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Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, and it’s no wonder why. Who doesn’t love a great pizza, or a flavourful bowl of pasta to satisfy your cravings? If you share the same sentiments, here is a spot that you have to check out — Trovato.
Trovato is a hidden Italian restaurant tucked away in the friendly neighbourhood of Jln Selaseh in the Yio Chu Kang vicinity. This eatery is a welcoming cafe by day and by night, it transforms into a laid-back and cosy contemporary Italian restaurant.
Stepping into Trovato reveals a comfortable yet modern interior — one side dons a rustic brick wall akin to those in traditional Italian infrastructure, while the other side presents a stylish and trendy forest green theme. There are even tables set up outside, if you prefer al fresco dining.
The warm and romantic ambience at Trovato makes it an appealing location for date nights, and you’ll have no problem finding parking space either, due to the ample parking lots situated right outside the restaurant and in nearby private estates.
What I tried at Trovato
One of the must-try dishes is Trovato’s Special (S$35.90++), which is made with a unique charcoal base and topped with 4 ingredients of the chef’s choice. The charcoal dough was first stretched before tomato sauce was spread on its surface.
The chef then added a liberal amount of cheese and 4 assorted toppings — our pizza was topped with mushrooms, beef bolognese, prosciutto and smoked salmon.
Next, we watched as the pizza was baked within a brick-fire oven. After adding the final touches, Trovato’s Special was ready for us to savour.
The multi-coloured pizza was a sight to behold, with each quarter containing different ingredients. If you’re always unable to decide on which pizza flavour you want, this is the perfect option for you.
The egg in the middle was cooked to perfection, with a gloriously runny yolk that broke into a tantalising golden pool. The egg yolk added an extra pop of creaminess to each slice of pizza.
Trovato’s charcoal crust was incredibly commendable, as it was thin and crispy with a slightly smoky aroma. It acted as the perfect base for the more flavourful ingredients on top, while retaining its addictive crunch.
The toppings were fresh and delicious too, with the liberal amount of cheese shining through — just look at that cheese pull!
Each quarter of Trovato’s Special boasted its own unique flavours. For instance, the portion topped with mushrooms was juicy and earthy, with a lovely hint of truffle. The prosciutto portion, on the other hand, had a sharper and saltier profile, especially since it also contained shaved parmigiano and rocket leaves!
I cannot recommend Trovato’s Special enough. You simply have to try it for yourself.
Trovato’s Gamberi Risotto (S$25.90++) was another remarkable dish that I loved. The arborio rice base had been cooked in their in-house Italian tomato sauce, with bits of scallop scattered throughout. It was topped with 2 fresh tiger prawns.
The risotto also came with a wedge of lime, so we squeezed it into the dish to zest it up a little.
The Gamberi Risotto wow-ed me with its robust flavours. The risotto base was slightly sweet and a little tangy, with the freshness of the tomato sauce shining through. Texturally, the arborio rice was creamy and cooked al dente, with a soft yet firm bite.
The tiger prawns on top were huge and super fresh. I loved how juicy and tender the prawn meat was, and it was the perfect protein to pair with the flavourful risotto.
I couldn’t get enough of Trovato’s Gamberi Risotto, and I was satisfied on all levels.
Could Trovato get any more impressive with its plating? The Grilled Octopus (S$28.90++) was visually spectacular, containing a chopped octopus leg, squid ink aioli and fresh salsa.
I don’t usually like octopus, but Trovato’s take on this seafood was enough to change my mind and convert me into a fan. The octopus leg was incredibly rich in flavour with a smoky aroma permeating throughout. It tasted multi-dimensional with elements of sweetness complementing its umami tones, and I couldn’t get enough.
The octopus was chewy without being rubbery, and the fresh, juicy tomatoes on the side paired perfectly with it.
Finally, no meal at an Italian restaurant is complete without some classic Tiramisu (S$12.90++). Trovato’s Tiramisu came with layers of sponge fingers and mascarpone, and was topped with a generous sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Everything about the Tiramisu was perfect. The dessert as a whole wasn’t too sweet, yet managed to effectively satisfy my sweet tooth. Aside from having a strong coffee aroma, the Tiramisu had been soaked with coffee liqueur too, further enhancing its robust flavours.
Trovato’s Tiramisu was the perfect way to end off a fantastic meal.
Final thoughts
Trovato is a must-try spot for lovers of Italian cuisine, with their reasonable prices and quality food. I loved the ambience of the restaurant, and the dishes were all value for money.
To make things even better, Trovato offers Happy Hour every day (excluding PH and the eve of PH) from 1pm to 6pm, allowing diners to savour their extensive selection of alcohol at affordable prices. From Tue to Fri, they also have a Lunch Set Menu from 11am to 2pm, making their dishes even more affordable!
*This post was brought to you in partnership with Trovato.
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