Basilico food review: Italian mains, pizza, pasta, plus the best Italian desserts and Affogato ever

Basilico Food Review: Regent Singapore

To write this Basilico Food Review, the husband and I made THREE trips there. 

Why THREE trips? For one, we really love Basilico.

For another – Basilico, which is located in Regent hotel, is part of the American Express Love Dining programme. The Love Dining programme is one of the benefits of the American Express Platinum Charge Card, so the husband and I always use it to dine at up to 50% off in reputable places. 

Unfortunately, with effect from 21st Feb 2022, Basilico is changing up the Love Dining terms and conditions; previously discounts were broadly applied to the a la carte menu. However, in the future, there will be a FIXED Amex Love Dining benefits menu instead.

So we decided that – we were going to dine at Basilico as often as we possibly could, before the new policy kicked in. 

Plus, Christmas at Regent Hotel is really festive

I highly recommend making reservations before coming down – even for lunch. The place is popular, and many flock to Basilico for quick business lunches.

Seats

Some readers have requested I show the bag of the day and / or outfit of the day. So here you go – for two out of my three visits to Basilico, I carried along the Hermes Picotin 22 in gold.

Picotin 22 with Three Graces twilly

Bread Basket and Appetizers

Upon ordering, the server usually brings a bread basket set, along with a medly of dips – olive oil, olive paste, and balsamic vinegar.

Butter can be given upon request, but usually we’re happy enough with the set as it is.

Bread Basket

For a unique and rich appetizer that’s bound to please the senses, go with the Foie Gras.

Fegato Grasso al Tartufo – Foie Gras

The pan-fried Foie Gras, served atop mascarpone mousse and laid with a toasted ciabatta bread and laced with an amarone red wine reduction, is one that’s hard to beat. Flavourful, juicy, and downright sinful – it is VERY rich, so I do recommend having this to share, especially if one intends to have other dishes and/or dessert.

served with ciabatta bread

I’m so glad that we’ve got the Amex Love Dining benefits, and can enjoy this at 50% off (price list near bottom of post).

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Pasta

What’s an Italian restaurant without pizza or pasta?

For a less traditional pasta, the Gnocchi di Patate Viola is my personal recommendation. Potato Gnocchi is served with a pumpkin sauce, wild forest mushrooms and pork pancetta crumble. 

Gnocchi di Patate Viola

There is a subtle taste of pumpkin – the entire gnocchi is marinated in it. Yet the flavour is sharp – thanks to the pancetta crumble. Easily one of the best gnocchis I’ve encountered in Singapore.

For a rich, rich, pasta dish – the Wagyu Beef Lasagna would be it. This is Basilico’s signature lasagna, drowned with a 12-hour slow cooked wagyu beef ragout and fontina cheese fondue. Need I say more?

Wagyu Beef Lasagne

I’ve actually reviewed this dish in greater detail in an earlier blogpost – so check that one out here.

At Basilico, the pasta options are truly diverse. For the traditionalist who prefers somewhat of a meat-based tomato sauce pasta, the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese is a good one.

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

It’s a simple egg tagliatelle pasta with wagyu beef bolognese and aged parmesan cheese – 100% comforting, and 100% idiot-proof.

Prefer something fishy? Basilico has it covered. The Penne Senza Glutine all Ragu di Baccala’ is a penne pasta tossed with a cod fish ragout, gaeta olivers, capers, and fresh heirloom tomatoes. Lighter than most other pasta varieties here, this is a great go-to if you want a pasta dish but without the heaviness of it.

Penne Senza Gluetine all Ragu di Baccala’ – in short, a Cod, Tomato and Olive pasta

Okay, technically this was supposed to be a penne pasta – it just so happened that on the day I ordered this, Basilico ran out of penne. They offered to replace it with the fusilli instead. So here we go. 

Spot the Cod

Pizza

The pizzas at Basilico are extremely well done. Slightly crunchy without being too doughy, the base and crusts are delightful to chew on.

And the flavours are to die for. Take the Pizza Ortolana, for example.

Pizza Ortolana

Set with San Marzano Tomato Sauce, and further topped with a medley of zucchini, eggplants, and bell peppers, the shoiw stopper has to be the chunk of Burrata cheese right in the middle.

Whole round piece of Burrata Cheese

The Burrata cheese is spectacular because (i) who doesn’t want extra cheese on the pizza? and (ii) It becomes almost like a pizza dip – adding an extra layer of texture and flavour to the tomato sauce and roasted vegetables. 

Another great option is the Pizza ai Funghi e Salsiccia Sarda. Or in short – Pizza with mushrooms and sausage.

Pizza al Fungi e Salsiccia Sarda

A beautiful mix of San Marzano Tomato Sauce, mozzarella cheese, forest mushrooms and Sardinian sausages. The mozzarella cheese goes extremely well with their pizza crust – it’s like the highest level of cheese bread you can get, with toppings.

Forest Mushrooms and Baby Tomatoes galore

We also tried the Pizza Diavola. This is great if you want something slighly spicy. The pizza has the usual winning combo of  San Marzano Tomato Sauce and mozzarella cheese; add that with spicy pork salami, Calabrian chilli and oregano, and you’ve got a real kick here.

