Italian

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service. Chef Osvaldo Forlino’s No Menu restaurant is not great, but better than Forlino.

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service. Chef Osvaldo Forlino’s No Menu restaurant is not great, but better than Forlino! Shame!

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service. Chef Osvaldo Forlino’s No Menu restaurant is not great, but better than Forlino.

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service. Chef Osvaldo Forlino’s No Menu restaurant is not great, but better than Forlino.

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service. Chef Osvaldo Forlino’s No Menu restaurant is not great, but better than Forlino.

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service.

The best thing about this place is the location and the view. Maybe it’s not fair to judge a restaurant just by referring to the Valentine’s Day set menu ($178++ for non-front row tables) and dining experience, but based on that, it doesn’t rank among the top 15 Italians in Singapore. Portions are Lilliputian, none of the dishes is a wow, and the dessert is too dry. The menu said “lobster risotto”, but it’s really crayfish!!?! I remained hungry and was tempted by the idea of buying French fries at OverEasy downstairs. Service is not terribly proactive - one must ask for water refills several times during the meal. After opening the wine, the waiter asked “would you like to test, or should I just pour?” In a restaurant of this calibre, you don’t ask this kind of question - more training is called for! Cheaper restaurants would present a flower to lady guests, but not here! Forlino is a case of marble pricing but linoleum food and service.

The food is decent (pizzas are excellent; lobster ravioli so-so; wet risotto very wet and quite unusual but not great; forget about mediocre antipasti). However, it is satisfying, almost like meals cooked by a loving grandma who is not a fabulous chef. The place has two qualities: it is very good value (especially when special 1-for-1 offers are on), and service is exceptionally warm and friendly.

The food is decent (pizzas are excellent; lobster ravioli so-so; wet risotto very wet and quite unusual but not great; forget about mediocre antipasti). However, it is satisfying, almost like meals cooked by a loving grandma who is not a fabulous chef. The place has two qualities: it is very good value (especially when special 1-for-1 offers are on), and service is exceptionally warm and friendly.

First time back since they moved from a Raffles to Carlton hotel. Don’t be stingy st Shinjii - go for the Chef’s omakase where you can make specific requests. Of ourse, it’s extremely good, especially the cooked dishes. Somehow, I prefer the sushi at Ashino, and I find the uni rice bowl at Ki-sho more satisfying. But, at this level, differences are minimal and preferences are more a personal matter.

First time back since they moved from a Raffles to Carlton hotel. Don’t be stingy st Shinjii - go for the Chef’s omakase where you can make specific requests. Of ourse, it’s extremely good, especially the cooked dishes. Somehow, I prefer the sushi at Ashino, and I find the uni rice bowl at Ki-sho more satisfying. But, at this level, differences are minimal and preferences are more a personal matter.

Great view over the CBD. The food, while good, is less creative or exquisite than some other Italians nearby, like Osteria Arte or Braci. Good-value set lunch.