Tucked away in a hidden corner just off Orchard Road is an Italian restaurant called Sopra Cucina & Bar. I say it’s a hidden corner because the restaurant is located behind Palais Renaissance, away from the view of passing traffic. If I had not been invited for a tasting, I might not have known about this gem of a place.
The large signboard outside the restaurant is like a Broadway theatre marquee, reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. Yet upon entering the restaurant, Sopra Cucina evokes a somewhat rustic feel with its decor.
To kick off the evening, we had the Polpo all Carlofortina ($20). With slow-cooked octopus mixed in with diced celery, olives, pine nuts, basil and a specially made house dressing, this dish was a hit. I savoured each bite of the octopus which was tender and delicious. The fact that we finished eating it before touching the rest of the salad is a testament to how good the octopus was.
For mains, we had the homemade Biscotto di Pecorino ($22). At first glance, this dish looked like any other ordinary bread topped with cheese. But here’s the special part – the bread was topped with Pecorino cheese from Italy, stuffed in pane carusau and drizzled with generous servings of honey. Initially, I was skeptical – honey with bread? But it turned out to be a great combination. I soon found myself wanting more.
When I glanced around the restaurant, I noticed a couple of patrons on another table happily enjoying one 9″ Pizza Sopra ($28) each to themselves. I was initially surprised that they had one huge pizza per person, but when I tasted the pizza, I could totally understand why. It was hard not to like it with its thin crispy crust and generous helpings of Parma ham.
The portions were incredibly generous, and we were starting to feel full. However, the dinner was not done. We were served Malloreddus all Campindanese ($25), a classic Sardinian pasta which was made with semolina flour. Mixed with rosemary and pork-based tomato sauce, this was one of the more unique pastas I have tasted though I did find it a tad salty.
The one dish I would strongly recommend is Porcheddu Sardo ($48). This is a traditional Sardinian roast sucking pig (400g) seasoned with sea salt and Mediterranean herbs, served on a bed of roasted potatoes. I liked the texture of the potatoes and felt it complemented with the tender, juicy roasted pig perfectly. The pig skin was extremely crispy but be prepared to experience a fair bit of saltiness. To mitigate the saltiness, eat the skin with the meat, and a small piece each time.
Sopra Cucina has an extensive menu. I did not have the chance to try everything but my first dining experience is enough to entice me to revisit on another day.
Sopra Cucina & Bar
10 Claymore Road
Singapore (229540)
Tel: +65 6737 3253
Opening hours: Monday, 5 pm to 12 am; Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30 am to 12 am
