The Place Opened since 2017, I enjoyed my dining expected at Bar Cicheti along Jiak Chuan Road when it first opened in the buzzing Keong Saik enclave. Fast forward to 2024, the popular Italian restaurant went through a revamp recently with an updated space and menu. The interior exudes a sleek, elegant yet relaxed dining vibes with a mix of counter seats and tables, along with an al fresco section. 

The Food The menu is a selection of dishes – To Start(antipasti), To Slurp (pasta), and To Savour (dessert), and there is a good variety of dishes to choose from. In terms of beverage, the wine list is an interesting mix of old and new world wines, which complements the dishes very well.

For a start, go for the Fried Sage (S$12) in tempura batter where the individually fried sage leave is crispy and so addictive, sprinkled with Maldon salt. 

The Creamy Burratina (S$28) from Puglia is served along with toasted freshly baked sourdough and lightly fermented cherries served on a bed of peppery watercress. I love the fresh and creamy cheese flavour which is made even better with the drizzles of smoked extra virgin olive oil from Spain. 

For a meatier starter, I had the Saltimbocca (S$28), where the veal tenderloin is wrapped with prosciutto di parma that has been aged for 16 months, and seared for a crisp and caramelised exterior. The veal is extremely tender, and you get that aromatic glaze on the meat from the Marsala wine and herbaceous sage. 

On to the main highlight for me, the pastas. 

My favourite of the three pastas I had is the Smoked Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe (S$28) where the rigatoni is charred on the grill before being tossed with pecorino, aged parmigiano reggiano, Sarawak black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. I love the al dente texture and the slightly cheesy and buttery flavours. 

The second pasta I had was the Spaghettini al Nero di Seppia (S$32) where this pasta is like Aglio olio, but in a squid ink sauce along with garlic, parsley and chilli, topped with char-grilled baby squid. This is drizzled with smoked extra virgin olive oil from Spain, so you get that slightly greasy texture but delicious nonetheless. 

I also enjoyed the Agnolotti (S$31) pastas where the egg-enriched pasta is stuffed with a duck marmalade made using France’s famous Challans duck leg. This is served in a brown butter sauce dotted with aged balsamic, chive oil and sultana raisins, topped with shavings of parmigiana reggiano. The highlight for me is definitely the delicious duck meat! 

For dessert, I had the classic Tiramisu (S$18) which is light and airy in texture yet full of flavour at the same time. The boozy eggnog tiramisu is layered atop amaretto-soaked savoiardi biscuit and topped with a layer of cocoa powder. 

Rants The dining space could be a tad tight between tables. 

Will I Return Again? If you were to ask me to recommend a relatively casual Italian restaurant in Singapore for pastas, Bar Cicheti is one to check out. Great dining vibes with a varied selection of starts to pastas, it is suitable for date nights or a gathering with friends. 

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

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

Bar Cicheti 
10 Jiak Chuan Road  
Singapore 089264 
Tel: +65 6789 9801 

Opening Hours 
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 2:30pm; 6pm to 10:30pm 
Friday & Saturday: 12pm to 2:30pm; 6pm to 11pm 

Ranted by The Ranter