GASTRONOMIA packs its way into one of Singapore's most beloved sub-cultures- 'dapao'.
Gastronomia has become my family's default place to get lunch. Admittedly, there's nothing mind-blowing about their food but rather I feel like we're paying to enjoy the variety, flexibility and convenience. It's kinda like visiting the hawker centre or food court- without the hassle. Is it just me or do you find the rows and rows of Tupperware is plain comforting? Whoops, guess it's just me.
I likepeople kid-watching here at Chip Bee Gardens. Every now and then, you see a toddler that reminds of a doll you used to own. Think super cute 'Cereal Killer' tees and baby Crocs ***. Then there are the super cool parents. Folks in their most laid-back get-ups, channeling that whole neighbourhood chic vibe.. with a yoga sling bag, instead of a Chanel or Marc Jacobs tote.
Da Paolo Gastronomia is also one of those places where my sense of rationlizing fails me. The food's ok, the service 'I'm seen better else where', the location so-so (depends on where you are) and the comfort level barely scratching the pass-fail line.
But I still like te desserts better. I'm a dessert nut after all...
Pumpkin soup with rosemary bread roll.
Compared to Soup Spoon, I found their soups lackluster and anaemic-looking. Is it just me or does Gastromonia's breads rools suffer from an overly doughy aroma (a sign that it is underbaked, perhaps) ?
Anyway, most people head straight for the fuss-free safe bet pizzas.
That said, if you like the whole 'doing-doing springy cheese' effect, you are probably not going to like this either.
Moving onto the hot items.
Grilled eggplant
I like the grilled eggplant which was stuffed with mashed vegetables.
The sausages with caramelized onion went down easily enough.
Baked salmon with spinach
While in Copenhagen, I saw supermarkets selling frozen salmon wrapped in puff pastry. Just pop it into the oven for about 45 minutes and you get an incredibly sumptuous meal. In Europe, the puff pastry was as thick as the salmon and the spinach minimal. Here at Gastronomia, I greatly preferred the thin parchment of pastry and the generous spinach slabs made this waistline-friendly.
As I mentioned earlier, you may think, "Gastronomia? big deal... NOT" and you are probably right. The foods' tiptoes on mediocrity and is 'tasty' at best... but to those who value serenity, it seats nicely away from mass civilisation, without getting too far out. As you bite into your pizza, the pace of life trickles to a breathable pace and the kids toddling about look cuter...
Cliche as it may sound: It's all in the experience.
Naturally, desserts are my undoing. The white chocolate, yogurt crumble scores for its tangy but decadent slash buttery play of flavours and textures. A spoonful of it weaves the Life is Beautiful spell on me.
The dark twin chocolate with lemon crumble works along the same sweet-tangy logic, only that it is higher on the zest meter, less decadent and buttery. It's 'nice' (*generic word* alert!) but I like my desserts uber-rich, in a 'falling off my chair you make me breathless' kinda way.
Arh, desserts... how can you not fall in love with them?
*** Note: Crocs footwear should come with this Warning Label- Keep Away from All above the Age of Five
Gastronomia has become my family's default place to get lunch. Admittedly, there's nothing mind-blowing about their food but rather I feel like we're paying to enjoy the variety, flexibility and convenience. It's kinda like visiting the hawker centre or food court- without the hassle. Is it just me or do you find the rows and rows of Tupperware is plain comforting? Whoops, guess it's just me.
I like
Da Paolo Gastronomia is also one of those places where my sense of rationlizing fails me. The food's ok, the service 'I'm seen better else where', the location so-so (depends on where you are) and the comfort level barely scratching the pass-fail line.
But I still like te desserts better. I'm a dessert nut after all...
Pumpkin soup with rosemary bread roll.
Compared to Soup Spoon, I found their soups lackluster and anaemic-looking. Is it just me or does Gastromonia's breads rools suffer from an overly doughy aroma (a sign that it is underbaked, perhaps) ?
Anyway, most people head straight for the fuss-free safe bet pizzas.
That said, if you like the whole 'doing-doing springy cheese' effect, you are probably not going to like this either.
Moving onto the hot items.
Grilled eggplant
I like the grilled eggplant which was stuffed with mashed vegetables.
The sausages with caramelized onion went down easily enough.
Baked salmon with spinach
While in Copenhagen, I saw supermarkets selling frozen salmon wrapped in puff pastry. Just pop it into the oven for about 45 minutes and you get an incredibly sumptuous meal. In Europe, the puff pastry was as thick as the salmon and the spinach minimal. Here at Gastronomia, I greatly preferred the thin parchment of pastry and the generous spinach slabs made this waistline-friendly.
As I mentioned earlier, you may think, "Gastronomia? big deal... NOT" and you are probably right. The foods' tiptoes on mediocrity and is 'tasty' at best... but to those who value serenity, it seats nicely away from mass civilisation, without getting too far out. As you bite into your pizza, the pace of life trickles to a breathable pace and the kids toddling about look cuter...
Cliche as it may sound: It's all in the experience.
Naturally, desserts are my undoing. The white chocolate, yogurt crumble scores for its tangy but decadent slash buttery play of flavours and textures. A spoonful of it weaves the Life is Beautiful spell on me.
The dark twin chocolate with lemon crumble works along the same sweet-tangy logic, only that it is higher on the zest meter, less decadent and buttery. It's 'nice' (*generic word* alert!) but I like my desserts uber-rich, in a 'falling off my chair you make me breathless' kinda way.
Arh, desserts... how can you not fall in love with them?
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