Osteria Mozza, Hilton Singapore Orchard
Words: Matt Brown
Photos: Monica Tindall
I have to admit that since moving to Singapore almost a year ago, I have been so enamoured with the variety of brilliant food available at hawker centres that I really have not yet explored much of the city’s other forms of food. Luckily, once in a while, my intrepid editor pops down from KL, and I can stretch my wings a little bit – with it pretty much guaranteed that I’ll love what I’m eating because it’s for The Yum List.
Such is the case with Osteria Mozza, located on the fifth floor of the Hilton Singapore Orchard. It feels like an oasis above the bustling Orchard Road, which cannot be seen or heard from its position, surrounded by a gorgeous garden and enjoying a well-designed space that allows diners to eat indoors with the air conditioning and classic modern decor, or out on the alfresco terrace, enjoying the natural light and greenery.
The only Asian outpost of its Los Angeles MICHELIN-starred namesake, Osteria Mozza is the brainchild of celebrated chef Nancy Silverton, who has been called the Goddess of the Delicious by her fans and is credited with introducing sourdough and artisan bread to the US. Executive Chef Peter Birks and his dedicated team work hard to ensure that every item on the menu will bring you back, and luckily for us, our visit featured a collection of their greatest hits to sample from this fusion of Tuscan and Californian cuisine.
Our experience begins with the serving of some very pretty Bellini Affogatos, which are light and sweet and a wonderful palate awakener on any hot Singaporean day. This drink features white peach sorbeto, peach liqueur and prosecco and did not last long. Our canapes for this meal are Love Sticks (S$8 each), which are prosciutto-wrapped grissini and come with the best truffle butter I have had in a very long time.
The next dish is the famous Roasted Chicken Salad (SGD 26), and it is easy to understand why Nancy Silverton’s salad has made it around the world for pride of place on the menu here. A salad done right is something sublime, and the combination of Napa cabbage, olives, grain mustard and tender chicken are all in perfect proportion. It fed the three of us quite heartily and I made a mental note that this will be something I have again (naturally without sharing it next time).
In the spirit of the season, we are then presented with one of the Christmas-inspired dishes at Osteria Mozza this year, which is the Festive Turkey Sandwich (SGD 35). Again, something you’ll notice when dining here is how effortlessly everything seems to have been created, and yet obviously a lot of knowledge and talent are behind the brilliant execution of each recipe. The turkey is plentiful and not in any way dry, making its placement with prosciutto, pickles and Swiss cheese a tasty and fulfilling way to casually celebrate Christmas. As with the salad, this is easily shared and everyone will be quite happy with their portion.
From the pizzas on the menu, we have the Margherita (SGD 34) and the Fennel Sausage (SGD 40). A pizza is only ever as good as its base, and these two demonstrate just how well the kitchen knows its pizza bases at Osteria Mozza. The Margherita is a classic, with mozzarella, tomato and basil beautifully laid out on a sourdough base. The Fennel Sausage has lots of flavour with its housemade sausage pieces decorating another beautiful base and combined with scallion, red onion and panna cream.
A glass of wine seems an appropriate companion during our mains, so we have a glass of Libradi-Ciro Rosato (SGD 23 a glass, SGD 115 a bottle). Using 100% Italian Gaglioppo grapes, this is a delicate still wine that delivers notes of raspberry, cherry and orange zest and is ideal for sipping chilled in our city’s constant warm weather.
Dessert is another Christmas treat—Butterscotch Budino (SGD 20). This seemingly simple concoction of caramel sauce, crème fraiche, and Maldon sea salt comes with a couple of fried rosemary polenta cookies topped with toasted pine nuts. We were instantly transported to a winter wonderland by the fireplace, savouring each spoonful of nostalgic Christmas flavour.
The staff at Osteria Mozza are all so friendly and take great care to ensure you never have to wait for a thing. This, combined with the restaurant’s overall atmosphere, which is casual and a place that appreciates the good things in life, makes for a lovely meal experience for any occasion. I am now eagerly awaiting anything that remotely resembles an ‘occasion’ so I can get a group together and go back; given how quickly the place filled up for a Sunday lunch, it’s clear that I’m not the only one seeking reasons to return.
Reasons to visit Osteria Mozza: lovely green corner in the heart of Orchard; simple Italian fare done well; we’ll return for the Roasted Chicken Salad, Fennel Sausage & Butterscotch Budino.
Osteria Mozza
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5, 333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
osteriamozza.com.sg/concept
Link to Osteria Mozza on Google Maps
All prices are in Singapore dollars and subject to service charges and prevailing GST.
Osteria Mozza Opening Hours
Lunch – Monday to Sunday – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Dinner – Monday to Sunday – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Aperitivo – Monday to Friday – 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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