Saturday, September 01, 2007

Handsome guys and models at Menotti Italian Restaurant @ Raffles City

I walked past here every morning on my way to work and past here on my way to train station. Come evening time, you will see many extremely good looking executives dining inside or having the $55 set dinner outside. Its very dark . Perhaps so you cannot see that your portion of Lobster Linguine ($25.80) is actually 3 mouthfuls only ...


As usual , i had to search the net to find out more about this dark, hip and beautiful people magnet of a place >>>>>


Since opening in 2004, the Menotti café & bar has been a magnet for the hip and trendy town crowd, and it is not difficult to see why. Located in the prominent at Raffles City Shopping Centre, the restaurant boosts both indoor and outdoor seating, with an ultra chic interior. As part of the Garibaldi group of restaurants, Menotti prides itself in serving fresh, quality and authentic Italian food without burning a hole in the pocket.

The Vibe >>>>>>

The décor of the restaurant is best described as contemporary and minimalist. Menotti's interior, with its warm colours and neat layout is certainly inviting. Simple leather sofas and chairs, paired with solid wood tables against a red and white mural and subtle lighting effects makes it an intimate place for diners to lounge around and have a good meal.



The Food >>>>>>
A good starter would be the Crudo Bruschette ($14) !!!! Compared to my Bruschetta ($4 .50 _ ) at Pasta Mania .... Thin grilled Ciabatta bread is topped with a tomato and onion confit, slices of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. The paper-thin slices of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham are sliced to perfection and the sweetness of the tomato and onion complement the cheese and ham perfectly.
One of Menotti's Signature dishes is the Lobster Linguine ($25.80). Succulent chunks of lobster are found throughout the dish. The tomato sauce that enrobes the pasta is a delightful mix of sweet and slightly spicy, making it a delight to savour as it is not too overwhelming, allowing the dish to retain the lobster's flavour. As with all of its ingredients, the lobster is bought fresh everyday, so diners can be assured that of its freshness and quality.

For those who prefer a lighter meal, the Eggs Menotti ($15) is a good choice. Crispy Ciabatta, crabmeat and spinach are topped with poached eggs and draped with creamy Hollandaise sauce. Typically a dish for breakfast or brunch, Eggs Menotti, as with all the other egg dishes here, is served throughout the day.

One thing that cannot be missed here are the desserts. Menotti serves a wide range of traditional homemade Italian desserts, ranging from the ubiquitous Tiramisu to the traditional Cannoli to the ever-popular Gelato. Chocolate lovers would delight in the Preziosa ($5.50) , which is made from chocolate, chocolate cream and a molten berry centre. While it might sound like a heavy choice for a dessert, it is not. In fact, the cream is light and fluffy, and not too sweet, while the chocolate's tinge of bitterness goes perfectly well with the berries, making it a perfect end to a meal.

For those who prefer something fruitier, try the Limoncino ($5.50) , a pie made of lemon custard and meringue, with an almond pastry crust. The light zesty lemon flavour is sure to whet your appetite for more desserts to come!

The Service >>>>>

The service is quick and attentive, and you can always be sure that your glass of water is never empty. They also make sure that the surroundings are clean and that the tables, which are actually quite small, are free of clutter. That the staff is polite and very well groomed is a plus.


The SD Food Advisor's take on Menotti >>>>>
Menotti is definitely worth a visit, with the yummy food, casual atmosphere and great location. However, as the restaurant does not take reservations for small groups, do be sure to turn up early it can get really crowded during meal times, especially on Fridays and weekends.




5.5 /10
coz there have been many complaints of noise and chatter inside the restaurant that it disrupts the mood of dining .

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