Having established for itself a favourable name in Singapore for its wholesome Italian cuisine since its opening in 1994, Al Dente Trattoria continues to draw the crowds by keeping things simple and understated. Owned by the accomplished restaurateur Mr. Anthony Wong, all three outlets of Al Dente has grown from strength to strength. Its flagship restaurant is located at the Esplanade, the premier destination for Art and Music events. Exclusively hosting an open air rooftop dining space that affords unobstructed views over the bay, Al Dente is distinguished with its unabatedly blasé ambience that will charm all its diners' evenings.
The Vibe There is no need to fear about dress codes or appropriate table manners in this restaurant that exudes an easy-going and fuss-free ambience suitable for enjoying a meal with family and friends. For a more intimate night out, head upstairs to the rooftop where you will find yourself in an oasis of candle lights, immaculate table settings and an enjoyable crisp evening breeze that blows from the bay not too far from its horizon.
The Food Helmed by the expertise of Chef Kelvin Loke, who has had culinary stints in the kitchens of Les Amis, Au Jardin and the Raffles Grill, this is one young chef determined to make the reputation of Al Dente shine through its culinary delights.
A refreshing start to a meal at this restaurant should definitely include the delectable Antipasti Sample Platter that showcases a cold selection of lightly peppered salami slices, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, finely sliced parma ham with melon and cold seafood cuts of prawns and mussels on fresh garden greens. This is an excellent choice for those who would appreciate a generous yet light initiation into their Italian experience in Al Dente.
Properly usher yourself into the wholesome Italian affair with the popular Spaghetti Arragosta , a creamy garlic concoction of what else but al dente pasta, tossed abundantly with sweet lobster meat, sliced zucchini and sautéed mushrooms. Although this dish is guaranteed to please all who love cream-based pastas, the thickness of its sauce could overwhelm those who prefer something lighter on the palate. If you consider yourself very much a cheese person, do make an order of the quadruple cheese Formaggi pizza which is wood-fired in a traditional wood stove oven, giving it its authentic flavour that is hard to emulate with just any ordinary oven. In just one bite, take time to savour the explosion of aromas that the well-melted Italian mozzarella, gorgonzola, emmental & parmesan cheeses afford to your taste buds, with a tinge of basil seasoning to add the finishing touches to this sumptuous pizza.
Bring your meal to a sweet close with a house special tiramisu, with layers of mascarpone intermingling with moist sponge fingers sealed in with all the goodness of the fragrant aromas of coffee & brandy, covered in a sheen of bittersweet chocolate shavings.
The SD Food Advisor's take on Al Dente Trattoria In a food-loving country like Singapore , every restaurant competes hard to offer to the people a little something to suit their whims and fancies, resulting in a dining scene that is immensely vibrant yet saturated. Having been around for 16 years, Al Dente's quality sure speaks for itself. Apart from the excellent culinary standards that it maintains through the years, this restaurant continues to offer up deals that are irresistibly value-for-money. In partnership with many credit card companies like OCBC, American Express, HSBC and Citibank, it is possible to enjoy a meal at Al Dente with discounts up to 50% of the bill. With such affordability, I say thumbs up for this restaurant that keeps its prices reasonable without any compromise on its quality.