SINGAPORE – Italian Patio, the poolside cafe at Warren Golf & Country Club, is out of the way, but it is worth a visit for those who miss a taste of the food at now-defunct Italian restaurant Modesto’s.
Its former group head chef Eric Cheah, 52, is reprising several of his signature dishes, such as Misto Carne Pizza ($20.80 for members, $22 for non-members), at the three-month-old restaurant where he is executive chef.
The restaurant, which seats 50 indoors and 30 outdoors, is open to members of the public who pay a 10 per cent surcharge on all items.
Meant for meat lovers, the thin-crust Misto Carne Pizza is a carnivorous medley of pork salami, cooked pork ham, sliced chicken sausage and succulent slices of mildly spicy house-marinated boneless chicken thigh.
Chef Cheah prepares the pizza dough fresh daily and pizzas are made to order.
A decadent dish to order is the Cannelloni Spinaci ($21.80 for members, $24 for non-members).
The pasta roll, handmade by chef Cheah, is stuffed with stir-fried and seasoned spinach. A dollop of housemade tomato sauce in the oven-baked dish gives it a tangy edge and prevents the cheese-laced cream sauce from being too cloying. The pasta has a slight chew and is tender enough to be cut with a fork or spoon.
Cannelloni Spinaci at Italian Patio.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
The lusciously addictive Melanzane Alla Parmigiana ($18.80 for members, $20.60 for non-members) requires ordering a day in advance. Slices of eggplant are briefly deep-fried, layered in a dish, doused in a rich savoury and tangy housemade tomato sauce, and finished with mozzarella and parmesan in the oven.
Melanzane Alla Parmigiana at Italian Patio.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
End your meal with the housemade Tiramisu ($13.80 for both members and non-members). The slightly sweet fruitiness of the marsala (fortified wine) is evident in the espresso-soaked savoiardi fingers and is a worthy match for the airy creaminess of the whipped mascarpone.
Tiramisu at Italian Patio.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Where: Warren Golf & Country Club, 81 Choa Chu Kang Way
MRT: Choa Chu Kang
Open: Noon to 11pm (Tuesdays to Sundays); closed on Mondays
Tel: 6586-1292
Hedy Khoo is senior correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers food-related news, from reviews to human interest stories.
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