Restaurant Review: Ricciotti at China Square

Restaurant Review: Ricciotti at China Square

3, Pickering Street,
#01-36/37 Nankin Row,
China Square Central
Singapore 048660

+65 6438 8040

Due to on-going construction works at China Square at the time of this review, I doubt most people would stumble across Ricciotti Italian restaurant if they hadn’t heard about it beforehand. I understand there also is a second Riciotti at Clarke Quay, which might offer a better atmosphere, at least until the construction work in China Square is concluded. Even so, this place is a hidden gem.

I’ve been at Ricciotti three times in the past couple of weeks, so you already get an inclination of where this review is going. The first time, I had Hawaiian Pizza, the second time I had the Linguetti Pesto (basil pesto, sundried tomatoes and French beans) and recently we ordered Fusilli al Gorgonzola and Linguine al Granchio (crabmeat in creamy tomato sauce). 

Having lived with an Italian from Southern Italy, I have a clear concept of what pasta and pizza should taste like. Unfortunately, in many Italian/Western restaurants in Singapore one gets the distinct impression that the cook never has tasted proper Italian food, or is just incapable of replicating that taste. Luckily, Ricciotti is a laudable exception to that rule. The pasta is al dente, and the sauces are evidently home-made, with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The pizza I had was quite sizeable and again the ham and pineapple toppings were as one would desire them to be, fresh and tasty.

The staff at Ricciotti is friendly and quick, at least at the times when I dropped by, which admittedly were not peak hours. Lunch time is usually busy, but if you go in the afternoon/evening I doubt you need to make reservations, even on a weekend. The atmosphere in the restaurant is rustic, made for casual dining. The only downside to Ricciotti is that it’s not cheap, with pasta and pizza (9”/12”) ranging between S$18 and S$25. At the time of this review, Ricciotti had a dinner special going on, offering the 2^ndpasta for 50%. They also have some lunch specials and promo offers for DBS cardholders, which are decent value for your money as well.

Overall, if you value good Italian food, I would recommend Ricciotti without hesitation, unless you require a particularly fancy setting for your dinner.

4/5 Stars

Edit: Yesterday, I tried one of their lunch specials: grilled chicken breast with herbs, combined with a small salad as well as mashed potatoes and gravy on the side. Apart from the fact that the tomatoes in the salad were not ripe (ripe, flavorful tomatoes are something I have yet to taste in any restaurant in Singapore), this lunch special at S$ 12  is great value for money.