Brunch @ La Ristrettos

August 23, 2014 in European (cafe) by thywhaleliciousfay

In my opinion, La Ristrettos is a good cafe to ‘escape’ as one gets coffee or a quick bite in between doctor appointments.

The excessive use of red bricks for the walls and a full-height window which looks out to the building’s mini garden provide a cosy and warm ambience which allows one to forget we are actually within Novena Medical Centre. Till one steps back out into the corridor or overhear people talking medical terms, that is. Ha!

And from the menu, we ordered:-


1) Tostino e arrosto, $11 (above) – Toasted sour dough with garlic olive oil, spinach, roast chicken breast, tomato and poached egg.

2) Linguini alle scaloppina, $14.90 (above) – Scallop linguini in light creamy tomato sauce. This was good and addictive. The portion was just nice too.


3) Mushroom frittata, $12 (above) – The Italian mushroom omlette. Added ham, mushroom, tomato, cheese and served with sour dough. This was impressive when served. And the taste was equally good. The omlette was surprisingly light. I enjoyed eating it separately from the sour dough, which was equally good. Crust of bread was toasted nicely to a crisp with interior being sweet and fluffy.


4) Smoked duck breast, $14 (above) – Poached egg placed on top of sliced smoked duck breast, capsicums, bacon and honey mustard soux. The slightly thick duck slices being very well done, were slightly chewy. And as I neared to finishing the dish, a layer of oil is visible at the bottom of plate (probably from the bacon and caramelised onions).

5) Pear tart, $8 (above) – So good! Portion was bigger than what I imagined for a tart, which was a pleasant surprise. And it was a joy to hear the crackling sound as I sliced through the crisp, buttery pastry crust. Ice cream was thick and creamy. A must try!

6) Ice chocolate, $6.50 (above) – Chocolate poured over a scoop of chocolate gelato in a glass of milk.

7) Cafe latte, $5.50 (above)

For those in the area, I will definitely recommend coming to La Ristrettos. In fact, they are one cafe that I’ll recommend making a special trip to. I like how it allowed me to temporary forget about the hassle of life.

The cafe is able to accommodate 20 with a long communal table that has a huge pot of plant in the centre and window-facing high seats. Else, one can sit at the building’s garden which is also accessible from the cafe.

To get here from Novena MRT, one can go by exit A (Novena Specialist Centre) and cross the link bridge at level 2 to Novena Medical Centre lift lobby. Or, enter Square 2 from Velocity and follow the signs to Novena Medical Centre lift lobby at level 1 (walk past the information counter). If not, if one is coming from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Novena Medical Centre’s lift lobby is on your direct left after crossing the link bridge.

LA RISTRETTOS
10 Sinaran Drive, Novena Medical Centre, #08-37, Singapore
6397 7165, Facebook
Overall: 6.5
Opening hours:-
Food/Beverage: 7
Mon – Fri : 08:00 – 18:00
Ambience: 7
Sat : 08:00 – 14:00
Value: 6
* Closed on Sun
Service: 6