Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
50 Duxton Road
110 Upp East Coast Road
http://etnaitalianrestaurant.com.sg/
Authentic Italian Sicilian Fine Dining
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $35 per person.
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Founded in 2006, Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is known for its authentic Italian Sicilian cuisine, use of fresh, premium ingredients, and its impeccable service. Named after Mount Etna, an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria ensures a great dining experience through its tasty, authentic Italian food and warm hospitality. It's even been awarded the Ospitalita Italiana Gold Seal, an award which is presented by the Italian government / Italian embassies to recognise superb Italian restaurants.
Ambience at Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is semi-formal. Decor brings to mind restaurants along the coasts of Sicily, with walls of red brick, brightly lit rooms, and fine tableware. Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria generally has a small floor space that is packed tightly, this causes a rather noisy atmosphere when it's crowded. They also have a small outdoor al-fresco dining area. A chalkboard along the counter lists the daily specials, and I like that tables are spacious enough to accomodate their large serving plates.
Service at Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is impeccable, befitting a fine dining establishment. Staff will welcome you, and seating is done quickly. I like that staff are knowledgable on the menu, as well as the daily specials, able to make recommendations, including pairing of wine. Orders are fulfilled relatively quickly, and dirty plates are also cleared efficiently. They're proactive, offering to change plates after several courses. I also like that staff come round to check on your dining experience, as well as ask for feedback. Excellent!
Food at Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria revolves around Italian cuisine, specifically, dishes from Sicily. Fresh, premium ingredients are imported, and dishes are crafted according to traditional, authentic recipes, in large portions suitable for sharing. I love the clean presentation of the dishes, and generally taste fresh, packed with flavour. Ingredients are prepared simply and allowed to shine. Prices are comparable to other fine dining establishments, budget about SGD $35 or more per person for a meal here.
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Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Seating fully maximises the small floor space, giving an intimate, cozy feel. But it can get rather noisy when packed.
Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Seating
Freshly baked Pane / Assorted Italian Bread Basket (SGD $4) is served with a variety of bread options, including Wide Grissini / Breadsticks, Focaccia, Ciabatta, or Pane Siciliano / Sicilian Bread. While the bread is tasty enough to eat on its own, you could also dip it in Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar.
Pane / Assorted Italian Bread Basket With Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Bottle
Pane / Assorted Italian Bread Basket
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Bottle
A daily special, the Fresh Burrata With Parma Ham (SGD $42) is not always available, but is a great appetizer to order if you see it on the chalkboard. Large enough to share between 4 people, the burrata, which is made with mozzarella and cream, is soft, creamy, and fresh. Pair each mouthful of the smooth, creamy cheese with fresh arugula / eruca sativa, juicy cherry tomatoes, and salty, smoky parma ham / prosciutto crudo for an explosion of flavour.
Fresh Burrata With Parma Ham 01
Fresh Burrata With Parma Ham 02
A daily special, the Orecchiette With Pork Sausage & Saffron Cream (SGD $32) isn't always available. But the dish is lovely and fragrant, with its rich, yellow saffron cream that isn't too heavy on the palate. The skinless pork sausage chunks are salty and savoury, and pair well with the soft orecchiette / small ear pasta.
Orecchiette With Pork Sausage & Saffron Cream 01
Orecchiette With Pork Sausage & Saffron Cream 02
The Linguine Al Granchio (SGD $27) features perfectly done linguine and fresh crab meat, in a savoury, reduced lobster bisque that is packed with crustacean flavour. Topped with a slightly salty soft shell crab, this is a bold dish. Pretty good!
Linguine Al Granchio 01
Linguine Al Granchio 02
The Tiramisu Al Pistacchio Di Bronte (SGD $14) didn't have that intense coffee flavour normally associated with this dessert, but it has a sweet, crunchy pistachio crust, made according to an authentic recipe from the town of Bronte, Sicily, in the Province Of Catania, South Italy. Could be better if it had a stronger espresso flavour.
Tiramisu Al Pistacchio Di Bronte 01
Tiramisu Al Pistacchio Di Bronte 02
The extremely filling Pizze Bianche Quattro Formaggi (SGD $24) features a cream base topped with 4 types of cheese - stringy mozzarella, sharp gorgonzola, savoury parmigiano-reggiano / parmesan, and salty pecorino. I particularly like the bright burst of flavour from the gorgonzola cheese.
Pizze Bianche Quattro Formaggi 01
Pizze Bianche Quattro Formaggi 02
Loved the salty, smoky taste of the Pizze Rosse Prosciutto E Funghi (SGD $22), which features loads of parma ham / prosciutto crudo, fresh mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese on a slightly sweet, slightly tart, fresh tomato sauce base.
Pizze Rosse Prosciutto E Funghi 01
Pizze Rosse Prosciutto E Funghi 02
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