Assaggi, the casual Neil Road trattoria from a Michelin-starred chef, has become Singapore’s toughest dinner reservation since opening in August—here’s what the fuss is about.
Scoring a table at Assaggi these days feels like winning the culinary lottery. The casual Italian spot on Neil Road, helmed by Chef Denis Lucchi—the force behind one-Michelin-starred Buona Terra and popular Locanda—has been turning heads since reservations opened in August. Diners are booking weeks out, and for good reason: a multi-course tasting menu that showcases house-made pasta, a famously shareable bread course, and prices that undercut its fine-dining siblings. The question isn’t whether to go, but how quickly you can get in.
First Impressions: Warm, Casual, Inviting
The experience begins at the doorstep, where guests ring a bell and are greeted through a small window by a staff member—a personal, almost homespun touch. Inside, the vibe is decidedly more living room than white-tablecloth establishment. Think a friend’s cozy wood-furnished dining room, complete with an open kitchen counter where the action unfolds, and a background soundtrack that cycles through soft-pop hits from Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and Michael Jackson.
The space feels like a deliberate departure from Buona Terra’s starched linens and Locanda’s rustic charm, offering a setting that’s unpretentious yet polished.
The Menu: Set Courses, No Guesswork
There’s no agonizing over à la carte choices here. Lunch features a three-course set at $58, while dinner offers two six-course options at $88 each: the “Pasta Journey” or the “Signature Journey.” The meal kicks off with a trio of snacks—a bright tomato tart, a savory beef and mushroom toast, and a creative spin on prosciutto e melone that swaps the classic cured ham for coppa (shoulder meat).
But the real showstopper arrives early: a seemingly endless bucket of fluffy bread rolls served with whipped Beppino Occelli butter, spooned tableside, and finished with acacia honey, balsamic reduction, and duck fat. It’s one of the better bread courses in recent memory—though perhaps not the religious experience social media hype suggests. Just be prepared to pace yourself; you’ll need more than one roll to finish the generous heap of butter.
Starters and Mains: Solid, With One Memorable Hit
Appetizers are dependable. The veal eye round comes dressed in a creamy tonnato sauce with artichokes and quail eggs—think elevated tuna egg mayo—while the octopus dish is simple but precise, pairing tender chunks with potatoes, olives, capers, and green beans for freshness.
Mains, however, are where things get a bit uneven. A 14-to-20-day dry-aged roasted duck arrives with orange blossom honey, cooked peaches, and fresh fennel salad; the peach-and-duck pairing works well, but the sauce leans a touch too sweet. The alternative, stone bass served with traditional Italian mugnaia sauce and thin zucchini sheets, offers a lighter, more restrained choice.
If appetite allows, the pork arrosticini skewer is available as an add-on—but at $18, the slightly dry grilled meat with preserved cabbage and burnt apple purée is skippable in our book.
The Pasta: The Undisputed Highlight
Here’s the thing: pasta is clearly the kitchen’s strong suit. The fusilli with capsicum and red prawns is a tough contender, but the pappardelle with ossobucco and gremolada takes the crown, delivering a surprising, cheesy hit that lingers. A house-made chili oil on the side is worth being generous with—it layers on just enough heat without overpowering the delicate sauces.
For those on the Pasta Journey, the shared paccheri, done amatriciana-style, is served tableside with lashings of cheese. Add a dash of chili oil to elevate it further.
Dessert and Drinks: A Sweet Finish With Local Touches
Desserts are refreshing and unfussy. The peach granita is a light, palate-cleansing delight, while the vanilla ice cream-stuffed rum baba provides a boozy, satisfying conclusion.
On the drinks front, a compact cocktail list curated by Japanese speakeasy Bar Kakure—Buona Terra’s Scotts Road neighbor—features creations like the Assaggi Negroni, Paloma, and Espresso Martini, all at a reasonable $18. Wine lovers will find a solid selection of natural and biodynamic bottles from small producers. For a unique touch, guests can sip from handmade clay vessels crafted by a local ceramicist—a nod to ancient Roman wine-drinking traditions.
Verdict: Is It Worth the Wait?
Time Out Singapore Rating: 4/5
While we’re not entirely convinced Assaggi is worth the month-long waitlist, it’s certainly more hits than misses. The meal clocks in under $100 for a substantial tasting menu—a rarity in today’s dining landscape—and the highlights (osobucco pappardelle, red prawn fusilli, amatriciana paccheri) are memorable. The $58 Express Lunch is a smart choice for those short on time, but we highly recommend the dinner experience, where the Pasta Journey truly shines.
Assaggi is open Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at 77A Neil Road, Singapore 088903.
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