Westies will be glad that the second outlet of Casa Vostra is now at Jem, not without its snaking queues following its Raffles City debut. We checked out the outlet-exclusive dishes, and new kid’s menu in the cosy space to see if the long lines are worth the hype.
Casa Vostra – Authentic Italian Cuisine
Casa Vostra means “your home” in Italian. The Italian restaurant serves authentic, unpretentious Italian cuisine with handmade pastas, pillow soft pizzas evidently the work of a true blue Italian Chef – Chef Antonio Miscellaneo. Diners can enjoy strong Italian flavours crafted from raw, unprocessed, and fresh ingredients.
This Italian restaurant is known for its long lines at both its outlets, Raffles City and now Jem. Given its popularity, I was curious to taste the dishes since I love Italian food. Casa Vostra had a welcoming atmosphere with warm lighting, the wooden interiors that were modern decked in warm tones that reminds me of a Italian Nonna’s home.
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Digging into our Italian Feast – Buon Appetito!
First Up Appetiser: Burrata Piccante
Choosing Burrata paired with Calabrian Chilli Pepper Sauce and Nduja was the kick we needed to whet our appetite. Nduja, a fiery spreadable pork sausage from Calabria, adds a bold Southern Italian kick. The firm cheese broke into a delicate mash of flavours all weaved together with savoury and spicy notes. Now we are ready for the mains!
The Star of the Feast: Fried Pizza with Crab & Nduja
Crispy fried pizzas are the JEM-exclusive dishes and they are a must-try.
We were served Crab & Nduja which had generous portions of fresh crab, finished with burrata and crispy onions as well as some spicy Nduja. While the word “fried” tends to be associated with oily and heavy, Casa Vostra’s fried pizza was light, crispy and perfectly paired with a refreshing dose of crab and shallots.
Crab & Nduja Fried Pizza was such a delight to eat we had to have seconds. It was a unique treat with layers of flavours that were definitely elevated from the freshness and boldness of the ingredients.
The Carnivora Pizza
My dinner companion and I were craving some meat so the Carnivora sounded like the best way to give us a protein boost. Meat lovers will love this pizza which has creamy Fiordilatte, Mortadella, prosciutto, spicy salme, porchetta and Pepperone Crusco.
I loved how the pizza was so pillowy soft and the crumb shows wild fermentation that only natural yeasts can conjure. This was topped with various cuts of meat giving it that savoury goodness plus chewy sweet peppers. An exercise of the jaw is needful to enjoy this pizza.
It’s Pasta Time – Agnolotti all’ Anatra in Brodo
Something drew us to the Agnolotti all’ Anatra in Brodo, it came with a pot of broth which we had to pour into the plate containing little parcels with duck. This was a surprising dish since we never had duck dumpling in soup – Italian style.
The minced duck packed in the parcel was so tender it didn’t require much chewing and the rich consommé was made from the duck! This had so much similarity with the Chinese dumplings and soup that we learnt more about the new dish that originated from the Piedmont region of Italy traditionally made with leftover meat.
It was also a delightful way to end the savoury segment then embark on dessert.
Kids’ Meals at Casa Vostra
Casa Vostra at Jem also offers kids’ meals for $12, including a soft drink or juice. As a parent, I’m glad that nuggets are not another thoughtless option. Handmade pastas are part of the menu with three options: Pomodoro, Lasagna or Mac & Cheese.
We had a taste of the Pomodoro made with fresh tomatoes and topped with Parmigiano. The portion would be perfect for preschoolers. Older kids should opt for the mains which come in bigger portions.
Dessert & Drinks
Our choice of drinks was the Ballini Botter Prosecco N.V. with strawberry puree and Peach Lemonade both of which complemented the savoury offerings well.
We ended our meal with Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert that left us satisfied. The only regret was not opting for the Pistachio Gelato! Maybe next time!
I really enjoyed how the authenticity of Italian styles was brought out in the menu with bold flavours, surprising pairings and the classic Southern Italian traditions with a very accessible take while staying true to the form.
The queues might look intimidating but watching the chefs craft their fare might have you appreciating the wait. Your patience might most certainly pay off in a very satisfying meal that Italian nonnas would approve of.
Casa Vostra at Jem’s Opening Promotions
Spend $100 per table to earn one sure-win play at the Casa Claw machine from now till 2 November. Prizes include pizza plushies, vouchers for a complimentary panna cotta, or iced teas and coffees for your next visit.
Casa Vostra
Where: 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #01-03, Singapore 608549
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