Looking for good restaurants and cafes at Novena?
There is this row of eateries of short walking distance from Novena MRT station along Thomson Road (right opposite Novena Church) which includes Lechon Republic, Sinn Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice, Novena Steamboat Delight, MukJja Korean Chinese Restaurant, and Celine’s Gelato Café.
However, they may not get as much foot traffic due to the road works and construction carried out right in front of the stretch.
Italian food lovers will be thrilled to know that Mangiano by CC has launched here as well, slinging homemade Italian staples and succulent meats.
It currently has a 5* rating on Google.
Behind the eatery is Chef Choo Siew Leong, who runs a stall in Chef Choo Signature at Golden Mile Food Centre that fixes up homely pasta and Western fare.
I do have some affinity with the stall. When I was a guest on the now-defunct Food King on Night Owl Cinematics, it was one of the hawkers featured and was rated “Food King Good”. ((Other stalls featured that episode include The Original Vadai, Ashes Burnnit and One Prawn & Co).
Chef Choo previously worked at Pete’s Place at the basement of Hyatt Hotel – probably one of the first places in Singapore I got exposed to more authentic-tasting Italian food myself.
Mangiano by CC, the chef’s latest venture has a homely cosy interior though some may consider nothing particularly fancy. There is a flat screen television playing football matches in true bar-and-restaurant style.
However, the inviting menu has a good variety of items for you to explore, from pasta to tomato-sauce based pizzas and many more.
Some of the pasta choices here include the Penne Sugo Arrabiatta ($20.90), Spaghetti Carbonara ($22.90), and Spaghetti Aglio Olio Con Gamberetti ($23.90).
The Spaghetti Srigolare Doppio Frutti De Mare ($27.90 for regular, $49.90) is the must-order here, coming sizzling hot (get your cameras ready) served in cast-iron pan and topped with bountiful ingredients of crayfish, Japanese scallops, tiger prawns, half shell mussels, clams and squid.
What I liked was the hot-comforting feeling (some may compare this to wok-hei) when you dig into the mix, with thick tomato sauce infused with shots of white wine and garlic.
What’s note-worthy was that the seafood was all fresh-tasting, and coated in the tangy-sweet-sumptuous sauce.
There is also a homemade pasta section. It does not get more rustic than the Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina ($22.90), a dish of potato dough generously immersed in tomato sauce livened by basil, makes a good plate of pasta.
Also made in-house, among others, are the Capellini Al Granchio E Bisque Di Aragosta (Angel hair pasta in lobster bisque crab meat sauce) ($27.90), Fettucine Bolognese ($23.90), Ravioli Con Gamberi Pesto Cream (ravioli with tiger prawns) ($25.90), and the Lasagna ($24.90).
Some of the starters though looked ‘simple’ were worth an order, such as the Zupp Di Funghi ($10.90) – an earthy and creamy mixed mushroom soup; and Fritto Di Calamari ($16.90) of crispy deep-fried squid rings.
The Burrata Fresca di Andria ($17.90) boasts a fresh bundle of burrata alongside mixed salad and cherry tomatoes. Take the good quality of the cheese as signs of the things to come.
Carnivorous diners will have to make a difficult decision on the meat items like the Bistecca ($27.90), a 200g Australian Angus beef sirloin steak char-grilled for a smoky crust and juicy interior. A smooth red wine reduction finishes off the steak.
If you come during lunch time, there are also set lunches starting from $10.90 and $16.90 – pretty affordable for a restaurant.
Mangiano by CC is really your homely Italian restaurant cooking up scrumptious continental food, and there is little not to love.
Mangiano By CC
275 Thomson Road, #01-02, Singapore 307645
Opening Hours: 11am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Gary’s (Rochester)
Dopo Teatro (Esplanade)
OSTERIA BBR by Alain Ducasse (Raffles Hotel)
PocoLoco (Upper Thomson)
Da Paolo Gastronomia (Great World)
* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
