No Menu

No Menu is yet another one of Osvaldo Forlino's F&B concepts. Unlike his other ventures (Forlino, Amarone and the now defunct Osvaldo), No Menu is styled like a family-run trattoria. That being said, while the ambience, service and food are rustic and casual like a trattoria, expect prices that of a ristorante.

Service was invitingly warm and cheerfully upbeat, albeit a smidge inattentive and forgetful (our water glasses were left parched, and we were served an appetizer we didn't order...a slight quickly forgiven because it turned out excellent).

The food was heartily portioned, and bore classical tendencies, much like how an old-school Italian nonna would have whipped up for Sunday dinners. Traditional cuisine aside, the prices didn't quite commensurate with the quality of the food. The food was good, no doubt, but it was just a tad overpriced. Held up against La Strada or Garibaldi where the fare is generally more refined and pricing comparable, No Menu just doesn't seem competitive enough.

No Menu is famed for their Burrata ($60), and the must-order was indeed sublime. This was seriously good stuff. And considering that I don't even like burrata, that's quite the discovery! It was chewy and creamy and clear and luscious in its simplicity. Seasoned lightly with sea salt, freshly milled pepper and a fantastic olive oil, the milky burrata was contrasted with the sweet tang of tomatoes and crisp mesclun greens.

A complimentary platter of crusty bread sided by an intensely aromatic extra virgin olive oil made for wonderful set ups in mopping up the burrata.

A classic Italian appetizer, the Prosciutto e Melone ($30) comprised juicy rock melons, crunchy pears and swathes of silky parma ham ribbons enlivened by a drizzling of piquant balsamic vinegar.

We were also served an amuse bouche, complimentary, of course, of a trio of cherry tomato bruschetta, bursting with piquant sweetness.

A daily special, the Linguine alla Vongole ($48) was brimming with the garlicky sauciness of plump fresh clams and white wine. It may have been a little pricey, but it was worth noting that this was also generously laden with about a gazillion clams.

The homemade Tagliatelle con Funghi Porcini ($31) was swimming in a velvety buttery sauce accented with the earthiness of the porcini mushrooms.

The Risotto con Spinaci e Salame Piccante ($30), risotto with spinach and spicy salami, was al dente, and its subtle spice was countered by the fresh tomato dice, but failed to be outstanding. It was just lacking the extra oomph, in that I could hardly make out any discernible salami past the bits of spiced mince.

We rounded off lunch with complimentary cake paired with creme fraiche and dusted with icing sugar.


No Menu
23 Boon Tat Street
Tel: 6224 0091
Open for weekday lunches from 11.30am to 2pm;
Mondays to Saturdays for dinner from 6.30pm to 11pm;
Closed on Sundays

Comments

Danielle C said…
Looks nice enough but ouch on the prices!!!
Bern said…
yeah, budget abt 70-80 per pax without alcohol. Up that to 120 per pax with alcohol.

Popular posts from this blog

Janggut Laksa vs 328 Katong Laksa, Queensway Shopping Centre

ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Gong Yuan Ma La Tang