In the mood for an evening of fine wines and Italian cuisine unlike any other?
You’re in for an experience that’ll sweep you off your feet at Gotti Italiano, the newest Italian restaurant and cocktail bar on the block in Telok Ayer.
Tucked away in Amoy Street, the eponymous restaurant, which brands itself “intimately theatrical and passionately loud”, celebrates the life of John Joseph Gotti, an American gangster and boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City.
Diners can look forward to swanky, plush interiors alongside a specially curated menu, which combines the aromas and flavours of Napoli with the art of Milanese mixology.
Start off with antipasti, or the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal (AKA appetisers or starters).
Fans of cheese must, must order the Burratina (S$32), Artigiana burrata from Puglia with olive oil caviar and heirloom tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic and Genovese basil oil.
I always enjoy pulling the mound of burrata apart to reveal a gloriously soft and creamy interior — it is a dairy-induced dream come true!
As someone who loves tartare (both the beef and seafood versions), I adored the Japanese-Italian Tartare Di Gamberi Rossi (S$26), a light yet flavour-packed tartare of sweet Silician red prawns and wakame topped with ikura.
Pair your appetisers with a selection of aperitivo (pre-meal drinks) that “the Gambino mafia would have imbibed on, while plotting and scheming on the hours and nights to come”.
You won’t go wrong with the tangy, refreshing, and citrus-forward Capo Limoncello (S$22), which celebrates the iconic Italian lemon liqueur.
When it comes to the wonderful world of pasta, it’s hard not to be tempted by crowd-pleasing options like the Gnocchi (S$26), Arrabiata (S$22), and Ravioli Di Zucca (S$28), a warming roasted pumpkin and ricotta number.
However, there’s no better time than now to enjoy the Guanciale Di Manzo (S$32), homemade fusilli with red wine braised wagyu beef cheek that’s been slow-cooked for 12 hours, yielding rich, fork-tender meat that will make you swoon. Comfort food at its finest!
Pair it with a glass of red wine from the restaurant’s extensive wine menu, and you’re all set.
As for the mains, look at the Secondi section of the menu, which features meat and seafood dishes prepared using a charcoal grill.
If you’re in the mood for pork, the indulgent Maiale Iberico (S$36) comprises chargrilled Spanish iberico pork, carrot puree, and white onion chutney.
Although I enjoyed the charred exterior, the meat-to-fat ratio was very off, rendering the entire dish a tad too greasy and cloying. I would’ve also preferred more carrot puree and onion chutney to balance out the overall richness.
However, we hear the restaurant will be bringing in a better, more premium quality of iberico pork from a different supplier, so you can look forward to a newly revamped Maiale Iberico when you visit!
The highlight of the entire meal, for me, was the Branzino Livornese (S$38), ocean sea bass and seasonal vegetables in the chef’s signature tomato-based livornese sauce. I’m not kidding when I say that this is one of the best fish dishes I’ve tasted in a long time.
The fish was exceedingly fresh, with crisp skin, and spectacularly tender, glistening meat that broke apart with a mere prod of the fork. Pair it with the bright, tangy tomato sauce (along with crushed pistachios for texture), and enjoy.
Gotti Italiano recommends pairing your fish with the Victoria DiGiorgio (S$26), an Italian twist on the White Russian consisting of Bianco Amaretto (white almond liquer), rum, and fresh pineapple.
Fun fact: it’s named after John Gotti’s half-Italian and half-Russian wife, Victoria DiGiorgio, whom he met at a bar in 1958 — hence the description “stunning and cunning”.
No meal here is complete without ordering one of Chef Ilham’s signature Sicilian-inspired neapolitan pizzas, all of which are double-proofed for 36 hours.
Although I’d typically go for the extra cheesy Quattro Formaggi (S$32) or the beef cheek ragu-topped Mr Gotti (S$36), the vegetarian-friendly Ricotta di Zucca (S$32) was surprisingly up my alley!
Although I enjoyed the harmonious combination of roasted butternut pumpkin, caramelised onions, fresh ricotta cheese, and genovese basil pesto, it was the pizza dough that truly stood out. The crust was charred to perfection, in all its crisp, puffy, and blistered glory — let’s just say I couldn’t get enough.
There’s no better pairing for pizza than The Wise Guy (S$26), a spin on the classic gin martini, comprising a smooth fat-washed gin with traces of olive oil and pecorino.
If you end the meal with a Dolce Fatti (sweet dessert) or two, the Tiramisu (S$16) should be the obvious choice. Lovingly prepared with “Grandma’s recipe” and spiked with amaretto liqueur, the layers of savioardi biscuit and mascarpone cream were sweet (just right), creamy, and silky. A stunning tiramisu, in my books.
Pair it with the Teflon Don (S$28), a smooth and velvety milk clarified rendition of the classic negroni. I’m not a big negroni drinker, but due to the absence of bitter Campari in this cocktail, I downed every last drop.
Gotti Italiano describes itself as “unforgettable and untranslatable”, which I agree with — the food and ambience speaks for themselves.
Ready to take date night to the next level? Reservations can be made here.
Gotti Italiano
Instagram | Website
???? 78 Amoy St, Singapore 069897
???? 11.30am–2.30pm, 6pm–9.30pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