Are you an Italian food connoisseur? I have the perfect place in mind for you, if you’re just like me.
As an avid fan of Italian cuisine, I would occasionally get disappointed by the quality of food served outside, until I found Bacino Italian Bistro, my one true love.
Frankly speaking, there was a time I dreaded eating out, for fear of disappointment, and turned to meal-prepping at home, but this Italian bistro helped me regain my confidence for eating out.
I recall this day, to celebrate my sister’s tenth birthday, our entire family of ten headed out to the restaurant to celebrate her.
There was just something about this restaurant that made me so curious. It wasn’t the hunger from work; it was more of a sixth sense about how this restaurant would change my taste buds forever.
We started off with the Alici Marinate (S$25), a cold appetiser of fresh anchovies, marinated with white vinegar and lemon.
I was cautious, as fish is a seafood, I constantly have to carefully tread on for the history of bones stuck in my throat (my colleagues are laughing right now because it has become a running joke in the office).
I took a small bite to test if there were any parts of this small fish that I had to be wary of. The first bite went well, then the second, third, and then I had to get a second serving. I really enjoyed the combination of the lemon and white vinegar, and how it took off the slightly fishy taste anchovies typically have.
Honestly, even a fish bone from this dish would be worth it.
The second cold appetiser served was 300g of Burrata (S$40), atop cooked spinach. I took the liberty to slice the burrata, and I watched as the gooey goodness unfolded onto the spinach beneath — one of my all-time favourite vegetables.
For the uninitiated, burrata has a smooth, creamy taste, sort of like mozzarella, but richer, creamier, with a slight buttery note, and more layers to unveil.
Topped with the slightly salted spinach, dare I say, it brings out the flavour of the burrata even more. If you’ve ever had burrata but find my writing exaggerated, it is clearly because you haven’t tried the bistro’s version.
The third appetiser is the Porchetta (S$28), a home-made roasted pork belly dish. The meat is juicy and savoury, and the crust is thin and crispy. Dip all of that in Bacino’s special chili sauce, and let the fragrance fill your mouth.
Before I could even dig into my mains, I was already full from the generous portion of appetisers we’ve ordered. But nothing can stop me from a good ol’ plate of pasta.
As a neophiliac, I always like to try out new dishes to satisfy my curiosity and to further nurture a discerning palate. I skimmed through the menu and was blind-sighted by this dish that was calling out to me.
And I know I made the best choice ever with this Spaghetti Alla Bottarga (S$45), a comforting plate of pasta cooked in crab bisque with prawn, cherry tomato, and cured salted fish roe.
By now, it is pretty obvious that I am huge on seafood, so my expectations were high. Safe to say, this dish didn’t fail me one bit. The rich, creamy, fresh, and sweet taste of the crab bisque, paired with the tenderness of the prawns, and Al dente pasta, was just pure perfection.
Not exaggerating, but I think of this dish at least twice a week. Maybe it’s the fact that I rarely find food that leaves an impression on me these days, or maybe it’s because this comforting plate of pasta just tastes really homely and authentic.
With both the owner and head chef being from Italy themselves, the authenticity of Bacino’s food is unrivalled anywhere in Singapore.
I’m definitely heading down again, on my next payday, to explore their extensive menu, including wood-fired pizzas, authentic tiramisu, and more, even further.
Do note that Bacino Italian Bistro will be closed at its current East Coast outlet from 19 October 2025, and will reopen at Pasir Panjang in November 2025. Stay tuned to their social media to find out more!
You, and I, here on Friday night?
Bacino Italian Bistro
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📍 214 East Coast Road, Singapore 428913
🕒 4–11pm (Mon to Thu), 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30pm–11pm (Fri to Sun)
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Photos by Letresa Yap.
