With no shortage of Italian restaurants in Singapore these days, pizza and pasta fans are spoilt for choice. For those not in the mood for the hustle and bustle associated with the city, Ristorante De Parma offers an appropriate alternative – quality Italian fare at prices that don't scare you, in the heartlands. Located in Serangoon Gardens, a suburb popular for its extensive array of eateries, this quaint establishment is perfect for various occasions, from a romantic dinner for two to a birthday treat for Mum.

• The Vibe
  Ristorante De Parma comes across as elegant and refined, yet economical. Subtle shades of brown and beige create the sophistication one would expect in a fine dining restaurant. However, the crinkle of the disposable white paper table covers will bring you right back down to earth, serving as a reminder that this modest restaurant is far from pretentious.

• The Food
  Classically Italian, the menu at Ristorante De Parma is reasonably extensive. Pizzas, pastas, soups and meats are available in abundance, offering diners a multitude of options and rendering return visits a must. Enjoy the fresh focaccia with olive oil, which is baked in-house and certainly whets the appetite. With sun dried tomatoes and herbs, the warm bread provides a fitting start to a meal.

  The Funchi Triffolati al Moda Dello Chef ($12.90) is a mouthful in more ways than one. Beautiful, robust Portobello mushrooms are the centrepiece of this dish, along with grilled bell peppers, sun dried tomatoes and olives. Topped with Ristorante De Parma's house dressing, the combination is lip-smacking. Alternatively, the Insalate Spinache ($14.90), a spinach salad with fresh mushrooms, capsicums and onions is delightfully substantial. Pine nuts give this warm dish a bit of bite.

  Truly worth your while, the Di Pesce alla Provinciale ($8.90) is a slightly spicy tomato-based soup comprising fresh mussels, scallops, prawns and slipper lobster. This generously-portioned soup is likely to make your tastebuds tingle for all the right reasons. The Crema di Funghi ($6.90)- soup made from fresh mushrooms comes across as a little bland, especially when compared to its spicier and more flavourful predecessor.

  Traditionalists should try the Calamari ($13.90). These deep-fried squid rings are crispy on the outside, while their flesh remains tender and sweet. Two different house sauces, one cream and one tomato-based, accompany the liberal serving of squid.

  A popular choice amongst fans of Italian fare, the Prosciutto di Parma con Rucola Pizza ($24.90) is surprisingly average. While the salty parma ham offsets the bitterness of the rocket leaves, the pizza is rather ordinary. Offered as part of a set meal, De Parma's Smoked Salmon Pizza ($24.90 for set) deviates from the norm, its cream-based crust a welcome respite from the customary tomato sauce usually used on pizzas. Topped with onion rings and capers, the thinner, crispier crust certainly makes this pizza taste superb.

  Carnivores will enjoy both the Filetto Di Mento ($32.90) and the Vitello ($34.90). The Filetto , or beef tenderloin, comes cut thick, with a firm pink centre. Served with Portobello mushrooms and other seasonal vegetables, as well as a potato cutlet, the steak, thought somewhat dry, is tasty but could use more red wine sauce. Rolled with prosciutto and smoked cheddar cheese, the Vitello, or veal fillet, is outstanding. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the meat is extremely tender and oozes cheese with every bite, making it worth every penny.

  Close the meal with a slice of Tiramisu ($11.90). Ristorante De Parma's version is above average, albeit a bit frozen on the inside. Though it possesses just the right hint of caffeinated goodness, it could stand a little more rum to give it some oomph.

• The Service
  Though polite, the service at Ristorante De Parma is nothing to rave about. The wait staff try hard, but do not take the initiative to make one's dining experience extraordinary.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Ristorante De Parma
This charming little restaurant manages to hold its own amongst other Italian restaurants by providing an authentic Italian dining experience in terms of both food and ambience. Its location is also a plus, simply because it is nice to get out of the rat race every now and then. It is a pleasant place to visit at least once, if not more.