Madrinaa Italiano Pasta

This is a local (read: very local) Italian bistro nearby us in Holland Village. The server spoke Chinese, so that was a sobering start. Here’s the official blurb: Madrinaa Italiano is a popular Italian restaurant located in Singapore. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Italian dishes, from classic Italian favorites to modern interpretations of Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, with a warm and inviting decor. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is always fresh and delicious.

First observations: a rather simple menu featuring basic pastas and antipasti and carne. Limited wine list as well. Bracing for impact, and since it was a neighbourhood meal, we all chose pastas. My family went with all the basics: bolognese, aglio oglio, seafood cacciatore and for me - the humble puttanesca.

The cacciatore. Basically seafood spaghetti wrapped (baked) in paper.

Everything was a 6/10, that’s my view. We thought the pasta was either overly dry (probably left in the pass for a little longer than expected), or too salty - my puttanesca had one too many Italian anchovies in the sauce.

Total damage SGD274 for 4 pastas and a bottle of wine. 6/10 overall but probably a non repeat. Maybe 5.5/10