Tanjong Pagar has such a vibrant mix of cuisine available in the area. Whether you’re craving Japanese, Korean, Chinese, or Italian, there’s definitely something for you here.
Well, the neighbourhood has welcomed a brand new tenant and it’s none other than Fortuna. That’s right, the popular Italian restaurant from Sydney has finally opened their first outlet in Singapore! Fun fact: they’re also the first Sicilian-Neapolitan restaurant in Singapore.
Fortuna is helmed by three very young (and very charming) chefs and as you enter the restaurant, you’ll feel as though you have entered into their home. It’s cosy, vibrant, and inviting, just like any Italian home would be.
The restaurant boasts a menu that showcases the best and authentic flavours of Sicily and Napoli with dishes like homemade spaghetti in a seafood bisque topped with prawns as well as a ‘1,000 layer’ lasagna, and a deep fried pizza — you read that right.
Our meal started with the Pane Di Casa (S$12) which is a wood fired bread served with salmoriglio — a rustic Sicilian sauce typically made with lemon, olive oil and herbs. I loved that the bread was so crispy on the outside and airy on the inside. Paired with the creamy burrata cheese and it was simply amazing.
Interestingly, the Pane Di Casa also comes with a house-made chilli oil — yup that’s right, even I was surprised. The chilli had a nice spicy kick to it and tasted very much like lao gan ma. Who knew Italians could handle their spice so well?
Up next was the Cuppo Di Pesce (S$25) AKA fried calamari served with two dipping sauces — a garlic lemon dressing and a salumi Xo mayo. I personally preferred the creamy salumi Xo mayo as it really elevated the flavours of the squid, making it super addictive to munch on. The calamari was also fried to a crisp, giving each bite an oh so satisfying crunch. For something lighter and more refreshing, the lemon garlic dressing is right up your alley.
I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot resist a good plate of pasta — more specifically Lasagna. So, imagine my excitement when I saw it on the menu. Although, if you’re expecting to see the typical tomato-based lasagna, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
You guessed it, Fortuna’s ‘1,000’ Layers Lasagna (S$36) is more cream-base with pesto di pistachio, bechamel and moradella, and kinda resembles a slice of toast. And before you say anything, no the lasanga does not have 1,000 layers. But what it does have is four-evenly crisp sides, which is the best part to lasagna.
Fun fact: this ‘1,000’ Layer Lasagna was actually inspired by Chef Egon’s mother, who used to scold him whenever he asked for more of the crispy sides — how cute is that!
On the pasta front, we also got to try the Malfade (S$34) which features a robust ragout that has been slow cooked for 24 hours, along with burnt provolone cheese and of course, the Fortuna chilli oil. The dish is topped with fresh succulent prawn which kinda reminded men of our local hokkien mee.
Other mains on the menu include the Pollo Marinara (S$34) which comprises half roasted chicken, olives and capers, drenched in a tangy marinara sauce.
But the real star of the show here are their house-made pizzas. If you love your pizzas extra cheesy then you should definitely go for the Not Just A 4 Cheeses Pizza (from S$29).
This one is really cheese overload, but if you love cheese like I do, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it. It comprises a mix of cheeses like fior de latte, parmesan, ricotta and gorgonzola dolce, which is known to be a pungent cheese, kinda like blue cheese. So, if you’re not a fan of blue cheese, maybe you should skip this one.
That said, the fig compote adds a refreshing burst of sweetness that really helps to make the pizza less heavy and jelak. It also helps to mask some of the aroma of the Gorgonzola cheese. The parmesan cheese chip at the top is truly the icing on the cake (or pizza) as it makes it a satisfying crunchy bite.
But of course, it would be a crime if we visited Fortuna without trying their famous fried pizza, Gambero & Stracciata (S$38). It comprises sundried tomatoes, pesto di pistachio, cured egg yolk and lemon zest.
The tomatoes add a nice sweetness to the dish, while the pesto and lemon zest add a nice refreshing zing to it which is great as it makes the pizza less jelak (especially after everything we ate).
The pizza dough isn’t as crispy as you would expect from something that has been fried. Instead, it has a you tiao-like texture and consistency — chewy and crispy.
But of course, no meal at an Italian restaurant is complete without desserts. And you best bet we had the quintessential Italian dessert, Tiramisu or as Fortuna calls it, Fortunamisu (S$18) a go. It was creamy and chocolatey thanks to the chocolate crumble which added a nice crunch into the mix. Definitely one of the better versions of tiramisu I’ve tasted.
The next time I’m craving Italian, I know where to go to next. There’s so many more dishes on the menu that I’m really intrigued to try!
Which pizza will you be getting?
Fortuna
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📍 7 Craig Road Singapore 089667
🕑 12pm–2.30pm, 5.30pm–9.30pm (Sun to Thu), 12pm–2.30pm, 5.30pm–10.30pm (Fri & Sat)
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Photos by Marcus Leong
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