Sappore Italiano @ Raffles City

The sign that stops you in the tracks and gets you tempted.



Sappore Italiano's a new kid on the block at Raffles City offering Italian food. Their Happy Hour (6-8pm) specials are gaining popularity with word of mouth and media highlights done; with any order of an Apertivo grants you access to a buffet of Italian Street Eats. The alcoholic in me has to heartily agree the deal is a steal! (Pardon the pun, no glasses were broken in the writing of this entry neither was I tipsy)

When I arrived the place was nearly half full with like-minded people.



Somewhat tattered menus





Rossini ($17)
Strawberry Juice, Sparkling Wine

Sweet and fizzy, totally a ladies drink.

Caiprinha ($16)
Brazilian national drink with cane sugar, mint leaves and lime.

Heatlounge at Royal Scotts does the meanest Caiprinha and putting that as a benchmark, Sappore Italiano's pales. Alcoholic drinks are all about proportions, like cooking in fact. I've not quite tasted two same drinks and was equally impressed, I'm sure there's some tweaking that goes behind the scenes or the way the cocktail was mixed or tossed or...well, in short, the caiprinha was at first sip too bitter but got better along the way, and ended up tasting nice but lacking the pizazz of Heatlounge's version.



Doesn't quite seem bite-sized nor fingerfood..

The range of tapas for the night;

Olives

Not a fan but it got me wishing for a classic martini.

Foccacia

Rough to taste, would have adored it if olive oil and balsamic vinegar were provided.

Roasted Potato Wedges
Roasted Mushrooms with Vinegar
Grilled Zucchini with Chilli Padi
Grilled Eggplant

Well grilled vegetables, simple and collectively it was satisfying.

Boiled Eggs with Olive Oil and a sprig of green

Did not know boiled eggs could taste so good!

Pizza Magheurita

This is what makes the Happy Hour Special worthwhile. Basic ingredients like cheese, tomato sauce and pizza bread. The pizza's thin crust, crunchy at the sides, chewy towards the center with the well flavoured ingredients was outstanding. When eaten straight out of the oven, it was euphoric. Even when eaten cold, the pizza was not soggy. Delightfully delicious.

Quality of food is decent. No complaints really for a good deal like this though I wish there was meat available.

Does not hurt that the waiters are a good looking bunch! Pardon me for saying that but they pretty much seal the deal when you're tossing up options in your head and spy a cute one beckoning you in. The same logic for Newurbanmale hiring cuties and Hugo Boss with their suave ones. The waiter I dealt with was helpful but clearly unaware of the works of the drinks, he had to seek clarifications. Otherwise, prompt service rendered throughout with plates cleared quick enough.

This preview of their ala carte and gelato's already tempting me to make a return!

Sappore Italiano
Raffles City