It’s not a place to visit if you’re craving the usual pizza and pasta. Instead, it offers a fresh take on the traditional grigliata, whereby families gather round the charcoal grill in the summertime, cooking and feasting in a convivial manner.

Naturally, when I received news that it’d opened in a second location at none other than my favourite neighbourhood in Singapore — Katong — I was more than thrilled to visit.

Just like its first outpost in Tanjong Pagar, Griglia Katong serves up rustic yet refined Italian flavours on sharing plates, featuring fire-kissed produce from the land, sea, and garden.

The 34-seater space is decked with soft, sensual lighting and rustic warm tones, making it perfect for both intimate dates and larger groups.

I always recommend starting off with a selection of finger-food snacks like the Mortadella Mousse (S$6), Prawn Tartare (S$7), or even Brisket Slider (S$8).

I always try my hardest to go easy on the bread served at Italian restaurants, but in this case, the House-made Foccacia (S$8) with garlic and rosemary was a force to be reckoned with. It was soft, springy, and wonderfully charred, with a crisp yet chewy crust, and when dipped into extra virgin olive oil, proved irresistible.

As for starters, the Sicilian Tomatoes (S$19) generously seasoned with aromatic wild oregano and topped with Tarallo bread crumble, would sit well with those who prefer something lighter and more palate-cleansing.

However, I felt that it paled in comparison to the Beef Tartare (S$22), comprising marinated diced beef crowned with Beluga capers and smoked quail eggs. You’re meant to wrap it up with the accompanying fresh romaine lettuce leaves — sorta like those Asian lettuce wraps.

But it was the Hokkaido Scallops (S$28) with crunchy white corn — sweet, smoky, and fresh-tasting in all the right ways — that really stole the show.

If you fancy the flavours of lasagna (but without the carbs), the Baked Eggplant (S$24) comes smothered in an umami-rich tomato sauce with just the right amount of buffalo mozzarella.

No visit to Griglia is complete without ordering at least one pasta dish, and you should let it be the Fusilli “Monograno Felicetti” (S$32), which pairs perfectly al dente pasta with jumbo crab, ‘Nduja (spicy salami), and Calabrian chill.

It was delightfully spicy, piquant, and smoky — I couldn’t get enough.

I may or may not have behaved like a kid in a candy shop when the array of sides were served, starring crowd favourites like the Potato Purée (S$11) with horseradish and smoked caciocavallo (cheese) bits; crunchy Romaine Lettuce (S$12); and the wildly popular Charcoal Grilled Baby Corn (S$12).

The Sautéed Kale (S$12) dressed with white balsamico, however, is the one side I have a soft spot for.

This also signalled the arrival of the savoury charcoal-grilled mains, all of which can feed two diners or more. If it’s seafood you’re after, treat yourself to the Half Spanish Turbot (S$78), which boasts firm, succulent, and mildly sweet flesh — no wonder it’s referred to as ‘King of the Sea”!

Other meatier options include Bone-in Angus Striploin (S$88), Suckling Pig Porchetta (S$98), and even a hulking 200 Days Grain Fed Angus Beef Prime Rib ‘Costata’ (S$298) for larger groups of four to five people.

The Tuscan-inspired 30 Days Dry Aged Porterhouse ‘Fiorentina’ (S$158) is my top pick, because it’s so, so hard not to swoon over those perfectly pink and flavourful slices of beef (oh, and the beautifully charred crust is a bonus).

Don’t forget the best part — the extra tender meat and fatty bits along the bone.

As for drinks, you can choose from a well-curated selection of wines from renowned Italian regions, or hit up the in-house bar for signature cocktails like the refreshing Tropica Spritzer (S$18) and classic Negroni (S$18).

If you’ve still got room for dessert, there’s always the Nocciolamisu (S$14), a rich and indulgent mascarpone-forward tiramisu spiked with Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur).

The fun-to-eat Sicillian Cannoli (S$4 per piece) stuffed with chocolate and ricotta, and rolled with crushed pistachios, is ideal for those with a real sweet tooth. Otherwise, cleanse your palate (and end the evening on a high) with the Sgroppino (S$18), zesty lemon sorbet and vodka topped off with prosecco.

So, easties, what are you waiting for? A hearty Italian fireside feast that’ll sweep you off your feet awaits!

Reservations can be made here.

Griglia (Katong)
Facebook | Instagram | Website
139 East Coast Road, Singapore 428829
5.30pm–11pm (Tue to Thu), 12pm—3pm, 5.30pm–11pm (Fri to Sun), Closed on Mon

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Photos by Christabel Tan

The post Be transported to summer in Italy at popular restaurant Griglia’s second outpost in Katong as you feast on charcoal-grilled steaks, spicy crab pasta, hazelnut tiramisu & more appeared first on Confirm Good.

Instead of the usual pizza and pasta, the restaurant specialises in grigliata, a traditional Italian summertime tradition of cooking over a flaming grill.

