Così Delizioso!

After a pleasant Restaurant Week dining experience last year at Bistro du Vin (read about the entry here), i happily signed up for the Dining City mailing list so i would be informed of the next Restaurant Week event. I actually had a couple of restaurants in mind (e.g. &Made) when i first received news that mailing listees can make reservations a few days before slots are opened to the public but i guess they had ALOT of mailing listees because slots for the popular places were filled up so quickly!! Needless to say, we couldn't pick from the more popular ones (and also according to theBF, "it's Restaurant Week and you want to eat burgers?! Like huh?!" Lol) and had to choose from the remaining list of participating restaurants. 

In the end, we picked Da Luca Italian Restaurant for its accessible location (1 Goldhill Plaza, #01-19/21, walking distance from Novena MRT) 

To be honest, the lack of reviews online for this restaurant and the fact that they had a "surprise menu", i.e. menu will only be released at the restaurant itself but not on Restaurant Week website, made us a little nervous about lunch. Also, we almost couldn't locate the place as it was so well-hidden with its unassuming signboard and plain restaurant front! haha. 

Although it was a weekday afternoon, the place was packed with both foreigners and locals alike. It wasn't a really quiet and "atas" place which we originally expected but more of a small cozy restaurant filled with families and possibly working class people from the nearby offices. 

A glance at their "surprise menu" and we were excited about lunch already!! 2 entree to pick from, coupled with a choice from their 3 main courses, ending the meal with a Chef's Special dessert =)

A cute-looking bottle sitting on our table which turned out to be containing olive oil and vinegar for our bread.

Warm bread to start off our 3-course meal, that tasted so good with the olive oil+vinegar combination. 

Black Summer Truffle-Infused Cream of Mushroom (Entree)

Both of us ordered the mushroom soup and it definitely was one of the best choices we have made. The soup was thick and flavorful with a strong mushroom taste. Sprinkled with black pepper, I would die to have another bowl!! Although it didn't come in a big portion, this comforting dish turns out to be really filling too!

My main course came next  - Roasted Pork Belly with Bed of Spinach and Potato

A thick piece of pork belly was served and as i started to slice the meat with my cutlery, you could hear that "crack crack" sound of the crisp brown pork belly skin! Just the way i love my roasted meat =) The pork belly was well-marinated and tasted delish when eaten together with the spinach and mashed potatoes. 

Penne with Fresh Crabmeat in Light Tomato Sauce

This was the other dish i was contemplating when i first saw the menu so i was glad theBF chose this as his main course. It means i get to steal a few bites! =P 

I have high expectations for this pasta as i loved the one at Ricciotti restaurant. I must say Da Luca did serve one helluva pasta dish that did not disappoint. The tomato sauce was light and not too overwhelming and they were very generous with the fresh crab meat. The penne was cooked al dente-style, which means they were slightly on the firm side when eaten. Not the kind of pasta i personally enjoy but it was theBF's favorite so all's good =)

The waitress told us the dessert would be "ice cream with some crunchy bits inside" while clearing our main courses so we were expecting something like a scoop of ice cream to be served? haha. In the end, we were each given a plate of cake-looking dessert that was drizzled with cream sauce. 

The dessert tasted like a softer version of ice cream and had a strong almond and rum after-taste. It did come with the "crunchy bits" the waitress was talking about, probably crunched nuts and cookies. Til this date, we have no idea what we were served but oh wells, as long as it is delicious who cares right? haha.

And with that, we ended our Restaurant Week lunch at Da Luca with bulging tummies and happy souls! Even though this place was not our original choice of restaurant, it certainly did not disappoint =)

Until next time~