Home Food Reviews Da Paolo Bistro Bar, Rochester Park

“Pasta doesn’t make you fat. It’s how much pasta you eat that makes you fat.”

Despite our initial disappointment with Gastronomia Da Paolo, rif insisted we should try Da Paolo Bistro Bar in Rochester Park just 5 minutes from our hotel and Buona Vista station. Housed in an old, colonial bungalow, the restaurant felt cosy and laid-back – perfect for a quiet night out. It was a full house that night and since we didn’t make any reservation, we settled for the al fresco seats instead.

Mascarpone cheese, mushroom and black truffles pizza

The mascarpone cheese, mushroom and black truffles pizza (SGD27) boasted a crackly, thin crust. I found the combination of mascarpone, earthy mushrooms and black truffle shavings a full-flavoured and satisfying starter.

Grilled wagyu beef burger with Italian parma ham, porcini mayo, caramelized onions, brie fondue, crispy wedges and focaccia burger bun

The grilled wagyu beef burger (SGD27), an assemblage of Italian parma ham, porcini mayo, caramelized onions, brie fondue, crispy wedges and focaccia burger bun, sounded promising. This was quite good. The meat was tasty a mix of fatty and lean, and medium rare throughout. The complementing flavours of parma ham and brie accentuated the patty, and the focaccia – toasted on both sides – had a good bite.

Evenly medium-rare

Spinach tagliolini gratin with parmesan, cream, pancetta and cepes mushroom

That said, it was rif’s spinach tagliolini gratin (SGD22) that wowed. The pasta, baked with parmesan, cream, pancetta and cepes mushroom remained toothsome and had a rich, lingering flavour. I liked how the cepes mushroom added an earthy and faintly nutty dimension to this dish. Simple, yet delicious! I found myself sneaking bites from his plate.

Rich, lingering flavour

Peanut butter dessert

We waited more than 45 minutes for the dark chocolate soufflé (SGD22) when the waiting time was 20 minutes. While service was slow, our waiter was courteous. He gave us a complimentary peanut butter dessert because we had to wait long for our soufflé. This was pretty damn good. Peanut butter, chocolate cookie and nougat in layers, I almost wished my soufflé took another 45 minutes so I can get another complimentary portion of this. Lol!

Dark chocolate soufflé with whipped cream and berries

But that didn’t happen and eventually, we got our dark chocolate soufflé; billowy like the inflated ego of some guys I know. The firm outer shell gave way to an impossibly light centre – so fragile, yet so rich in cocoa flavour. It’s best to eat this quickly, for if left for too long, it will deflate and you’ll be left with a chocolate omelette.

Apart from the service, we were pleased with my dinner at Da Paolo Bistro Bar. This was the best meal we’ve eaten in a while, hence the rating below.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5/10 (Dinner was SGD140 inclusive of two beers)
Food: 8.5/10 (non halal)
Verdict: The tagliolini and dark chocolate soufflé are a must-try.

Da Paolo Bistro Bar
3 Rochester Park
Tel: +65 6774 5537
Opening Hours:
Mondays – Sundays
Lunch 11.30am to 2.30pm

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10 comments

Melissa July 12, 2012 - 5:50 pm

“Pasta doesn’t make you fat. It’s how much pasta you eat that makes you fat.”
I usually ignore the 2nd sentence. Hahaha….Its like I don’t seem to get full eating pastas! =p

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Bangsar Babe July 12, 2012 - 8:42 pm

Hahahahaha!!! I agree…must eat one whole plate…then only satisfied. :P

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rif July 12, 2012 - 8:35 pm

i will go back to singapore just to eat this!
awesome stuff!

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Bangsar Babe July 12, 2012 - 8:42 pm

You belanja again?

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ulric July 13, 2012 - 8:31 am

Wow…pasta combined with gratin…summore got pancetta….just loving it! :) Sneaking bites? I dun think so…hahaha :P

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Bangsar Babe July 13, 2012 - 8:46 am

Hahahaha….really la! :P

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ulric July 13, 2012 - 8:55 am

I wonder if Spasso Milano has this or a variation of this pasta n gratin combo?….hmmmmm =)

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Bangsar Babe July 13, 2012 - 8:56 am

I don’t think they have. But if Felice is there, he can probably whip something out. ;)

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josh July 13, 2012 - 10:54 am

best food blog in town….but you already know that!!
always makes me hungry even for food i don’t normally fancy.

“billowy like the inflated ego of some guys I know” – love the wicked sense of humour too! :)

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Bangsar Babe July 13, 2012 - 10:58 am

Thanks Josh!

Hahaha…true wat. Some guys have HUGE egos… :P

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