Buona Terra: Exquisite Italian fine dining in Singapore

Living up to its reputation as an exclusive and excellent fine-dining Italian restaurant, describing the food, ambiance and service of Buona Terra as impeccable would not be an overstatement. Situated along Scotts Road, adjacent to other equally reputed restaurants like Song of India and Ki-Sho, Buona Terra holds its own as a cosy and classy destination for Italian food aficionados and newbies alike. Apart from the food, the restaurant features an impressive collection of signature Italian wines and champagnes that line the entrance of the restaurant.

Buona Terra has three menus – the Constellations Menu – Star, Moon and Sun Menu, The Seasonal Menu and The Good Earth Menu. The Constellations menu is the most affordable option – featuring a wide variety of signature Italian Ala Carte options, starting from $88++ per person for three course meals to $128++ per person for 5-course meals, and wine pairing starts from $58. The Seasonal Menu is changed every season, and is priced at $148 per person with additional wine pairing at $110.

The newly introduced Good Earth Menu (priced at $228++ per person, with additional wine pairing at $130++) is the crème-de-la-crème of the menus options and is a degustation menu consisting of eight to ten dishes, made from the season’s freshest produce and personally prepared by Chef Denis Lucchi. His intimate knowledge of Italian cuisine is such that each dish is better than the last. We had the honour of an exclusive media tasting, and our meal was paired with wine that was carefully picked by the expert Chief Sommelier, Gabriele Rizzardi.

While all the dishes were incredible, here are some of the dishes that stood out as we tucked into the heavenly the Good Earth Menu:

Iberico Ham “Pata Negra” with Buffallo Mozzarella Cheese and Black Figs (Paired with: Soave Pieropan 2013)

 The aged tender ham, which is at the bottom of this dish, is complemented perfectly by the rich cheese and the slight sweetness of the exquisite black figs, making for a light and tantalizing starter.

Taleggio Cheese Casoncelli with Seasonal Black Truffle

(Paired with: Feudi Pisciotto l Eterno 2011)

This dish is deceptively heavy. The casoncelli are tiny dumplings, topped with a generous portion of seasonal black truffle, and are so deliciously cheesy, paired with the feudi pisciotto wine, you might need to cry out in ecstasy.

Lamb Loin with Artichoke and Potato Pave

(Paired with: Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2007)

 This oh-so-tender lamb loin and delicate potato pave go splendidly with the vintage 2007 red wine and are a main course that has just the right amount of oomph, without leaving you feeling too full.

Fresh Mix Berries with Mascarpone Cream, Chocolate Soil, Banana Cake and Olive Oil Ice Cream

(Moscato Rosa, Franz Haas, 2011)

One of the most unique and innovative flavours of ice cream we have ever come across, the olive oil ice cream is just the right amount of sweet and creamy, paired with crunchy chocolate soil that isn’t overly sweet and is topped off with juicy sweet and sour berries, making this dish easily one of the best desserts we’ve tried.

Some of the dishes were also paired with aged gold, silver and red standard Balsamic Vinegar from Emilia Romagna, of which the restaurant has an impressive collection and Gabriele Rizzardi explained the intricate production process, how they are classified into their categories and how he personally carries them to Singapore as they are not sold here and cannot be bought in bulk.

We felt particularly lucky knowing that the champagne, red and white wines that were plied to us one after the other, have equally exclusive histories – most of them originating from top-tier vineyards that produce a limited 3500 to 4500 bottles a year.

What adds to the authenticity and uniqueness of Buona Terra, apart from the food, of course, is the fact that the restaurant’s experts are Italians themselves. In addition to this fact, even the waiters, who are from various countries, have extensive knowledge of the dishes, wines and champagnes and in the event that either the chef or sommelier are busy, you will never find yourself lacking in any way during your dining experience.

 

Buona Terra is located at 29 Scotts Road and is open Monday to Saturday from 6:30pm to 10:30pm and is closed on Sundays.

 

Diya-Maya Tsering Bhalla