Buona Terra Italian Restaurant (Singapore Restaurant Week 2015)

As part the recent Singapore Restaurant Week, we visited the lovely Buona Terra for lunch. Owned by the TCC Group, the restaurant is set within a lovely colonial bungalow (shared with Ki-sho) hidden along Scotts Road. Surrounding the walls, is a mini garden with squirrels frolicking about.

Elegantly set tables awaited us after we strolled past the rows of excellent wines at the entrance.

We started with a nice warm breadbasket of soft breads, rolls, breadsticks and “Piano Paper” (which in my hunger I forgot to take a shot!), followed by the Amuse Bouche, Squid carpaccio with Basil Pesto daintily served in a double wall dish.

I liked the soft thin slices served with the mix of strong basil flavors. Wish there was more!
We were also blessed to enjoy a complimentary Capesante (Scallop Tartare with Tomato Essence).

Whilst the tartare was fresh and light, somehow I kept getting the overpowering taste of onions which sadly overwhelmed the scallop.

My favorite item from the tasting menu, the Pappardelle Verdi ai Funghi Porcini (Green Rucola Pappardelle with Porcini Mushrooms). The gently cooked mushrooms had a strong buttery flavor.  I liked the al dente pasta in bright candy green color, coated with a film of the buttery mushroom sauce. Yum 🙂

The best part of the Pancia di Maiale (Seared Pork Belly with Corn, Apple and Red Cabbage), was the seared pork belly and the apple sauce. The pork belly is almost fork tender and full of flavor from sous vide cooking, and then seared on the skin to create a light crust. It pairs very well with the thick and intensely flavored applesauce.

Thick cream that is light? Yes! The Semifreddo al Torroncino e Salsa al Passito (Nougat Parfait with Passito Sauce) was a hit with all the ladies. Even with those on a diet finished it off their plates! Unlike conventional ice-cream, it didn’t weigh heavy on the palette and stomach. It felt like fluffy air-beaten cream with a light caramel flavor. Definitely a winner and must try here.

Overall I did enjoy the entire meal, and might pop by again for lunch (dinners here can be rather expansive affairs). For more affordable lunch option, check out their lunch menu here
http://www.scotts29.com/buonaterra/downloads/BuonaTerra_LunchMenu.pdf

Buena Terra
Address : 29 Scotts Road Singapore 228224
Email : reservation@buonaterra.com.sg
Tel :+65 6733 0209
Web : http://www.scotts29.com/buonaterra/restaurant.html