Italian cuisine seems to be a favourite in East Coast, with a surprising number of Italian restaurants in Katong and Joo Chiat. La Bottega Enoteca stands out from the crowd with its charming Italian décor and award winning pizzas.
Award Winning La Bottega Enoteca
La Bottega Enoteca secured the 19th spot in the prestigious 50 Top Pizza awards for the Asia Pacific region. Chef-owner Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega Enoteca was ranked 57th in the Top 100 Best Pizza Chef awards. This recognition places Chef Antonio, who first came to Singapore as a software engineer, among the pizza elite of the world.
La Bottega Enoteca in Joo Chiat
La Bottega Enoteca has its roots in Casa Nostra, a private dining concept of Chef Antonio based out of his Joo Chiat condo. When he decided to open a restaurant he chose the neighbourhood he had grown to love.
The restaurant was designed by Chef Antonio and his wife, based on their favourite eateries in Italy. Housed in a charming old shophouse, a rustic green metal gate opens into a naturally ventilated porch, designed to resemble a typical Mediterranean courtyard.
Stepping through a wooden door, you enter the main dining area. The space is intimate. There is a bar with counter seats. The remaining space is neatly arranged with tables. Even a narrow corridor boasts small tables for two. It feels like a cozy restaurant somewhere in Italy.
Menu of La Bottega Enoteca
Chef Antonio is passionate about pizza, and has created different pizza doughs for different experiences. His “Newpolitan Pizza” offers a contemporary twist on the classic Neapolitan, boasting a soft, fluffy crust thanks to a 48-hour fermentation process. The “Double Crunch Pizza”, inspired by the traditional Roman “Pizza in Pala,” features a light and airy crust that can hold toppings in the centre.
La Bottega Enoteca also offers the usual Italian favourites, from starters and pastas to mains and desserts. Below are pictures of the lunch menu of La Bottega Enoteca.
A Taste of Italy in Joo Chiat
We visited La Bottega Enoteca for lunch on a hot day. The charming courtyard was empty, and we naively walked in without a reservation. The friendly staff kindly informed us that the air-conditioned main dining area was fully booked. She offered us the choice of the naturally ventilated courtyard (not ideal for a hot and humid afternoon) or bar counter seats in the cooler inside. We opted for the latter.
A great feature at La Bottega Enoteca is the option to order half pizzas – ideal for those with a more moderate appetite. We ordered a half portion of the Marinara e Acciughe ($24 for half/ $40 for whole). This pizza featured a delightful combination of tomatoes, garlic, anchovies, garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil. The crust was a touch chewier than expected, but the overall flavour profile was well-balanced and luxurious.
We also had the Orecchiette Salsiccia E Funghi Pasta ($30), featuring small, ear-shaped orecchiette pasta that originated from Puglia. The firm texture of the pasta complemented the seasoned Italian sausage, juicy mushrooms, and light sauce perfectly. It was an enjoyable dish.
By the time we were finishing our lunch, the entire dining area at La Bottega Enoteca had filled up. The place was buzzing with a happy lunchtime crowd. This surge in customers convinced us to forgo coffee at the restaurant. Luckily, Joo Chiat boasts many excellent cafes, and these tend to be less crowded in the afternoon. We decided to head to one of those for our post-lunch caffeine fix.
Like Dining in Italy
Our lunch at La Bottega Enoteca was a quick and enjoyable experience. The food was good, with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients. We felt like we were dining somewhere in Italy (perhaps a few charming native Italian servers would have completed the illusion). We will return to try more of their award winning pizzas, but we must remember to make a reservation.
Ratings:
Food: 4
Service: 3
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Overall Rating: 4 TOPs 
La Bottega Enoteca
346 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore, 427596
Tel / WhatsApp: +65 9071 8400
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Fri-Sat 12 noon – 2 pm; 5.30 pm – 11 pm
Sun 11.30 am – 3 pm; 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm
The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog
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