Bontá

Bontá Italian Restaurant & Bar
207 River Valley Road
UE Square, River Wing #01-61
Tel: 6333-8875

Whilst there seems to be some sort of exodus from Garibaldi, their staff and more specifically their wait staff don’t disappear from the food and beverage scene. The most recent place that they have been spotted or have turned up at is the new Italian restaurant, Bontá.

My initial excitement was overtaken by some scepticism when I realised where the restaurant was located. Over the past two years or so, I’ve seen this corner unit change numerous hands … so will this place survive the bad luck that has seemed to have overcast this place? Well… I think it would.

The service is great! They make dining out for the uninitiated friendly. Backed by a good knowledge of the menu and they make most of the menu sound delicious and they have a warmness that would put anyone at ease.

Among the starters, we had the potato and wild mushroom soup was nothing much to write home about, but the foie gras was very well prepared, nice and pink in the centre. But I would say, be bold and have the sardines and if that is a little too fishy for you, the ocean trout crab roll with avocado is also a good choice as assured by the waiter, ‘if you don’t like it I’ll return it and bring you something else’. And he was right, it was smooth in my mouth and the rich tasting ocean trout matched the milder crab.

The homemade pappardelle, braised oxtail in arrabiata sauce was yummy. The oxtail benefited form the long slow braising process, and together with the sauce, it beautifully coated the yellow ribbons of pappardelle.

The goose liver ravioli was indulgent, but not for the faint-hearted. Squares of foie gras enfolded between pasta sheets and covered with a thick creamy cheese sauce… good but trust me when I say it is rich.

The other mains of seafood risotto and lamb chops with eggplant puree, sweet and sour shallot, tomato salsa and balsamic glaze were good.

Other high recommended dishes here are their lobster dishes – lobster tartare and angelhair – because they have a lobster tank, so they are murdered on your order. We skipped this and dessert this time, but I reckon I would probably return. So maybe this place has a good fighting chance of turning the tide of bad luck that has shadowed its predecessors. Oh and they serve really good bread, that alone is worth a return visit.