I am aware that a trip to Italy is long overdue, which makes discovering hidden gems serving authentic Italian fare all the more exciting. For instance, you may have heard of the popular Latteria Mozzarella Bar, one of the buzziest restaurants in the heart of Duxton Hill.
Its sister restaurant, however, is a lot more underrated.
Thirty9, which is very fittingly named, given its location on 39 Duxton Hill and Italy’s country code, dishes up classic Italian-Mediterranean fare that may just transport you to the streets of Italy.
If you prefer to dine amidst fairy lights and lush greenery in a breezy al fresco setting, look no further than the veranda. Otherwise, stick to the cosy interior, which exudes the warmth of a rustic trattoria.
Like with all hearty Italian meals, you’ll get a basket of complimentary Mini Panini, Foccacia, and Grissini paired with quality Italian olive oil to graze on, though I would recommend not eating too much.
Start off with appetisers like the Burratina (S$29). Instead of the usual balsamic vinegar and rocket leaves, the fresh, milky-tasting cheese is served on a bed of Soncino salad with green asparagus, peppers, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and a creamy, mildly salty anchovy sauce.
The Grilled Octopus (S$32) with lemon chickpea mash, paprika sauce, and crispy chorizo is also a good option if you’re seeking something “meatier”.
After that, take your pick from a selection of handcrafted Napoli-style pizzas and try something different for a change, like the Genovese (S$30), a summery blend of basil pesto, mozzarella, red prawns, creamy mascarpone, potato, and sun-dried tomato.
If you’ve always been averse towards the idea of prawns on pizza, this will change your mind.
As much as I would’ve loved to snack on pizza all evening long, it was the pastas that truly stole the show.
The Homemade Ravioli Del Plin (S$32) filled with spinach, ricotta cheese, and butter, finished off with Parmigiano Reggiano and lemon zest, was simple yet oh-so satisfying. It’s a dish I see myself revisiting for.
If bolder and heavier flavours are more up your alley, go for the Maltagliati Alla Boscaiola (S$34), an earthy, smoky, and intensely flavourful blend of mushrooms with homemade sausage, white wine, and black truffle.
Fun fact: maltagliata, which translates to “poorly cut” in Italian, refers to the irregularly shaped pieces of flat pasta you get. Not the most aesthetic, but definitely ideal for soaking up all that decadent sauce.
As for mains, save some room (okay, a lot of room) for the unique Whole Red Snapper Casserole (S$68), comprising tender whole fish and seasonal seafood in a comforting cacciucco, or tomato-based stew.
The entire thing is enveloped in delicate pizza dough, which can be used to mop up the broth. All I can say is that you’ll definitely need to visit in a group for this!
Meat lovers will probably enjoy the Braciola Di Maiale (S$48), grilled Berkshire pork chop with figs and marsala, that was unfortunately a tad too sweet for my liking.
Alternatively, going with one of the charcoal-grilled steaks, such as the Bistecca Di Manzo (beef ribeye, S$68), may be a better option, especially if you plan to order a bottle of red wine.
I may not have the biggest sweet tooth, but dessert at an Italian restaurant is always something worth looking forward to.
End the meal with indulgent desserts like the Millefoglie (S$16) better known as mille-feuille, flaky puff pastry layered with strawberries and a tart lemon custard.
Chocolate lovers will probably adore the Cannoli Sicilliani (S$16), traditional tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate, and for a bit of a zesty kick, candied oranges.
If you’ve only got room for one dessert, let it be the delightful Tiramisù Thirty9 (S$16), which incorporates Amaretto Disaronno (almond liqueur) for a sweet, nutty, and creamy finish to the meal.
Be it date night, dinner with friends, or even a business luncheon, you’re all set for a fabulous Italian feast!
Thirty9
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📍 39 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089617
🕑 12pm—2.30pm, 4pm–11pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨????