Cugini Trattoria at Club Street is an authentic-looking Italian trattoria that I've been meaning to go for quite some time now, and I hear that some of its pastas are close to the real deal that you can get at Italy. Speaking of which, I'm filled with so much worry now over my upcoming Italy trip (volcano volcano argh!) and I'm already forced to look into alternatives if this thing doesn't blow over and away. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Back to Cugini. Contrary to the bad reviews on the Hungrygowhere forum about its poor service standards, I have to insist that service here was very good actually, as the Filipino waitresses were very polite and friendly. Of course, I have to admit that it was terribly quiet over the lunch hour, with only me and another couple there for them to attend to. Without even looking at the menu, I went on to place my order.
Frutti di Mare
The Seafood Pasta can actually be called a Cugini Signature, if not, it is still an "open secret" (it's not on the menu!) that has already been nicely reviewed by Elaine and Leslie. This is excellent homemade pasta mind you, prepared perfectly al dente and marvellously firm to the bite. I also loved the thick and rich tomato sauce that just made me go forkful after forkful of oh-so-delicious pasta.
Alas, the amount of ingredients were severely little, just two small prawns and a couple of fish slices. This has shrunk from Leslie's time (with mussels and squids) to Elaine's visit (no mussels, but there's squids). Still, if there's any consolation at all, I've read several overseas food blogs on Italy and it seems that the Italians are so awesomely proud of their homemade pasta that there's relatively less emphasis on the extra ingredients. Kinda explains why they would just throw in some ham slices rather than adorn it with loads of seafood.
All-in-all, fantastic pasta, especially if you like it al dente.
Service
Very good, helpful and friendly.
Price
$22.90++.
Place
87 Club Street,
Near Ann Siang Hill and just a few steps away from my favourite K Ki!
Pictures taken with the Canon EOS 500D.
5 Foodie Comments:
I love your pictures. Wish i can take pictures like that. And you went there alone? That's my checklist this weekend, to go to a restaurant and eat alone...take pictures, enjoy and savor...just the food and me...wish me luck.
April 20, 2010 at 10:20 AMYeap I went there alone, couldn't really find anyone to dine with me on a weekday... Oh you're going this weekend? I suppose either try the pizza (since it calls itself a pizzeria) or the not-on-the-menu seafood pasta ;)
April 20, 2010 at 10:34 AMAs for pictures, yours are good too! I use Picasa3 (free and downloaded from the Web) for the autoedit feature, normally it brightens the picture up a bit. You might like to try that if you have time :)
Cheerios!
Oh, assuming you're headed for Cugini. If not, enjoy (bon appetit!) and I'd be looking forward to your post ;)
April 20, 2010 at 10:35 AMIt's gone downhill, see my comments in the HGW Conversations
October 2, 2011 at 8:20 PMCan't find them on HungryGoWhere to leave a review, there is something very suspicious about that. An email response from management on the poor food and service was in denial and arrogant.
January 7, 2012 at 9:48 AMSo many other Italian restaurants to go to these days than to waste time and money on this one.
Post a Comment