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Garibaldi Italian Restaurant and Bar is located at 36 Purvis Street, it runs perpendicular along North Bridge Road just across from the current National Library near City Hall. The entrance of the restaurant is fronted by wooden framed glass sliding doors and a serious looking gentleman at the front of it whom is the parking valet. The entrance leads directly into a small bar which also serves as a waiting area for patrons that are yet to be seated. A reservation is probably a must. The bar opens up on the left to the main dining area, and to the front, a private dining room…
I have heard so much about the restaurant that it is packed almost every night. I think I was almost expecting to be WOWed by the food & service and kept asking myself, “How good can it be?”
I was there recently with my parents and 2 of their friends and we all had set lunches instead. Barely a year ago, one of my friends did mention about the set lunch, was value for money ($29 per set) but after the renovation the set lunch is now $36 per set. My conclusion is definitely over-hyped and there is definitely better Italian Restaurant around.
This restaurant does not serve iced/warm water but pushes you to consumed bottled water instead. I have nothing against restaurants offering bottled water as an alternative but it should always be an alternative and not a replacement. Paid $24 (excluding service charge & GST) on 3 bottles of San Pellegrino sparkling water!
We understand from the server that the set menu is being changed on every Thursday, which means you don’t get to eat what you ate a week ago. A menu card was placed in front of each guest and for a 3-course set lunch it consists of:-
1. Three choices of starter:-
Mixed Salad with Marinated Vegetable and Prawns
Deep-fried Eggplant Rolls stuffed with Mozzarella Cheese and Basil Pesto
Soup of the Day (Broccoli Soup with Scallop)
We had 3 mixed salad; 1 deep-fried eggplant roll and Broccoli Soup. The mixed salad was well presented but was disappointed with the warm prawns served. A bit mushy… erh! Broccoli soup wasn’t that fantastic… it was warm and tasteless.
2. Five choices of Main courses:-
Homemade Fettucini Pasta w/ Asparagus Sauce
Farfalle with Salmon, Vodka & Orange Aroma in Cream Sauce
Homemade Pappardelle Pasta with Braised Chicken, Mixed Mushroom & Thyme
Stew of Snapper w/ Cherry Tomatoes, Capers, Black Olive and Baby Potatoes
Grilled Striploin with Sautéed Vegetables and Pepper Sauce.
Disappointed out of the 5 choices, 3 are pastas.
- My dad had Farfalle with Salmon but definitely NO vodka or orange aroma in the cream sauce.
- Pappardelle Pasta was much better than the Farfalle… relatively tasty but definitely not sufficiently tasty to make me go “WOW”.
I must say the pastas are all made “al dente” unlike some restaurants where they overcooked it.
- Stew of Snapper was so far the best of the Mains claimed by our lady friend… tenderly cooked and moist to perfection. The fresh black olives definitely give you a tinge of sour taste and blends well with the stew. Simply fabulous.
- Mom and friend were having the grilled Striploin, which was done to our required doneness but it was served sliced instead. Mom prefers a whole steak instead of pre-sliced. No potatoes served – disappointed – only sautéed vegetables. Pepper sauce with only one peppercorn in her sauce… probably they didn’t crack the peppercorn.
3. Dessert of the Day – “Mango Ice Cream with fresh fruit salad”… the fruits in the salad can be counted… not more than 5-6 tiny pieces (except for the orange segment) per serving.
On the overall, I would say that lunch was satisfying (if not for the crisp sundried tomato bread served prior to the set lunch, we had 2 slices each it was simply addictive) but it comes at Garibaldi’s prices (a bit on the ex side).
The ambience is actually a nice setting for dates or chilled out sessions. The servers were definitely attentive, warm and friendly. Spent almost $50 per person on this lunch.
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The minute I step into the cafe there is this stale smell coming from the Kitchen. Tho a cozy place for an afternoon tea but I must say the entrance toward the kitchen was an ugly sight...seems like a mini dumping ground.. with clothings and cloth or table cloth.. all this should be kept somewhere or it can be an eye sore.
I went up to the display fridge to have a peek of the wide varieties of dessert but was indeed disappointed with the cakes especially the oreo cheese cake... there are cracks on top of it dont look fresh.. seems like it was there a few days... some of the display desserts were sweating... probably the fridge is not cold enough.
Anyway, we decided to give the dessert a miss and order a cuppucino and 2 Ice Coffee and a floral tea... I must say, I am impressed with the coffee cups, teapot and the ice coffee is served in a long tall glass and the ice is indeed ice ball... presentation is good on the beverages.
