What was once Milano Pizza & Wine has since rebranded into modern osteria Buca Buca. At first glance though, it feels like little has changed – the restaurant is still steadfastly Italian and housed in the same conservation shophouse along Craig Road. You’ll even find the same crowd-favourite Sicilian deep dish sourdough pizzas on the menu, generous in both serving size and flavour.
But the menu has since expanded greatly, with handmade pasta and old-school tableside service. Have a seat at the new alfresco Aperol Terrace or sidle into one of the cosy booths to see what’s changed. Start with sharing appetisers like brussel sprouts ($18) tossed in guanciale (cured pork jowl) and chilli-infused honey, or a platter of lightly battered seafood ($22) for some crunchy goodness – these are bound to stoke your appetite. Buca Buca also offers a selection of fresh Italian salads, ranging from a classic burrata and rocket ($36) to a grilled prawn caesar ($38) that’s fluently assembled tableside.
It’s the selection of handmade pasta that’s caught our attention though. Tuck into a hearty beef cheek pappardelle ($38) that boasts a 24-hour braised beef cheek or a linguini prawn rosso ($42) that’s uniquely done with gochujang (savoury Korean paste) spiced prawns. Interestingly, they also do a zucchini pesto “pasta” ($28), whereby fine zucchini strips soak up the pesto much like pappardelle does – an apt choice for those sitting out from pasta.
It goes without saying that the Silician grandma pizza is a must-order – it’s how Milano Pizza & Wine previously stood out from the crowd. It’s no easy feat making these deep-dish pizzas either, since they have to be folded, rested, and folded again every two hours. These naturally fermented sourdough pies are divvied up into four squares, and you can choose from delectable toppings like mortadella and burrata ($34) or freshly shaved truffle and burrata ($38).
But whatever it is, make sure to end on a sweet note with the tableside tiramisu ($25). This comes loaded with a delightfully creamy concoction of mascarpone cheese and pasteurised eggs. The waitstaff will tell you to patiently wait for at least five minutes before digging in, for the ladyfingers to be thoroughly infused with the coffee.
Buca Buca also has quite the extensive wine list, featuring a range of natural and organic wines from Italy. If at a loss for what to pair with your Sicilian grandma pie or handmade pasta, simply ask – they’re well-versed in their wines and will encourage you to go out of your comfort zone. There are also carafes of sangria ($55) that are perfect for sharing between two.
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