Pietrasanta @ Portsdown Road
IT was back in town for a visit so FW and I met her for dinner at Pietrasanta. FW had picked this place as she was in the mood to try out a new place. The restaurant was named after a medieval town on the coast of northern Tuscany, Italy.
The restaurant has an interesting concept in that there isn't a wine list. Guests can go into the cellar (a small room located within the main dining hall), pick a bottle of wine (each bottle has a paper price tag tied around its neck), the staff will take the bottle from you in the room, then you return to your table and wait for it to be served.
We got off to a bad start as our bottle of Prosecco Rose Santome (S$70) took close to half an hour to arrive. Our bread basket arrived cold without any saucers for us to pour the olive oil and balsamic vinegar into. I had to go to the counter to ask for some saucers. The service here is very slow and the staff are not trained. It was a test of patience to try to explain what we wanted to some of them.
Thinly Sliced Beef Tenderloin with Rucola & Shaved Parmesan
with Lemon & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing
We shared everything as we love to try different things. Our first starter of Beef Carpaccio was excellent! The thin slices of beef were refreshingly dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. The topping of Rucola (aka Arugula or Rocket) and shaved Parmesan cheese went very well with the beef. This is definitely a MUST-TRY!
Insalata Delliorto @ S$9.00
Mixed Greens with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Carrots & Onions
Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci con Burro e Salvia @ S$17.90
Home Made Ravioli filled with Spinach & Ricotta Cheese,
served with Butter & Sage
Italian Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms
Considering that we had lined our tummies sufficiently with butter and consumed enough carb to absorb the alcohol, we figured that it was time to move on to a bottle of red. The Italian guy who runs the place (forgot his name) is really sweet as he was on hand to give recommendations. We told him we wanted to try something that wasn't a Chianti and he suggested
the Ripasso 05 @ S$100. I didn't take pictures of the wine as I was too busy drinking it but it had a nice blackcurrant-like and almost-chocolatey flavour to it...then again, what do I know about wines? I just know "like" and "don't like". I like this bottle of wine. :) *hic!*
Whilst the service officially sucked, the food more than made up for it and the dishes were inexpensively priced. This place is worth revisiting...as in addition to the good food, the casual and relaxed ambience was conducive to a night of dining, drinking and catching up with friends.
I hope the service improves as the disorganized and sluggish manner in which they operate can be infuriating. Till that day arrives, bring a gallon of "patience" with you when you dine here.
Pietrasanta
5B Portsdown Road,
#01-03 Wessex Estate,
Singapore 139311
Tel: +65 6479-9521
Operating Hours:
Daily: 12noon - 2.30pm & 6.00pm - 10.30pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)