Caffe Fernet Customs House

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Italian food is like music, and when cooked the right way, it can be a symphony. We experienced the latter at Caffe Fernet, and as mesmerised we were with the food, we loved the splendid views of Marina Bay. Compliment this view with a Campari concoction or one of their potent signature cocktails with some Sicilian Olives, Sourdough Bread, Parma Ham, and Fried Cheese. For your meal we recommend Tiger Prawns, Mafaldine Cacio E Pepe, Lamb Shank Brasata, and Tres Leches Cake.

It is appreciation for the aperitivo at Caffe Fernet! It doesn’t matter if safety protocols hold people back from having an all-nighter where they indulge in inebriation till the strike of dawn. The ever so appealing alfresco bar guarantees to offer you a delightful experience owing to its menu that reeks of the aperitivo culture.

Every hour is happy hour at Caffe Fernet. Right from when the doors open till 7 pm, you can tuck into some tantalising cocktails and bite sized treats before devouring the mains. Treat your taste buds with the savoury Sicilian Spritz ($17) containing Italicus, Aperol, prosecco, soda and a speck of olive brine. The Bicicletta ($17) is another one which should not be missed, especially because of its unique spin with dry white wine and the Aperitivo Select instead of the Campari, thereby giving it a vanilla flavour for those with a sweet tooth.

There are as many as four different negronis made with a variety of gins and Camparis- another unique twist to a classic cocktail. Elegante ($23) with the No. 3 gin has a flowery taste whereas the Secco ($22) has a dry, almost crispy texture courtesy to Tanqueray gin.

All these work brilliantly as appetizers- they set up the stomach for some of the best seafood collection. The Squid ink tonnarelli is made of sleek noodles with locally caught shellfish sautéed with an aromatic sauce speckled with citrus butter. The tonnarelli vongole ($29) is another twist on the pasta with clams, while the pompano piccata ($42) doesn’t fail to tempt you with half a pomfret deboned with piccata sauce and trout roe.

To add to this feast, there’s the cacio e pepe ($26), the lush and creamy local burrata ($24) with green tomatoes which serves as a nice texture with the cream cheese and the mushroom agrodolce. What are you waiting for? Go indulge!

I so enjoyed this experience I need to get back to Caffe Fernet as soon as possible. The vibe is fresh and staff are all happy, they actually have a spring in their step. The room is alive. The kitchen is operatic in scale with the chefs on hand delighting the crowds, yes crowds of guests both bar side and restaurant side. But best of all we have a combination here of great food and ever greater cocktails in true Jigger and Pony style. On my visit I enjoyed House-made Ricotta $15++ which came with a Chestnut Honey and a sprinkling of Thyme. It is served with delicious toast and I managed to be a little inventive and stack on a bit of the Crispy Golden Beetroot $21++ with a Red Beetroot Mole, Rocket, Almonds and Feta. But to die for and go to heaven was the Smoked Leek $19++, a Gorgonzola Cheese sprinkled with a decent amount of Toasted Pecans. The Pasta I devoured was the Mafaldine 'Cacio e Pepe' $25++ Pecorino Cheese and a splash of Four Peppercorns, absolutely standout winner on our table. Then came the big guns. Crispy Porchetta $38++ served with a Pickled Mustard Seeds and Mint Gremolata. I have to mentioned the succulent Chicken Piccata $36++ whic h is roasted and smoked with Saffron, generous amounts of Lemon and Capers to articulate the sauce...Whatever you are doing guys keep it up. I have no hesitation in returning next week and the week after. My deal breaker is when a restaurant can really offer top class cocktails so opt for a Classic Negroni $21++ with the perfect amount of Beefeater Gin, Campari and Cinzano Rosso. Do yourself a favorite - GO!

Caffe Fernet Pop-up at Sugarhall this Valentine's Day Wednesday 14 February 2018, Wednesday, 7.00pm - Sugarhall, 102 Amoy Street, Singapore 069922. As Caffe Fernet is dressing up to be ready for the public, you can be the first to experience the bar snacks and drinks menu as the team brings you the group's hallmark convivial hospitality and showcase the craft of cocktails via modern variations of Italian spritzes and negronis. Food-wise, expect fresh takes on Italian fare and flavours leaning towards lighter, brighter profiles with nuances of a cosmopolitan touch, rather than quaint ‘grandma's kitchen fare'.

Palate-pleasers and unique discoveries come in the likes of the crisp Ricotta Toast with chestnut honey and thyme, as well as Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe, a pasta mixed with four colours of peppercorn and flavoured by pecorino cheese. Said to have originated from Naples, Italy, the Malfadine pasta is named after the pretty Princess Mafalda di Savoia as the precious curls on its sides are inspired by her beautiful hair, and they serve to scoop up just the right amount of Cacio e Pepe, cheese and pepper. Its making stems from a tradition that emphasises on better quality with a more al dente texture and a nuttier taste.

Yum....