Parco Caffè ~ Makankakis Goes Italian!

It's that time of the month again, and it's Italian this time.

 

Almost every month since last year, I'd join fellow food lovers from the Makansutra forum in their monthly dinner gathering. I will always remember the feeling I felt when I attended my very first Makansutra dinner: The food is served, everyone at the table took out their cameras, everyone started taking photos, everyone is... like me! For once, I don't feel like the alienated one taking photos of the food before I start eating. Well, most of my friends don't behave this way, so you can imagine how happy I was, as I discover this company of makankakis.

Dinner is usually Chinese cuisine and venues can vary anywhere from old-school restaurants to hotel fine-dining. This month, November, is one of the rare month when we have Italian food and Parco Caffè is the place.

Parco Caffè not only serves up classic Italian cuisine, but also authentic Asian favorites as well. For you who like to complete your dining experience with a drink or two, you'd be happy to know that the restaurant is quipped with a full bar and wine selection.

My dining companion, The Hungry Cow, and I made our way to Raeburn Park, where Parco Caffè is situated. The ulu idyllic sounding Raeburn Park turns out to be not a park, but an office block which was once home to Gan Eng Seng Secondary School. Located behind the now defunct Tanjong Pagar railway station, it's just a stone's throw away from the CBD area.

As usual, we were on time, but early. Haha yes, dinner seldom starts on time. Being the usual me, I started camwhoring while waiting for the other makankakis to arrive.

It’s pretty obvious The Hungry Cow doesn’t enjoy the camera as much as I do. Lol.

I also took many shots of the restaurant because it looks so gorgeous and romantic. The set up is reminiscent of a garden with the generous use of foliage, which gives guests the experience of dining amid an al-fresco area without sacrificing the comfort of air-conditioning. Perfect for someone like me who loves outdoor greenery but cannot stand the Singapore heat.

 Finally, the dinner is starting!

The Hungry Cow brought along a bottle of white wine this month cos I prefer to drink white. 

Pizza Parco Caffe

7” inch favourite Parco pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, hoishimeiji mushroom, Parma ham and black truffle spread

This is how I like my pizza to be: Crisply thin crusted with parma ham! The parma ham is not too salty here and goes very nicely with the mushrooms. I can’t really taste the black truffle spread though. I would also love to have some rocket leaves on my pizza, but this is nevertheless enjoyable just the way it is. I polished off 2 slices!

Parco Chilled Cappellini

Chilled Angel Hair pasta tossed with eggs roe, spring onion, parmesan cheese, truffle oil and fish liver Bottarga

What a refreshing dish! Nicely chilled and bursting with fish roe in every bite, I enjoyed this pasta tremendously. My only gripe is that the portion is way too little. Can I have more pleeeeease?

Branzino con Patate

Roasted sea bass cube served on purple mash potatoes, black olives, capers and extra virgin olive oil emulsion

The sea bass is my favorite item of the evening! Very fresh and delicately flavored, the flesh is moist and meltingly tender. Instead of the usual potato for mash, purple potato is used. I would have mistaken it for yam paste at a first glance.

Costina d’Agnello

Roasted AUS Lamb chop crusted in bread crumb and Italian herbs served with mixed vegetables caponata

The serving of lamb chop marks the last of the savory courses for the evening. Not too gamey, it is served medium rare and the doneness of mine is just nice. However, one of the plate from my table has to be sent back to the kitchen as it’s almost raw. There’s also inconsistency in the thickness of the meat, The Hungry Cow’s slice is noticeably thinner compared to mine.

Parfait al cioccolato

Double chocolate and cherry jelly Parfait

This dessert looks so dainty and sweet! The cherry parfait is sandwiched between layers of chocolate mousse and crowned with a macaroon. It looks sweet and taste even sweeter. I’m still hungry a dessert person and yet I couldn’t finish it. It somehow made me crave for something simple, like good old classic tiramisu.

Overall, my dining experience here is a pleasant one. Many thanks to TianTianChi for yet another wonderful evening.

Looking forward to the December Makansutra grand dinner next month!


Parco Caffè
Address: 10 Raeburn Park #01-28, Singapore 088702
Contact: +65 6223 6338
Website: http://www.parcocaffe.com.sg/
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm  / Dinner 6:00pm - 11:00pm


Other Makansutra Dinner Posts:
Tonny Restaurant @ Geylang ~ A March Makan Dinner
品珍私房菜 Yummy Recipes ~ A Yummy Makan Night
Grand Makan Session @ Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck