Pasta Brava @ Craig Road

Pasta Brava has been a hit and  miss to try over the years, particularly so when so many other italian eateries have found their way on their map and reviews from friends have been mediocre. Chance has it that we would make it there for dinner so randomly out of convenience.



interior

The place feels like home, someone's living room and a blast away from Singapore.

chalk

It could be the chalk they hand out to doodle on the paper mats or the decor or the hustle and bustle in the restaurant, I just cannot pinpoint what.

bread

Complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the bread was much like kopitiam baguette but the hunger pangs made them seem really delicious.

mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms sauteed with olive oil, garlic and parsley ($16)

This looked like a pile of squid-ink infused dish in all its darkness. Surprisingly not over empoweringly earthy but a gentle hint of it and incredibly juicy! Double loves for this!

spaghetti

Spaghetti with crayfish, garlic, herbs and tomato sauce served in parchment paper ($23)

People have said the flavours are locked in because of the parchment paper and though it did not appear in a bag but a neatly pressed parchment paper, the flavours were bombastically executed. Spaghetti done so well, the noodles were hardly soggy towards the last oodles. Seafood without any of the fishyness and tomato sauce that was too sour, loved it! 

tiger prawns

Oven glazed king prawns with proscuitto and mozzarella, flavoured with white wine ($29)

Two large prawns adorned the plate and it was already served at wow. Superbly fresh friends from the sea coated with proscuitto and mozzarella - mamma mia kind of delicious!

beef

Pan-fried beef tenderloin flavoured with white wine, green peppercorn and gorgonzola cheese ($31)

Two slices of decent thickness. Done medium yet it was a tad tough but the sauce more than made up for it - gorgonzola cheese, wine and green peppercorn. Sold! Hardly a stinking punch like cheese but it was creamy and rich. It was so good, I had more bread to soak up the juices.

panna cotta

Panna Cotta ($10)

In the running for best panna cotta had it not been for the inconsistent thickness in the pudding and sudden jolt of sweetness from the syrup at the bottom.

apple pie

Italian version apple pie with mascapone cheese, served with vanilla icecream ($10.50)

Apple pies confuse me. Every other country tries to lay their claim on apple pie and in moments like these, I wonder where did apple pie originate from. I love those that Marche that are on-and-off their menu. The Italian's take on it is generous on the batter, stingy with the apples. It was more of a apple cake with icecream.

Cappucino ($5)

What better way than to end the meal off with coffee?

An above average kind of visit that sprung more surprises than expected. Really reasonably priced italian fare, will be back!

Pasta Brava
11 Craig Road

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