Beside the beverage, overall below average for dessert cos they dont look appetizing...
- 3 more comments »
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!:) The creme brulee and the molten chocolate cake was nice... hmm maybe it's time for another visit. :)
02 Mar 2008 at 7:46 am
hmm how do u know the desserts were below average because they dont look appetising? Morton's desserts dont look nice either, but they sure are good ;)
02 Mar 2008 at 11:10 am
What I think? I think you should actually try the desserts first before rating the desserts? Because presentation alone means nothing?
02 Mar 2008 at 11:30 pm
I do know that Montreaux is actually supplying all types of dessert to most of the hotels. I know the young boss "Ah Xiong" from a friend of mine... He did mention about opening a Bistro/Cafe. I think this must be the one. Must go and try.
Once I had a BBQ party and I ordered Walnut Brownies from them. They are really good... They are specialised in western desserts. For those who holds a party or BBQ at home, do give them a try...
Cant rate them good or excellent coz I have yet to try but if it is the same BOSS... then it's above average.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!haha glad you liked the desserts. a little bird told me that the food is not nice. :P
02 Mar 2008 at 7:49 am
Dun understand ur review leh. So u got taste their food b4? Or u jz saying that their brownies are good? Hmm....
02 Mar 2008 at 11:37 pm
Initially, there is a lady who will go around the tables and refill your chinese tea non-stop but recently I went there I was pretty disappointed with the food and service. Though it's self service but the server behind the counter was not smiling and dun look friendly at all. Haiz.... guess, it's just not my day....
For a quickie and affordable lunch, yes it's recommendable.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!huh 3 star only? :) high expectations?
02 Mar 2008 at 9:45 am
Ur food refering wat dishes?
02 Mar 2008 at 11:45 pm
Actually, we are contemplating on where to eat and finally decided to go to Melt instead. The wide spread of buffet items ranging from Local, Western, Indian, Thai, Japanese and not to mention the enormous Pastry Counter leaves us all speechless...
The entrance towards the Melt Cafe was breathtaking coz I got sweet tooth and those selection of desserts simply makes me droooooool... allow me to walk you through the cafe whilst my friends and I enjoy the meal....
First, we headed towards the Japanse counter, an array of Japanese sushi / maki / cold soba / etc.. was indeed awesome and the items were fresh.
There behind the Japanese counter is the spread of appetizers and salad for those healthy conscious diner.
Then we headed toward the Show Kitchen whereby the Tandoori Chef was making fresh naans on the spot, woow Chicken Tandoor, Chicken Tikka, Kebabs and Fish Masala are all my favourite. The taste was unbelieveable best in town that I have ever tasted... the Palak Paneer simply whet my appetite...Western counter was the usual roast and veg and the Cream of Mushroom was simply divine.... but of coz I had all tasting portion leaving some space in my tummy to accomodate many more...
I've always crave for Hokkien Prawn Noodle Soup and was dying but my tummy could not take more than I could chew BUT the Chef in charge was so sweet and he simply recommended me to take Hokkien Prawn Soup without the noodle..hahaha... and YES! I get to enjoy my soup. Another item that took my eyes is the Baby Bamboo Clam cooked Chilli Crab Style...awesome too.
I had 2 rounds of Indian food so I decided to skip the Thai section BUT not the dessert...
Guess what, I had oven-baked Cheesecake, Nougat Feuilette, Lychee Creme Brulee and a couple of those Nyonya Kueh, not wanting to miss out the Chendol counter where we got to make our very own chendol or Ice Kachang..anyway, I topped up all the ingredients that they can offer and switch on the crush ice machine and churn out a bowl of shaved ice. My final touch of Gula Melaka Syrup, coconut milk and some green and red colouring syrup simply makes my Chendol looks too tempting...hahaha...
I was so bloated up but managed to gulp some fresh fruits... for more fibre..haha.. we were enjoying our meal and was chatting from 12 noon to 4pm and thank god.. the server didnt chase us out... on the whole the ambience was fantastic for a get-together.. food was excellent and the service was awesome coz they kept changing our plates whenever it is emptied.
The buffet per pax is $54
I think it is value for money.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!Wa sounds like that have a lot of variety. but $54 is really expensive wor.
24 Feb 2008 at 8:53 pm
yep, 54 for buffet is expensive. 8 person comes to abt 400 already? haha
24 Feb 2008 at 9:21 pm
Yah $54 for lunch buffet is a bit ex. Sigh... any one wanna to treat me there? wahahah
25 Feb 2008 at 9:00 am