[dropcap size=small]F[/dropcap]un, boisterous restaurants aren’t usually the ones we associate with sophistication, but Osteria Mozza is a wonderful exception. The atmosphere is decidedly relaxed, with chef-patron Mario Batali’s handpicked mix of groovy rock music turned up suitably high. The service style is casual and personable, and the staff are faultlessly knowledgeable about the cuisine and impressively suave – even when little glitches occur, such as when an order is sent to the wrong table.

The table linens are not starched to creaseless perfection, but nobody minds it when the lights are dim and, well, the food is so good that all your attention is focused on it and pretty much nothing else. The menu, in the style of a typical Italian cucina, offers plenty of surprises.

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The mozzarella bar, with its myriad variations of the fresh cheese, is a show stealer, but the fun only starts there. More adventurous diners with a taste for unusual cuts will want to order the dish of testa. Essentially a gelatinous terrine made from pig’s head, the dish is rich and unctuous, yet suitably balanced by sweet, herbaceous tarragon and briny green olives.

Yet another intensely flavoured yet well-balanced dish is celery root cappellacci. Featuring little pillows of fresh pasta stuffed with a creamy blend of celery root puree and mascarpone, the sweetish dish is given a hit of earthy, umami flavour from sauteed blue foot mushrooms – so moreish a dish that it is hard to believe it is meatless!


Osteria Mozza
#B1-42-46 Galleria Level
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
T 6688-8868

The full list of Singapore’s Best at
G Restaurant Awards 2016.

All tastings conducted incognito with esteemed members of G’s Food Panel.