The Place Forma is closed, and in its place is a concept by the same group. Meet Casa Cicheti Joo Chiat at Tembeling Road, the second outlet after its Tiong Bahru outpost. It is the same sense of familiarity as I checked out the spot for dinner – the alfresco outdoor terrace tables and the cosy indoor seating. The vibe feels the same as what Forma was, except that the pasta making spot at its entrance is now a bar area. 

The Food In terms of menu, Casa Cicheti Joo Chiat and Tiong Bahru are largely similar, where the staff did introduce the daily specials to me as well. 

While Forma used to be pasta-centric, Casa Cicheti’s menu is mainly split into starters, pastas, pizzas, meats and desserts. 

I started with the Focaccia Di Recco (S$28) with stracchino and honey truffle. Presented like a pizza, it is fairly thin crust, and you get that nice dough texture with the sweetness from the honey. 

The other side dish I had was the Hispi Cabbage (S$18) where the grilled cabbage is prepared with black garlic and parmigiano. 

For pasta, I recommend the Rigatoni Alla Vodka (S$30) – nduja, pink sauce, basil, chilli, vodka – where you get a nice al dente texture of the rigatoni along with a tinge of spiciness. It does reminds me of the version at Scarpetta.

The Umbricelli (S$32) is a cheesy pasta option with crumbled pork, winter truffle, nutmeg, pecorino romano   dop. Overall, it is a well-balanced flavour. 

For pizza, I went for the Formaggi (S$29) – fior di latte, parmigiano, gorgonzola, fontina, mascarpone – which is one of the few cheese base flavours amidst the tomato base pizzas. I enjoyed this as well, as the dough is pretty good and if you are a cheese lover, this is definitely up your alley. 

Rants A note of caution – stick to indoor seats if you can as Singapore’s humidity is often cruel enough to enjoy your meal in comfort at the outdoor seating. 

Will I Return Again? A good addition to Joo Chiat’s dining scene, this is a cosy spot for a good Italian meal. The dishes are well-varied be it their pastas or pizzas, where the space is ideal for small group gatherings. 

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

Casa Cicheti (Joo Chiat) 
128 Tembeling Road 
Singapore 423638 
Tel: +65 8223 8665 

Opening Hours 
Monday to Sunday: 12pm to 3pm; 6pm to 10.30pm 
Closed on Tuesday 

Ranted by The Ranter