Food Review: Basilico | Italian food at its best @ Regent Singapore

Posted on March 3, 2015 by theRantingPanda in Food

The Place If you were to ask me for a hotel buffet recommendation, Basilico will definitely be one of the places which pop up in my head. It is always welcoming to drop by Regent Singapore for a meal, which I especially appreciate the huge sense of space the interior creates, as well as the distinct interior décor of every different restaurant here from the oriental Summer Palace to the uber-chill Manhattan Bar to the fine and elegant Basilico.

The Food An award winning Italian restaurant in Regent Singapore, the fine Italian restaurant has an array of Italian theme gourmet delights mapped out for the rest of the year based on the different geographical regions of Italy. From January 5 to March 31, Basilico’s Executive Sous Chef Angelo Ciccone has specially curated the menu with a focus on Central Italy’s flavours, with Basilico’s Basilissimo dinner menu, comprising of an appetiser and dessert buffet, along with a choice of mains from the à la carte main course selection.

Continue to savour through the rest of Italy for the rest of this year: April to June (Islands of Italy), July to September (South of Italy), October to December (North of Italy).

For the mains, I had the Grilled Angus Beef Tenderloin with Braised Artichokes and “Norcia” Black Truffle Sauce, which has a nice succulent texture for my beautifully plated medium-rare steak.

Alternatively, the Rantee went for the highly recommended Roman Style Roasted Pork Belly, Amarone Wine Poached Quince Apple and Minted Fava Beans. I managed to land my hands on some bites of the pork belly, which wow-ed me with its super crispy and luscious texture. For that moment, the fats did not matter at all.

Other notable highlights for the mains include the Lazio region’s inspired Spaghetti in Amatriciana Sauce with Pork Pancetta, Red Onions and Roman Pecorino, Marche and Abruzzo regions’ Tiger Prawn Risotto with Lemon Zest and Herbs to showcase the fresh seafood in these regions as well as Umbria’s (famous for the best quality lentils) Pan-roasted Sea Bass Fillet, Asparagus Gratin and Braised Umbria Castelluccio Lentils.

Spaghetti in Amatriciana Sauce with Pork Pancetta, Red Onions and Roman Pecorino

I was very excited while taking a tour of the beautifully lined up antipasti and dessert buffet, attracted by myriad of flavours and colours of each section.

For the antipasti spread, I was especially impressed with the choice of selections, with most ingredients (even the tomatoes) directly imported from Italy. Expect cold cuts such as Parma Ham, a myriad of salads such as Mushrooms, Eggplants and Seafood, good selection of cheese including Roman Pecorino (hard Italian cheeses made from ewe’s milk), homemade bread and meats.

Smoked Salmon, Tuna Fish, Angus Beef, Cod Fish. The aromatic truffle cream sauce was such a perfect match with the angus beef that I was practically just licking every bit of it.

After a satisfying round antipasti and mains, I hopped to the desserts counter with high anticipation, given that every pastry and gelato is made and prepared in-house by the pastry team. Be prepared to indulge in a wide array of choices – homemade gelato and sorbet (Chocolate, Vanilla, Lime Basil, Mango sorbet, Strawberry sorbet), crème brulee, chocolate cake, cheesecake.

Most dessert buffets often have a mix of hits and misses but I daresay I was impressed by the consistent quality for those I tried at Basilico. Be it the rich gelato flavours or pastries, there is something for everyone, even if you have a not-so-sweet-tooth like me.

The Basilico’s Basilissimo dinner menu is priced at S$88++ per person. Other than the semi-dinner buffet, the antipasti+dessert buffet is at S$64++, while the dessert only buffet (after 9pm) is at S$24++.

Rants I realised that soup is missing from the buffet spread, which will undoubtedly complete the dining experience.

Will I return again? There are not many Italian theme buffet restaurants in Singapore, but I am glad I can say I have found my calling for Italian food in Basilico. Another reason for me to be back at Regent Singapore for some quality Italian fare, where quality is not compromised even in a buffet setting. And how about heading over to Manhattan Bar after your meal?

Make your reservation instantly at Basilico here.