Amici

This is another Groupon find. There were two options: $20 for $40 worth of food, or $50 for $100 worth of food. Since it's an Italian restaurant, L and me agreed that we can reach $100 easily and bought the second option. Their reservation was done via SMS, and I didn't get a reply, so I wasn't sure we got the reservation. But we went ahead nonetheless.

After being seated, we took out our Groupon and gave it to the staff, who then apologetically informed us that to use the $100 value Groupon, it was minimum of 4 to dine. Apparently it was a fine print I missed. So after some discussion, we decided to return another day with a bigger group. Although there was an ongoing promotion for some credit card, we weren't sure that we'll like the food enough to have a second try. (As in, first try that day using credit card promo, and return again to use the Groupon).

So after arranging with some of my girls to return, we made reservations for 4 pax. This time it was done via the phone and I had a confirmation. Again, after being seated, I was informed that to use the Groupon, I had to order 4 main courses minimum. I argued against this because it wasn't written in the fine print, just 'minimum 4 to dine' (not 4 main courses to dine). Looking at the next table's food, we saw that the serving was quite big. We were tempted by several appetizers and desserts, so 4 main courses meant way too much food for us. Finally the server gave in and we got away with ordering only 3 main courses plus extras.

A and me were there first, and very hungry. So we went ahead and ordered fried calamari first, to stave our hunger while waiting for the rest. Lynn managed to reach before the calamari was served, so she managed to eat piping hot, crispy calamari. Unfortunately M didn't, so she had to live with the cold calamari we set aside for her. Their's are real squid (as opposed to floury, non-squidy rings you find in supermarkets). It was crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and so welcomed in my hungry tummy.

Frito ai calamari- Fried calamari

Next up was escargots. Theirs are served by the dozen. Presentation-wise, I have to say it's the worst presented escargots I've ever seen. Instead of the usual specialized dishes with wells for each snail, their escargots were dumped haphazardly on a normal dish. As such, some of the juices have leaked out of the shells. But presentation aside, their escargots were delicious. Perfect texture with just the right amount of chewability, and a great flavor from the garlic butter. Yum! Definitely one of the better ones I've eaten.

Escargots

The Cajun mixed platter was disappointingly small. For it's price ($39.90), I expected a much larger serving. But it turned out to be a small piece of chicken, small piece of fish, and three large prawns. It was a very normal mixed grill, no surprises there at all.

Farina di Combo - Cajun mixed platter

We also ordered a four cheese pizza. The cheese combination was great, and melted perfectly over a flavorful tomato sauce.

Pizza 4 formaggi - Four cheese pizza

Last main course was a squid ink pasta with breaded cod fish. We saw someone eating this at the next table and thought it looked great. The squid ink was so aromatic, and there were generous servings of calamari mixed in the pasta. The breaded cod fish was nice and crisp, and fresh. No overly fishy taste there. Really liked it.

Squid ink pasta with breaded cod fish

Last but not least, tiramisu. How can you visit an Italian restaurant without one? But we were quite full (actually, the two others were but Lynn and me were comfortable. These girls are a lot less greedy than us.), so we ordered one to share. Creamy mascarpone, rich coffee flavor, delicate liquor, and generous cocoa powder. It was a good tiramisu. A, the dessert queen, was a happy girl.

Tiramisu

Overall we really liked the food. Service was pretty good too. But the prices are a little steep. And no complimentary bread unlike the usual Italian restaurants. Without some kind of promotion, it's not very likely for us to return.