Prego review: Italian restaurant at Fairmont Singapore

Prego review

Behold everyone – here’s my second Prego review.

For this review – the content here came from a total of THREE visitations to Prego – twice with the husband alone, and once with the entire family.

Yes, we love this place so much that we keep coming back.

Prego at Fairmont Singapore

Anyways. Prego is an Italian dining establishment at Fairmont hotel, Singapore.

The first Prego review written on this blog, was posted over 1.5 years ago.

Since then, the husband and I returned quite a few times to dine in.

Good food aside, one reason we keep coming back: Love Dining benefits that come with the American Express Platinum Charge Card. The both of us consistently get a sweet, sweet deal of 50% off at participating dining establishments.

With such steep discounts when eating out at restaurants in renowed hotels (see hotel dining guide here) or other reputable dining establishments (restaurant dining guide here!) – I honestly cannot recommend the Love Dining programme enough.

That, among other reasons, makes the American Express Platinum Charge card absolutely worth it.

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.

The Restaurant 

I’ve always loved the super vintage-looking seats in this place. It does give old school European vibes and a sense that you’ve stepped into an eatery by the streets of Italy. 

At the back of the restaurant – is a wood-fired oven, made to recreate the traditional method for wood baking Italian pizzas.

Love the vintage-looking bar counter.

Menu

I’ve posted the most current menu at the time of writing, but for the most updated menu, do also check out the Prego website.

Original Menu image source: Prego Singapore website

Appetizers and Side Dishes

While waiting for the food, complimentary Italian foccacia  bread was brought to our table. Served alongside an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip, these were super fragrant and addictive. I’m a real sucker for bread, so it takes a huge exercise of willpower to not fill up on too much bread upfront.

Complimentary Bread: Italian Foccacia

The first appetizer to arrive was the Carpaccio di Manzo. A beautiful medley of sliced beef tenderloin, lemon mushroom salad, arugula, and crisp parmesan come together for a highly  sophisticated starter.

Carppacio di Manzo

Some may find the raw beef and mushrooms a bit much – the flavour was rather strong, so the dish may be suited for those with a more acquired taste.

A simpler starter/side dish, which is also vegetarian-friendly, would be the Carciofi (artichokes) or Broccolini.

Carciofi (Artichokes) and Broccolini

The Broccolini, fried in chilli, garlic, and topped with smashed tomatoes, was fresh and easy on the palate. However, the dish that we preferred was hands down the Carciofi (Artichokes).

It was incredibly well-fried; artichokes are not easy to deep or shallow fry as they soak up tons of oil, but somehow Prego managed to beautifully fry the vegetable that it was crispy and flavour-enhanced without being too oily.

Loved these so much, that the husband and I ordered a glass of wine to share over the artichokes. Haha!

Mains: Fish

There are a number of fish dishes that are worth checking out at Prego. For instance, the Cod.

Roasted Cod

A soft and tender piece of Cod, served with crusted potatoes, pea puree, and bacon slices. The bacon added an extra bit of flavour to the fish – which absorbed all its goodness. Truly enjoyable.

Alternatively, it could be seen as a Bacon and Potatoes dish

Another enjoyable seafood dish – is this sea bass, wrapped in thin pastry, and served with tomatotes, capers, thyme, and broccolini. 

Filetto di Branzino (Sea Bass)

We split the fish open, and its sweet succulent juices gushed out. The capers added just the right amount of saltiness, and it was all very delightful. 

Carppacio di Manzo

Now, if you (i) love Risotto and (ii) smoked fish, this is one place that puts them both together in the same menu.

Risotto Verde con Tonno Affumicato (Risotto with Tuna)

Green Risotto, peas, spinach, asparagus and smoked together – an unlikely but heavenly combination. 

Mains: Pizza and Pasta

If you love Pizza and Pasta, this place definitely does not disappoint. 

For something truly special and luxurious, try the Capelli d’ Angelo all Astice – Angel hair pasta.

Capelli d’ Angelo all Astice (Angel hair pasta)

The Angel hair pasta, tossed with sweet Maine lobster, tomatoes, parsley and chilli – wasa simple dish with extravagant ingredients. So rich, so comforting – if I had to pick a vafourite of the day, this would be it. 

Large chunks of Maine lobster. Mmm.

For those who may find Lobster a tad too much, there is Linguine Vongole: Seafood linguini. Clams, garlic, chilli, parsley, and tomatoes are tossed with white wine and poured atop linguine al dente. Mmm.

Linguine Vongole (Seafood Linguini)

For those who may find Lobster a tad too much, there is Linguine Vongole: Seafood linguini. Clams, garlic, chilli, parsley, and tomatoes are tossed with white wine and poured atop linguine al dente. Mmm.

There is also, interestingly, a seafood (read: cod and scallop) Ravioli.

Ravioli di Capesante, Merluzzo e Broccoli

Wrapped in a dumpling-like shape is a medley of scallop, cod, brocolli. Served with capsicum, tomatoes, and a capers salsa – this was truly unique as well.

