dessert but I am also usually attracted to unique ones too. Nevertheless, let's talk about this tiramisu. Not the best Ive had but it will do and finishes the courses quite well. Nothing to shout about, nothing to crave about. Just...nice.

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

The poached pear with vanilla bean panna cotta. Very sour pear from the poached juice. And the panna cotta probably had too much gelatin in it... For those who don't have too sweet tooth, and still would like a dessert. Cleanses the palate well. But I would go for the tiramisu here if given the choice.

Overall, the service was alright, better than average but not good enough to praise heaps on. The food and prices and ambience matched well in my opinion. No big discrepancies and grievances here. Worth a visit but whether it warrants a second one is up to you. Unfortunately, not for me.

Till my next food find, Mayy xo