Dolce Vita – New and Exquisite Italian Dining by Chef de Cuisine Marco Manocchio [MEDIA INVITE]

Dolce Vita @ Mandarin Oriental Singapore

Since December 2016, Dolce Vita has embarked on a New and Exquisite Italian gastronomic journey with their new Chef de Cuisine Marco Manocchio. Hailed from Rome, Chef Marco has curated the new menu in Dolce Vita to showcase modern and traditional Italian Cuisine using authentic Italian ingredients.

Dolce Vita Chef de Cuisine Marco Manocchio

First on the table is different selection of bread. My pick is the focaccia accompanied by different dip: Tomato pesto, basil cream and tomato cream. Of course, the conventional dip of olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette is available as well.

Bread Selections with Dips

Antipasto was Insalata di astice ($36), lightly smoked lobster salad, endive, citrus, miso consommé. It is like a combination between salad and soup. The lobster has a beautiful smokey flavour, followed with sweet brainy flavour when you bit into it. The miso add a slight earthly flavour to the dish which was balanced by the grapefruit. The combination of flavours really wakes up your palate. A good start to the meal.

Insalata di astice

For any cheese lover, the next dish will make you go WOWWW. Treccia Campana di bufala ($34). Handmade buffalo mozzarella from Naples served with condiments. This dish is plated table side, where the mozzarella that order is cut from a 3kg or 5kg whole buffalo mozzarella. One of the biggest that I ever seen.

Treccia Campana di bufala - Plated Tableside 

Served with sun-dried tomatoes, anchovies, arugula with a drizzle of virgin olive oil. The cheese is smooth, creamy with a hint of sweetness. The bolder flavour of sun-dried tomatoes and anchovies made a good pairing for the subtle cheese. It is just delizioso!!

Treccia Campana di bufala

Carbonara ($28) – Homemade Spaghetti, Pecorino sabayon, pancetta, black pepper. The homemade spaghetti is double the size of the normal spaghetti. Has a similar texture to a thick ramen, it is springy and absorbs the sauce with ease. Each strand of the pasta is well coated with the rich and creamy carbonara sauce infused with Pecorino cheese. The crispy pancetta added saltiness and light crispy texture to the dish. A superb and unique carbonara indeed.

Carborana

Paying homage to time-honoured traditions is the Lasagna Dolce Vita ($32) – 25 layers lasagna, Neapolitan ragout, smoked Scamorza fondue. First thing that capture my attention was the al-dante pasta sheet in the lasagna. It retain its texture, sandwiched the ragout and cheese fondue in between. They use the Scamorza cheese for the lasagna here which has a milder cheesiness compare to the pungent cheddar cheese. A mild version of lasagna.

Lasagna Dolce Vita

For Florentine style of steak is Tagliata di manzo ($98) – Roasted US Prime Beef bone-in ribeye, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables capperata, natural roasting juices. A solid 700 gram prime beef roasted with herbs in Florentine style. Cooked to medium rare, the meat is succulent with a touch of charred on the outside. There is not much marbling in the beef, so it is not those melt in your mouth type, instead you get the delicious meaty steak.

Tagliata di manzo - Prepared Tableside

The mashed potatoes on the sides is thick and creamy, goes well with the roasted vegetables on the side.

Tagliata di manzo - Individual Plating

Desserts was Pannacotta ($16) and Tiramisu ($16). The presentation of pannacotta is beautiful, look like part of the Smurfs' village. The pannacotta is shaped in mushrooms form, with the spongy pistachio spread like a grass field. The burnt milk ice cream is will catch your palate with the nice smokey aroma. Nicely curated dessert.

Pannacotta with smoked ice cream

The tiramisu looks like a melting ice cream ball. The mascarpone mousse is creamy with solid espresso flavour. The chocolate bits on the side provided an alternative crunchy texture to the dish. It might not look very polish, but the flavours will definitely make you polished up this dessert.

Tiramisu

Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience at Dolce Vita. The new menu really showcase Chef de Cuisine Marco Manocchio ability in pairing modern technique with traditional Italian ingredients which brought Italian Cuisine to the next level. Definitely one of the place to go for Italian cuisine in Singapore. Saluti!! Cheers!!

Thank you very much to Mandarin Oriental Team for the tasting invitation.

Food & Drink: 9/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 9.5/10

Budget per Person: $51 - $80; $81 and Above

Dolce Vita

5 Raffles Ave

5^th Floor. Mandarin Oriental Singapore

Marina Square 

Singapore 039797

T: +65 6885 3500

W: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/fine-dining/dolce-vita/

F: https://www.facebook.com/MandarinOrientalSingapore

IG: @mo_singapore

OH:

Lunch, Mon – Fri: 12.00 – 14.30

Brunch, Sat – Sun: 12.00 – 15.00

Dinner, Daily: 18.30 – 22.30

Menu is available online