On a scorching summer day, which is basically most days in Singapore, there’s a certain comfort in the carb combo of pizzas and pastas. In an air-conditioned place, of course.
Enter La Scale Ristorante, the newest dining spot to arrive at The Capitol Kempinski Singapore’s Arcade, after German concepts Berthold Delikatessen and Frieda Restaurant, the retro-themed American diner Capitol Milk Bar, and Thai joint Chalerm Thai. Just like its neighbors, the Italian restaurant aims for a casual but sleek vibe. Think splashes of green and gold, along with rustic details like red brick walls and a brick fire oven, under a tall skylight.
The name itself comes from Milan’s La Scala Opera House, the world famous home of Italian opera and one of the city’s big tourist attractions. Inaugurated in 1778, the theater has seen performers like Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini take its stage, and it’s no coincidence that the restaurant named after it resides on the grounds of Capitol Theatre.
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You won’t hear any singing here, but what you will get is hearty, homely Italian fare, starting with appetizers like a burrata rocket salad ($18) and a thin crust focaccia pizza with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, sea salt, and crescenza cheese ($15).
For stomach-warming broth, try the Zuppa Pescatrice ($16), a seafood stew swimming with squid, mussels, prawns, and clams, or the Zuppa di Funghi ($13), otherwise known as mushroom soup.
Mains are kept simple and classic, with options such as the traditional lasagne ($22) with meat ragout and the Parmigiana de Melanzane ($13), a casserole made of pan-fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and parmesan.
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Of course, pastas are on the menu, too, in variations like Linguini Nero di Mare ($26), a plate of squid ink pasta with mussels, squid, clams, prawns, and crayfish; Gnocchi Mammoli ($22) with purple potato gnocchi chunks in tomato sauce; and Ravioli Delicati ($20) filled with ricotta and spinach, in a butter and sage sauce.
Luckily, the pizzas come on thin crusts here, so you can make room in your stomach to share one for the table. Signatures include Pizza Calabrese ($26), a no-frills pie spread with tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, black olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, and Pizza Margherita ($22), the straightforward mozzarella and basil combination you can’t go wrong with.
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For dessert, choose between the cup of tiramisu ($14) or the mini cannolis ($14) piped with ricotta and candied fruit chocolate for a creamy yet light end to the meal.
FIND IT:
La Scala Ristorante is at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski Singapore, 13 Stamford Rd.
Daily 11:30am-2:30pm & 6pm-10:30pm.
MRT: City Hall