Just a stone's throw away from the popular Clarke Quay, it is a wonder how Spizzico has remained the little secret that it is, shared only by the privileged few. Housed within UE Square Shopping Mall, along one of the main arteries of the city, Clemenceau Avenue , it is a convenient location for both the office crowd and aficionados of Italian cuisine.

• The Vibe
  Able to accommodate only about 24 and 28 diners indoors and al fresco respectively in its small premises, one can expect to dine in a cozy setting, enjoying an intimate business lunch or an amorous dinner. With its tables clothed in pristine white and touches of blue, a pseudo fine-dining setting is achieved, sans the exorbitant prices.

• The Food
  To cater to the executives from the offices in the area, Spizzico offers affordable set lunches at $17.90++ and $25.90++ without compromising on quality or quantity. The latter, Executive Set Lunch, gives you a choice of appetiser and main course, together with their signature Tiramisu and coffee/tea.

  With a glass of Chardonnay, start your meal with appetising delights such as the Funghi Trifolati ($15) and Fegato D'oca Con Salsa Di Limoncello ($22), comprising of sauteed portobello mushrooms and pan-fried foie gras respectively. Served elegantly on a bed of greens, mushrooms in the former were well-infused with herbs and garlic, giving it a lightly charred aroma, an unlikely harmony of bitter-savoury flavours. The silky foie gras was delicately seared with lemon liquor, surprising the diner with its semi-sweet essence and crisp exterior.

  One cannot help but applaud efforts of owner and executive chef, Gabriele Galdi, for his thoughtful menu and creations. The pasta section alone boasts a selection of 16 different choices, not including main courses and risottos. Have your lamb rack the Spizzico way with their Costolette Di Agnello Ai Balsamico E Rosmarino ($34), drizzled with a refreshing sauce made with balsamic vinegar, red wine and rosemary. A must-try, the lamb was unimaginably tender and had none of the musty taste that lamb can sometimes have. Since the restaurant replaces their seafood every day, one can be sure of the freshness of prawns and scallops in their Risotto Alla Zafferano E Broccoli ($19). Look beyond its somewhat mushy appearance and indulge in the fragrance of the Arborio Italian rice with its hint of saffron, topped with generous amounts of seafood and broccoli.

  End your meal sweetly with their range of desserts or Italian ice cream. However, Spizzico's version of the ubiquitous Tiramisu ($9) was slightly too creamy and lacking the alcoholic vivacity.

• The Service
  Even when the restaurant is slightly shorthanded, diners are pampered with the warm hospitality of the staff, attentive with their needs such as refilling their glasses and providing them with fresh bread and olive oil as they wait for their order.

SD Food Advisor take on Spizzico
As the kitchen is relatively small, it might be difficult to finish your meal within your stipulated lunch hour if there is a crowd. On the other hand, the longer waiting time is justified by the fact that the food are all freshly prepared to order, especially the pasta, so you know you can expect nothing but the best. The passion for Italian cuisine can truly be felt at Spizzico and one can expect quality and authenticity, undeterred by the pressure of conforming to the local palate.