Lombarda from Prego...

Prego, when used as an interjection refers to "You're welcome" and "Please" when used as an adverb... But you are in Singapore, how can we not heard of this Italian restaurant located at Fairmont, Singapore... Famous for its cheery decor and spacious dining area, Yuan and I decided to drop by on the 22nd August 08, just before the Fireworks display presented by the France Team along Esplanade... Hopefully, we won't get stunned by the Italian menu and get to order the right dishes to appreciate their authentic Italian 'home' cooking.

Anyway, this is the entrance of Prego and I guessed there is a difference between a digital SLR and a point and shoot, thus I have to admit that I have gotten this picture from street directory website. Hopefully, I won't get into trouble with the patent or copyright. Anyway, the photographer is acknowledged in the picture.

Lombarda
Tomato, mozzarella, Gorgonzola cheese, beef carpaccio and shaved Parmesan

Calamari e zucchini fritti con salsa di pomodori secchi piccanti
Fried Calamari and crispy vegetables served with spicy sun dried tomato salsa

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Fen's Comments

Lombarda - I am starting to appreciate thin crust pizza cos it is less oily in comparison to the pan pizza from Pizza Hut. I am sure when one talks about pizza, there are 2 categories of people in which one group will prefer the authentic thin oven-baked pizza while the other will prefer the pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

Yuan is right about me having a liking for cheese, partially due to the fact that I have been eating cheese from blocks since young and thus is not put off by stronger and weird taste of cheese. The crust itself is not as soft as the one from Riciotti but no doubt I simply fall in love with the Gorgonzola cheese. Little did I know that Gorgonzola cheese is also a subset of Blue cheese, my favourite.

Anyway, the reason why Yuan don't like it was because Gorgonzola is a veined Italian blue cheese, made from unskimmed cow's milk. Oh well, he never fancy my favourite Danish Blue (made in Denmark, is a light, blue-veined cheese)...

However, I do find that the mozzarella used was under-proportioned as the bread taste close to a softened biscuit rather than a chewy bread. Lastly, Yuan was spot on with the beef, Carpaccio is a dish of raw beef, veal or tuna traditionally thinly sliced or pounded thin.

Fried Calamari - The calamari was quite well done in which it was not overly chewy. Although I didn't find the layer of batter salty enough, but I do love their tomato salsa. In fact, it is way much better than the one I had at Ricciotti (more to the Mexican spicy style). If I am not mistaken, to achieve a tomato salsa similar to this, fresh tomatoes have to be cut finely and simmered in water, in which tomato puree and sugar is added subsequently.

I have to admit that the service at Prego was fantastic. The water was refilled promptly. The tables were ensured to be free from crumbs and the plates and utensils were changed after each round of food served. Organized in their way of serving their customers, a place that I will not complain the 10% service charge. On top of that, complementary bread and chocolate truffles were served...

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Yuan's Comments

Lombarda - This is one of the lightest pizzas which i have eaten. By lightest i mean barely any ingredients. Guess i prefer American pizzas over Italian sort. Anyway Fen pointed out that the cheese is fantastic and you can see the shredded cheese on top of the pizza. For non cheese lovers like me, i didn't quite like the smell and taste.

Fried Calamari - By far one of the best which i have eaten. The calamari is soft and chewy, a little moist as you bite. Further, it comes with carrot and cucumber fried with flour. Thus this dish is similar to the tempura dishes. This is a must try when you come to prego.

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Prego
1F, 80 Bras Basah Road, Raffles The Plaza
Singapore 189560
Tel: 6431 6156

Operating hours

Pizzeria: Daily - 11:30 am to 12:30 am
Ristorante: Daily - 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Brunch Buffet*
Every Sunday and selected public holidays - 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm

*Standard à la carte menu is also available.