Every bite was a seafoody-juicy goodness, lifted by tomatoes and seasoned by capers. 

Scallop, Cod, and Brocolli fillings

For the less adventurous folks, there is always the option of  Carbonara – the standard white cream pasta. Here, spaghettoni (fat pasta) is used instead of the regular thinner pasta –  so it looks somewhat like udon, but tastes exactly like good pasta.

Crisp pork bacon, cream, egg yolk, and parmesan pecorino, anyone?

Spaghettoni Carbonara

At Prego, you can’t go wrong with a pizza called… Prego. 

Prego Pizza

I love their thick, Wood Oven baked pizza here. This one is layered with ham,  mushroom, a bit of sun-dried tomato, mozzarella, cream, and parmesan cheese. 

My kids loved this – and were quick to devour as much as they could hold. 

I’ve had good pizza at other Love Dining establishments – including at La Nonna (Holland Village) or La Brezza (St. Regis Singapore). However, a major selling point of the pizza here – it is VERY, VERY, FILLING.

Tip: if you can’t finish the food, take it home! Or heck, order a whole pizza, eat half of it, and take the other half home for a meal later. I’ve re-heated one-day old Pizza from Prego, in the oven or frying pan, and it tastes almost like the original.

Italian Desserts

What’s an Italian meal without the classical Italian desserts?

For example, the Tiramisu.

Tiramisu

Layers of Espresso, Mascarpone cheese, and savoiardi (sponge fingers) come together in this gorgeous, creamy bitter-sweetness. It’s as classic as Italian dessert can get.  

Warning: it’s a bit of a caffeine bomb

If someone shuns the caffeine of the Tiramisu, but still desires a creamy dessert, the Panna Cotta is a good choice. 

Panna Cotta alla Vaniglia con Fragole

Super creamy and milky, it is served with sweet strawberry basil compote. Overall – with the sauce this dessert ends up more sour than sweet, but I easily enjoyed the creamy softness with hints of vanilla bean. 

Or, want something that’s really super sour? Go for the Lemon Meringue Tart instead. 

Torta al Limone Meringata (Lemon Meringue Tart)

A vanilla tart shell is filled to the brim with Lemon Curd – so sourness is pretty much gauranteed. Topped with slightly burned Meringue and cookie crumbs, I find that people tend to love it or hate it depending on their personal affinity with sour desserts. 

For us – including my kids – this was a definite Love. 

So much Lemon Curd

Want a simple gelato? That, too, would be a viable option. Prego has a selection of gelato flavours available.

Alternatively, you could be like us, and go all out crazy and get an Ice Cream Mud Pie.

Zuccotto Fantasia (with Kahlua Gelato) – Ice Cream Mud Pie

This is a Mud Pie with a twist. The Gelato here is Kahlua flavoured (Coffee Liquor), there are coffee beans IN the Gelato itself, and the exterior is rolled in a Cacao Soil and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

Talk about a coffee bomb disguised as ice cream. 

By the way, the Mud Pie is HUGE – here’s a picture comparing it to the Tiramisu. It’s not obvious in pictures, but the HEIGHT of it isn’t exactly short – so the VOLUME of Gelato there is truly admirable. I highly recommend sharing this dish between 2 to 3 people. 

Or have it yourself, and get a caffeine brain freeze. Hahaha. 

I think my husband and I are crazy / caffeine addicts. Despite that, we had to wash down the dessert with even more caffeine. 

Child Friendly Menu

While my kids were very happy to eat off their parents’ plates, we did get the four-year old her own little pasta as well.

Child Menu: Carbonara

This was slightly regrettable – the child pasta felt like an afterthought. Given that they do adult pasta so well, it was a little sad that the child version looked and tasted substandard. While my kid isn’t a picky eater, she could sense an obvious difference between her version and the adults’ one; nevertheless we made it a whole family thing with everyone eating everything.

The kids Menu is here – but after this incident, I think I’m never going to order from the kids menu anymore.

Complimentary Cake from American Express

Still, despite one substandard child menu item, overall the whole experience was very good – and it was made even better with complimentary cake from American Express. 

Complimentary cake: Mango Mousse

American Express Platinum Charge Card and Platinum Reserve card members get a set of vouchers annually upon renewal – and two of the vouchers give card holders the option of getting either a cake (chocolate truffle or mango mousse) or bottle of wine when dining at participating dining establishments at Fairmont or Swissotel the stamford.

In fact, when my husband and I last dined at Mikuni, we redeemed the chocolate truffle version of the cake.

The cakes do require at least a 2-day advance notice and reservations. However, it’s generally hassle free, and we can take it away to enjoy at home as well – recommended, since one may be overly stuffed with desserts by now. Lol.

Generally, a wonderful time at Prego, great customer service, and awesome memories were made with the family. I really cannot ask for anything more. 

10/10 would come back here again. 

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

Want some Love Dining?

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

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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