When craving Italian fare, Robertson Quay and probably Holland Village often come to mind. We’d bet you wouldn’t have thought of looking in the underbelly of Golden Mile Tower. And neither did we.
However, at the end of the escalator leading to B1 of this seedy building, that’s full of character, is PocoLoco Pizzeria.
The latest concept in the PocoLoco brand — unsurprisingly, given its name — specialises in Pizza. The original PocoLoco that has expended from Ang Mo Kio has one goal; to put up a quality Italian styled menu at affordable “heartland friendly” price.
Ambiance And Character
Seating at PocoLoco Pizzeria is as casual and fuss-free as it gets. A few seats and tables arranged along the shopfront allows customers to soak up the ambiance and character of Golden Mile Tower, just like the other establishments in the building.
With an open concept kitchen, you’ll be able to watch kitchen staff fire the pizza oven and other dishes as your orders go through. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, just look around and take in the accompanying sights, sounds and smells.
Technicoloured Pizza Dough
Crisp from a well-fired oven, with the right amount of chew and fluffiness, that’s what a good pizza should give you — PocoLoco Pizzeria’s checks all those boxes and give a good go at taking it a step further by making a variety of dough flavours.
As only one type of dough is made per day, the kitchen rotates the flavour of dough daily. Giving more reason to be a return customer!
With the price of the pizzas ranging from $9 to $20, the prices and quality of ingredients will be hard to beat at other Italian joints.
The Proscuito e Rucola Pizza ($15) will hit the spot if you’re looking for some tried-and-true Italian pizza toppings. The mild peppery rocket and savoury Parma ham add bursts of flavour on the classic tomato and mozzarella base.
For something that takes you down the contemporary fusion road, there’s the Mentaiko Pizza ($13). On a base of cream and mozzarella, the light red, almost pink mentaiko (fish roe) is spread on and fired up in the pizza oven. The simple combination ingredients creates a pizza that screams of the ocean.
Using seaweed dough, the briny flavour of the sea was even more pronounced. On any other day you might be able to try the nero (squid ink), saffron, or as the Chef at PocoLoco teased us with, a beetroot dough.
If PocoLoco were to have an equivalent to the “meatlovers pizza”, the Bolognese Pizza ($14) is as close as you’ll get. It’s as straightforward as food gets, meaty goodness in an easy to spread sauce, mozzarella and the cherry on top — truffle essence.
The priciest pizza is the Caprese Pizza ($20), which is topped with fresh burrata, justifying the heftier price tag.
Pasta & Mains
If you’re not in the mood for pizza, PocoLoco Pizzeria serves mains and pasta as well. Because, which self-respecting Italian joint wouldn’t?
While there aren’t as many pasta offerings as compared to their original outlet in Ang Mo Kio, it’s enough to give the menu depth and variety.
We dug into a plate of Anatra ($12) consisting of sliced smoked duck and a good portion of tagliatelle tossed in a rich, creamy and buttery sauce. A dish that’ll urge you to take a very well-deserved riposo, the Italian version of a Siesta or afternoon nap. Whether you have it for lunch or dinner, just find yourself a comfortable spot to kick back after.
Less loaded on the carbs and geared towards the carnivores are the mains. We had the Pollo alla Cordon Bleu ($18) — a plate of tender pieces of chicken complemented by a stuffing of burrata, parmesan and parma ham. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside and stuffed with a varying range of savoury goodness.
The People’s Food
If you’re looking for the full three course treatment, PocoLoco Pizzeria’s menu is definitely able to cater to it. With classic desserts like Tiramisu ($6) available as well.
Italian food was never really meant to be highbrow and exorbitant. And while PocoLoco may not exactly be a fastidious authentic Italian fare straight out from a nonna’s kitchen, it does bring the good stuff back to the people with the palette and wallets of locals in mind.
Questionable siam dius (Thai clubs) with their glaring neon signs, dimly lit massage parlours and other F&B establishment serving up local favourites fill Golden Mile Tower. And I can’t help but feel that PocoLoco Pizzeria adds to the eclectic charm of the place.
Expected damage: $9-$25