Pizza Diavola

Here’s a tip to make the most out of Love Dining benefits: Always order a pizza (or other easy extra dish to takeaway). Eat a bit of the pizza hot when it’s served. BUT focus on enjoying the other food items and dessert that you’ve ordered. Take the leftover pizza home. 

Your servers will happily pack the leftovers for you. At home – later in the day or tomorrow – simply pan-fry or oven-heat the leftovers, and the pizza is still very enjoyable. 

And with Love Dining benefits, you get to enjoy the ‘takeaway’ at up to 50% off. 

Pizza Diavola

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Italian Mains

Traditionally, with Italian dining, “mains” are considered meat or fish dishes, which is a category separate from the pizza/pasta varieties.

In this Basilico food review, I must say that this place does fish very well. Such as the Branzino in Guazzetto.

Branzino in Guazzetto – Sea Bass

Almost delicately, a roasted sea bass is cooked with clams, olives, capers, and artichokes in San Marzano Tomato Sauce. Not only does the sea bass picks up all the seafood and tomato sauce goodness – it becomes tender and flakes easily. 

This is how sea bass should be done. 

Branzino – Sea Bass

Want a seafood medly? Try the Zuppa di Pesce – basically, seafood soup / stew.

Zuppa di Pesci

But examine the soup carefully – and you’ll notice that it’s a Southern Italian-style seafood stew with seabass, salmon, mussels, prawns, scallops, squid, olives, basil and capers. Endlessly flavourful, it’s the ocean in a bowl and more. It leaves a wonderful seafood aftertaste in the mouth. 

I actually asked for another bread basket. Just so I could dip more bread in the stew. 

a real Seafood Medley

Dessert

And then, there is dessert. The desserts here are the BEST thing in the entire menu – don’t leave this place without trying at least one.

The Tiramisu is a show stopper.

Tiramisu in a glass

In my previous review of Basilico, I also had this item – except that back then, it was called Tiramigu intead of Tiramisu. However, the contents remain identical: Marsala and mascarpone sabayon, savoiardi biscuit crumble, espresso coffee gel, bitter valrhona chocolate, and coffee ice cream. It is just as divine and enjoyable – my guess is that patrons kept confusing the name and hence today (at the point of writing) the name Tiramisu wins.

Not a Drink

For a lighter, fruity option that’s just as divine, the Budino alle Pere con Gelato alla Vaniglia won’t let you down. The sweetness of a Tuscan poached pear pudding, combined with a creamy high quality vanilla gelato, added with crunch of caramelised walnuts – it is a dessert marriage made in heaven.

If I had to describe Affogato, it is more than just espresso and vanilla ice crea. Affogato is literally the dessert after the dessert. Or a legitimate second dessert.

Affogato al Caffe

The husband and I have ordered it on so many occasions that we’ve lost count – and we have enjoyed it, every single time. Here, the server brings us a glass of vanilla ice cream with a chocolate topping, as well as a little pitcher of espresso. 

Wam Espresso over Vanilla Ice Cream. Yessssss.

Pour the Espresso over the ice cream and chocolate. Watch it slowly melt… or dig in immediately. The warm, bitter, coffee juxdaposed against a cool, creamy, sweet vanilla velvet … that’s just the best way to end the meal.

To date, this is the best Affogato I’ve found in Singapore – I honestly can’t recommend it enough. There is something magical about this – Be it the Illy Coffee or the house-made Tahitian vanilla ice-cream or its entire combination, this is an indulgence we look forward to every single time.

If coffee can be a lover, I’d pick you

Basilico Food Review: Love Dining Discounts 

To learn more about the love dining programme, check out my guide right here.

For this Basilico food review, the husband and I made THREE visitations to the restaurant.

Thanks to American Express Love Dining benefits, I received 50% off the meal (condition: minimum order of two qualifying items for two adults) 

Amex Love Dining discounts were applied as such:

Basilico Food Review – First visit

• Pizza Ortolana – $31.00
• Gnocchi Pasta – $31.00
• Wagyu Beef Lasagna – $34.00
• Pear Pudding – $14.00
• Affogato – $10.00

– Subtotal: $120.00

– Amex 50% discount = minus – $60.00 

– New Subtotal: $120.00 – $60.00 = $60.00

– 7% GST: $4.62

– 10% Service Charge: $5.98

– Total Bill: $70.60

Basilico Food Review – Second visit

• Pizza Funghi – $28.00
• Sea Bass – $38.00
• Tagliatelle – $35.00
• Tiramisu – $12.00
• Affogato – $10.00

– Subtotal: $123.00

– Amex 50% discount = minus – $61.50

– New Subtotal: $123.00 – $61.50 = $61.50

– 7% GST: $4.74

– 10% Service Charge: $6.16

– Total Bill: $72.40

Basilico Food Review – Third visit

• Seafood Stew– $38.00
• Pizza Diavola – $29.00
• Pasta with Cod and Olives – $32.00
• Foie Gras – $34.00
• Affogato (x2) – $20.00

– Subtotal: $153.00

– Amex 50% discount = minus – $76.50

– New Subtotal: $153.00 – $76.50 = $76.50

– 7% GST: $5.89

– 10% Service Charge: $7.66

– Total Bill: $90.05

Want some Love Dining?

Apply for an American Express credit card and get bonus points!

American Express Platinum Charge Card (Image source: American Express)

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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