Since I won’t be able to fulfil my dreams of visiting Italy in the summer anytime soon, I was more than happy to eat my share of Griglia’s charcoal-grilled specialities, which are served as sharing-style plates.

The restaurant itself boasts an atmosphere that is cosy and inviting, yet elegant, with warm wood finishes, plush leather seats, and an open kitchen with a custom-made charcoal grill. Pretty ideal for both intimate dates and chill nights out with friends!

Start off with a selection of finger food, otherwise known as cicchetti, a Venetian type of tapas, that is best enjoyed without cutlery.

Look forward to Confit Tomatoes (S$4) with spiced, crisp house-made sourdough bread and avocado; Smoked Eel (S$8) on toasted buttery brioche with trout roe and horseradish; and my favourite of the lot, Beef Tartare (S$6), bite-sized beef tartare and confit egg in crisp taco shells, finished with parmigiano shavings.

The menu features three categories, with each inspired by the garden, land, and sea.

Have you ever had an Italian meal served without bread? That should never be a thing, so just go ahead and order the crusty Rustic Bread (S$8), served with a sweet, subtly tangy Piennolo tomato sauce from Naples, and a side of Apulian extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

The meticulously crafted Eggplant (S$19), comprising layers of eggplant, Roma tomatoes, and basil on creamy smoked caciocavallo (a cheese from Southern Italy) fondue, was a hit at the table, with many praising the delicate balance of flavours and textures.

Another textural delight came in the form of the Romanesco (S$14), paired with soft and creamy stracchino (an Italian cheese made of cow’s milk), bottarga (salted, cured fish roe), and crunchy hazelnuts. It fell flat, unfortunately, in comparison to the more complex Eggplant.

Moving on to plates from the land, I almost exclaimed out loud when we were served the grilled Bone Marrow (S$26) with a layer of parmesan crust. Just look at that beauty!

You are supposed to scoop up the creamy bone marrow and savour it with radish and salsa verde crostini. Airy parmesan shavings take it to a whole new level, making for more than a couple of perfect bites.

We also got to try the House-Made Pappardelle (S$26), consisting of long strands of pappardelle that was unfortunately a tad too al dente, though the tender braised pork jowl and crisp guanciale were its saving grace.

I preferred the “sea” pasta option — Charcoal Grilled Fusilli (S$22) with freshly-grilled octopus and a nduja (spiced salami) dressing gently grilled over the open flame, yielding a smoky, intensely flavoured pasta dish that almost everyone showered praises on.

Next, it was finally time to tackle the Open Fire Grill section, which commenced with an rustic-looking array of sides, including Roasted Potatoes (S$10), Charcoal Grilled Baby Corn (S$10) with brown butter sabayon, and some seriously addictive Sautéed Kale (S$12) tossed in a mildly sweet white balsamico, which left me pleasantly surprised.

One of the newer additions to the Griglia menu is the Whole Mediterranean Seabass (S$78); it is seasoned simply and cooked over the flame, allowing its natural sweetness to shine. Although some of my other dining partners couldn’t stop going for seconds of the tender and flaky fish, it was the meat I had my eye on.

Nothing gets me more excited than a beautiful steak, and the 30 Days Dry Aged Porterhouse ‘Fiorentina’ (S$158) was absolutely stunning, in more ways than one.

Florentine style steak is dry-aged for 30 days and tenderly cooked over the open fire grill. Don’t be taken aback by the vivid red hues of the meat — it is, according to the chef, how a “well-aged medium steak” should look like, and boy was every bite sublime!

Do note that the steak is a serving for two, but it can easily feed four diners, especially if you’re ordering other small plates to share.

It’s up to you to make dessert an equally indulgent affair, so go ahead and order crowd favourites like the Cappuccinomisu (S$12), a cappuccino tiramisu with buffalo mascarpone and port wine, topped off with a fluffy cappuccino foam.

I was, however, more drawn towards the Capri in a Cake (S$14), soft Italian sweet cake with intensely tart lemon curd made from a rich limoncello and fresh Amalfi lemon juice, paired with a creamy vanilla gelato with extra virgin olive oil on the side.

As a sucker for lemons (and anything sour), I also had to end off with a digestif of Limoncello, a classic Italian lemon liqueur made with lemons from the Amalfi Coast.

All things considered, a meal at Griglia is a communal experience filled with conviviality and warm Italian hospitality — you’ll find yourself clinking glasses of wine and laughing with your friends and family throughout the evening!

Reservations can be made here.

Griglia
Facebook | Instagram | Website
???? 37 Craig Road #01-01, Singapore 089675
???? 12pm—3pm, 6pm–11pm (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mon

For more lifestyle updates like this, subscribe to our Telegram channel at @confirmgood.

Photos by Christabel Tan

The post Live out your Italian summer dreams at Griglia as you savour steaks grilled over an open flame, creamy bone marrow toasts, lemon olive oil cake & more appeared first on Confirm Good.