Thinking of where to go for a romantic date or cosy family dinner? Or are you after somewhere to dine where dogs are welcome? Tucked in a shophouse along sleepy Upper Thomson Road, popular eatery Pasta J has recently reopened its doors after undergoing a two-week-long renovation. Now boasting fresh walls with clean and minimal décor – think light and dark wood, cream furnishings, and plants draping from the ceiling – the pet-friendly restaurant is back in business serving up its signature steaks and Asian-fusion mainstays, alongside newly added creations on the menu. Psst… If you’re planning a private celebration, hit them up for event packages!
What sets Pasta J apart
Everything is made from scratch; from the punchy pesto that incorporates handpicked basil leaves, to the oh-so-popular Muddy Mushroom soup ($6.90), featuring button mushrooms that have been caramelised for over three hours in pork-bone stock. Chef-owner John Chan goes the extra mile as he doesn’t believe in taking shortcuts or skipping steps. The kitchen places a huge emphasis on quality, investing in elaborate food preparation equipment like a meat aging chamber for aged meats such as beef and pork.
It certainly pays off. The flavours at Pasta J are known by loyal customers to be rich and full of depth – a reward for choosing time-consuming methods of preparation like caramelisation, brining and smoking. Similarly, the pork shoulder slices used in the Terribly Troublesome Pork Chops ($18.90) are butchered in-house, then brined for two days for superior juiciness and taste.
The steaks are no exception. Available for pre-order at least seven days in advance, the sharing-sized Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye Steak ($189 per kg) features Margaret River pure-blood wagyu ribeye that has been brined for seven days, encrusted with toasted black sesame seeds and served with truffle sauce along with sides. If you’re visiting in a smaller crowd, get the Break-up Steak ($42.90), a 250g ribeye which – according to John – is so good it can cure any breakup! Specially treated in-house, this dish is the most popular item on the menu.
Pasta J is also known to be dog-friendly; furkids are welcomed with a bowl of water and some free kibbles! Just make sure your dog is well-behaved and toilet-trained, as a form of consideration to the other diners.
Asian-fusion Signatures
Don’t leave without trying the Asian-fusion offerings on the menu, conceived from countless hours of experimentation by John himself. The Smoked Char Siu St. Louis Pork Ribs ($31.90) are a sweet and savoury number served with pineapple sauce pasta – perfect for cheat day. These juicy and tender ribs are no easy feat for the chef, as they’re prepared with 21 ingredients, and painstakingly brined for two days then hickory-smoked. Another must-try is the Green Curry Osso Bucco ($36.90), which features a spicy, flavourful homemade green curry served with Japanese rice, fresh coriander and beef stock on the side.
Psst… Look out for Pasta J’s newly launched Western-style dim sum, which features innovative combinations like squid ink skin dumplings with escargots and pesto ($16.90) and crystal skin dumplings with French ham, mushrooms, cheese and truffle oil ($7.90)!
Don’t miss
Pay using the FavePay app on your mobile device and enjoy 10 percent cashback credits for your next visit (within three months). If you’re an American Express cardholder, you can get a 10 percent discount voucher on your next visit if you spend at least $100 and pay with your card.
Written in collaboration with:
Pasta J
205 Upper Thomson Road
9004 1800 | facebook.com/PastaJSG
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