The Place It was my first time to Chancery Court along Dunearn Road and this pasta restaurant is literally quite out of sight, a brave move in any F&B concept in Singapore. Pastaro is a casual pasta bar concept by Chef Willin Low, Singapore’s very own Mod-Sin (Modern Singaporean) godfather from his Wild Rocket days. Located on level two, Pastaro is just above CS Fresh supermarket, and it is a cosy and intimate bistro which feels like a hidden Tokyo pasta osteria. 

The ceiling is decorated with wavy timber strip designed to mimic strands of pasta. The dining vibe is laidback and unpretentious, and the service crew is a team of long-time crew members who have worked with Chef Willin for many years. 

The Food The menu is straightforward with a series of starters and handmade pastas with local Singaporean twists. I started the meal with a few small plates. First up, the Carpaccio (S$15) features fresh and refreshing slices of barramundi sashimi topped with shallot orange oil. 

The crowd-pleasing Har Jeong Fritter (S$14) is a must order. You get golden brown fried pork belly coated in a rich prawn paste aroma. It goes well with the accompanying tangy chilli sauce. 

Rounding up the starters was the Charred Napa Cabbage which is beautifully caramelized around the edges and topped with bonito flakes. 

Moving on to the mains, the Carbonara Fettuccine (S$24) is a rich, satisfying plate for purists. Tossed with pancetta, egg yolk, parmigiano, and a generous crack of Sarawak pepper, it delivers a deeply comforting, creamy bite with a subtle, peppery kick. 

If you prefer a punchier dish, the Spicy Vongole Fettuccine (S$26) hits the spot. It infuses a fiery local twist into the classic white wine and clam staple, coating the perfectly al dente ribbons of pasta with a briny, spicy, and fragrant broth. 

For something more exciting in terms of flavour, the Curry Fettuccine (S$23) with duck ragout features Thai red curry, where the pasta comes drenched in an aromatic curry reduction.   

To end off the meal, I had the Strawberry Cheesecake (S$11) served in a cocktail glass. Filled with cream cheese, maple walnut ice cream and butter crumble, this is one dessert which has been around since Chef Willin’s Wild Rocket days. 

Alternatively, there is also the Purin (S$11) which is a pandan pudding with gula melaka caramel.  

Rants Some of the creamier and richer pastas can get quite heavy towards the end of the meal if you aren’t sharing. 

Will I Return Again? Yes. Pastaro is a refreshing addition to the Bukit Timah dining scene. It skips the pretension of typical modern bistros and focuses squarely on delivering well-executed, comforting, and distinctly Singaporean pasta creations. 

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 3/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Pastaro 
36H Dunearn Road 
#02-45 Chancery Court 
Singapore 309433 
Tel: +65 8824 0245 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 3pm; 5.30pm to 10pm 
Closed on Monday 

Ranted by The Ranter