The Place Formerly known as FOO’D By Davide Oldani, Sinfonia Ristorante located in Victoria Concert Hall is a new identity since April 2018 and serves Italian cuisine. The setting of Sinfonia pretty much takes on the colonial interior of the concert hall, characterised by high ceiling with mainly white finishings in the restaurant, helmed by Chef Simone Depalmas, who is of Sardinian descent and has over 21 years of culinary experience.

The Food Expect well-plated dishes from the ala carte menu or set menus, prepared from mainly Italian ingredients where possible. The lunch sets start from S$45++ per person for three courses on weekdays, while dinner degustation menus are priced at S$138++ per person for five courses and S$168++ for seven courses.

I started with the Truffle chicken liver brulee (S$26) with leek, local herbs and roasted focaccia. The flavour of the chicken liver here has several different wines components, along with Black truffle from Umbria being added to the mousse. The mousse-like texture is perfect for spreading on the crispy toast which is served along with the dish.

Another dish I enjoyed is the Sea urchin with Alaskan king crab, rice roll, salmon roe and clam foam (S$32). Most sea urchin dishes work well for me, and the main highlight for this version is that it is accompanied by other luxurious seafood ingredients like the Alaskan crab and salmon roe. The plate is also drizzled with sea urchin sauce.

Even the Mushroom Soup (S$18) with umbrian truffle and crystalized pine nuts is unique in its own way. The dish is served with mushrooms in the bowl with the soup served separately. The mushroom soup is rich in flavour prepared with six different types of mushrooms, and I was surprised to find out that there is no addition of cream and butter.

For mains, I tried the Hand-made squid ink tagliolini with king prawn, tarragon and bottarga (S$34). The pasta is freshly prepared daily and suffice to say, the ingredients are fresh, though the dish lacks the element of surprise for me.

Comparatively, I did enjoy the Risotto with porcini mushroom and black truffle (S$28) more. Using fresh Porcini mushrooms from Italy, this dish is hard to go wrong so long as the risotto texture is right. For mushroom lovers, go for it.

Looking for something exotic? I first had French frog legs at Racine, and am surprised to find this Frog Leg in Italian tempura (S$36) here. Using French frog legs as well, the texture is chewy and not as tough as I imagined. I will recommend having it with the accompanying sauce made from milk, vinegar and lemon.

The Cod Fish with Green Asparagus, Butter Lemon Sauce and Smoked Caviar (S$44) is a safe option if you want something light, served with butter lemon sauce and green asparagus and topped with smoked caviar.

For desserts, it seem like fruity options are the direction here. Both the Passion fruit with raspberry meringue and rose lychee sorbet (S$18) and The Mandarin (S$18) filled with mascarpone cheese and fresh orange juice are refreshing in its own way to end the meal.

Rants The food is competent if you are looking for a good dining ambience in the CBD, though it lacks an element of surprise for me.

Will I Return Again? Sinfonia Ristorante is definitely a good switch from the previous name. As the only restaurant in Victoria Concert Hall, it makes a good pre or post concert dinner.

Make your reservations instantly at Sinfonia Ristorante here.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Sinfonia Ristorante
#01-01, 11 Empress Place
Victoria Concert Hall
Singapore 179558
Tel: +65 6385 5588

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm to 3pm; 6pm to 11pm
Sunday & Monday: 12pm to 3pm

Ranted by The Ranter