Singapore’s beloved enclave of Tiong Bahru recently gained yet another dining gem with the opening of Casa Cicheti, a contemporary trattoria offering surprisingly progressive Italian flavours.
If you’ve ever wandered through Tiong Bahru, this wonderfully eclectic neighbourhood boasts pretty much the most endearing mix of old-world charm and new-age cool you’ll ever find in Singapore. Even better for the keen epicurean? It happens to be home to some of the best eats you can find too, from well-loved hawker favourites at Tiong Bahru Market to cutting-edge wine bars and envelope-pushing restaurants all of which beg visiting.
The latest dining addition to Tiong Bahru, Casa Cicheti, is only going to enhance the area’s reputation as a sterling gastronomic destination.
Opened by The Cicheti Group – the hospitality group behind Bar Cicheti, Forma, and Wild Child Pizzette – Casa Cicheti drops the group’s signature brand of authentic and unfussy Italian flavours into a pre-war flat space that is part Tuscan country house and part contemporary bohemian and looking wholly like it was plucked straight out of Trastevere in Rome. There’s also a bit of Parisian bistro too, but we’re not judging.
And the fare? Hearty and comforting.
We don’t normally recommend you order bread to start; but here at Casa Cicheti you really should. You’ll want the Casa Pane – a golden, pillowy slab of crusty focaccia that’s twice-fermented for over 60 hours and infused overnight with rosemary and sea salt – ready on hand to mop up all the sauces that is to come. Assuming any is left after you’re done with its accompanying whipped burrata. Otherwise you can opt for the Burratina, a blob of indolently creamy cow’s milk cheese drizzled with chilli oil for a fun twist. It comes with some bread of its own for you to smear the burratina on.
Their house salad, or Insalata della Casa, is excellent. This melange of sliced pear, parma ham, roasted almonds, shaved pecorino and various greens is a riot of textures and flavour, and will have you reaching again and again with your fork.
Seafood lovers need to order the Scampi, which here comes as perfectly grilled langoustine flourished with black garlic-infused butter and a splash of lemon. Simple, effective, and absolutely delicious.
We had high expectations for the pasta – sister concept Forma is an eminent pasta-centric restaurant, after all – and Casa Cicheti delivered with aplomb. The Capellini, for example, comes with stunningly fresh Argentine red prawns that imparted its sweet, briny flavour to the thin noodle strands. But the Rigatoni Alla Vodka won our hearts with its rich, assertive flavours, the spicy ’nduja and al dente pasta tubes combining with chilli-infused vodka for a most perfect bite.
There’s pizza too. Without a traditional brick oven Chef Aun had to rework his dough recipe specially for Casa Cicheti, resulting in a pie base that’s an unusual hybrid of Neapolitan’s complexity with Roman-style crustiness. It works well enough. The Margherita is a must-try, here the classic combo of fior di latte, parmigiano, tomato and basil proving that simple is always best. Otherwise the Cinque Formaggi takes the classic four-cheese topping and raises the stakes with mascarpone and Greek honey for those who can’t get enough cheese.
The Mortazza Fritta is an unexpected delight; a deep-fried puff of golden crust – think an Italian version of crisp fluffy bhatura – topped with mortadella, stracciatella, and crushed pistachios that should be a hit with the kids.
For mains, if you still have space, the Pollo Alla Griglia is a juicy take on grilled chicken, doused in a tangy, herbal salsa verde for big bursts of flavour. Also highly recommended is the Branzino, a perfectly grilled local seabass douse in brown butter bagna càuda.
Save some space for dessert; the Pistachio Lava Cake is a welcome sweet ending.
As with The Cicheti Group’s other concepts, Casa Cicheti offers a well-curated wine list that veers to the playful and unusual. You’re looking at an evolving collection of small batch, lesser-known varietals from usually unfancied regions – like a Schioppetino from Friuli Venezia Giulia – that rightfully needs someone like managing partner and wine sommelier Ronald Kamiyama to shine the spotlight on.
Otherwise, their cocktails – such as the Dirty Little Martini or Casa Bloody Mary – are great options too.
We like that Casa Cicheti isn’t really trying to reinvent the wheel with Italian cuisine. These are just well executed dishes with thoughtful little touches, wrapped with a cosy, convivial atmosphere that’s altogether inviting. That it’s just as suitable for a tête-à-tête, working business lunch, or a weekend family dinner is icing on your proverbial pistachio chocolate lava cake.
[Photo credits: Casa Cicheti]
Casa Cicheti
Address 78 Guan Chuan St, #01-41, Singapore 160078 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays; closed on Mondays
Web www.casacicheti.com
Facebook casacicheti
Instagram @casacicheti
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