Mondo Mio – Authentic Southern Italian Feast in Robertson Quay

To celebrate Mondo Mio’s 10th year of serving authentic Italian cuisine in Singapore, the restaurant is proud to introduce a selection of off-the-menu specials on top of their freshly revamped menu. The menu is curated to showcase the vibrant flavours of Southern Italy. Owned by businessman, Gabriele Galdi and helmed by head chef, Antonio Bisogno – both Italian natives, Mondo Mio takes pride in its masterful combination of handmade pastas and secret-recipe sauces that are prepared from scratch. Fresh seafood, tomatoes, citrus fruits, olive oil, zucchini and eggplant feature prominently, as they are widely used in Southern Italian cooking.

From 25 September to 15 December 2016, diners can look forward to relishing a range of seasonal dishes and evergreen signatures in a celebratory 4-course set menu priced at just $45++ per person. You get an appetizer, first course, second course and a dessert with coffee or tea.

Our meal began with appetizers such as Insalata di Baccala ed Agrumi ($16) and Rosoni Di Zucchine alla Griglia Ripieni ($14). The former makes for a refreshing start, where meaty flakes of bay leaf steamed cod dressed with orange olive oil are stacked between zesty layers of kiwi, grapefruit and mandarin segments. The latter, on the other hand, are tantalizingly smoky rolls of zucchini wrapped around mozzarella, ham and caramelized onions and served with mint béchamel.

The following three dishes are all carb-heavy but really tasty! The Pizza con Rucola Pesto ($22) is an inimitable standout, where a piquant spread of homemade rocket and roasted pine nut pesto sits beneath discs of salami, ricotta, melted mozzarella and fresh cherry tomatoes. Mondo Mio’s pizza dough is made in-house, using a straightforward traditional mix of only water, flour and natural yeast. This forms the crisp, thin-crust base for over 10 combinations of toppings.

Besides making the pizza dough in-house, Chef Antonio methodically kneads, rolls, cuts and shapes at least seven types of pasta every week, ranging from well-loved favourites, such as ravioli and gnocchi, to the less-known likes of trofie and black olive tagliolini. Gnocchetti in Salsa di Scampi, Zafferano e Gamberoni ($28) and Tagliatelle Fatte in Casa con Crema di Melanzane e Cicale ($26) will whet the appetites of pasta lovers! The first dish consists of grilled prawns and al dente knobs of curved, shell-like pasta, tossed in a rich sauce flavoured with scampi, Chef’s special seafood stock and wisps of fragrant saffron while the second dish is where ribbons of flat noodles are ensconced in a robust sauce of eggplant, tomato and basil then crowned with sautéed crayfish.

For those hankering after some meat, the Scaloppine al Marsala ($24) glazed with a luscious fortified red wine sauce is sure to hit the spot. This off-the-menu special is prepared by carefully pounding fillets of veal that are 5 months old from New Zealand until thin and tender, then coated in a little cornstarch and finished in a pan with butter. The veal fillets are accompanied by roasted vegetables which change from time to time according to the season.

Finally, chase down the savouries with a leisurely dessert or two, such as the Pistachio Tiramisu ($12) – a spin on the classic favourite comprising mascarpone cheese melded with pistachio paste, sponge fingers soaked in Bailey’s and a generous sprinkling of chopped Sicilian pistachios. Also, don’t miss out on the Cannoli Siciliani con Pera e Ricotta ($12). Cannoli originates from the Amalfi coast but Chef Antonio has infused it with Sicilian flavours. Crunchy Italian pastry studded with caramelized walnuts cradle a fluffy mixture of ricotta, Chantilly cream and diced pear.

Dining at Mondo Mio is a relaxed affair, where customers can catch the chefs bustling in the open kitchen and enjoy their food and wine in a cozy yet spacious environment. The al fresco dining area makes a really good romantic date night for couples. Start the evening with an aperitif and small bites at the bar and finish with a lovely post-meal stroll by the nearby riverwalk. Mondo Mio’s delectable Italian food is bound to make you return for more!

Note: This is an invited tasting.