Perched on level 5 of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore is an Italian gem of a restaurant, Dolce Vita. Located next to the hotel’s luxurious pool with stunning views of Singapore’s skyline, dining here feels like a resort experience where one can take your own time catching up with friends and family while being transported to a villa in Tuscany. Casual and yet refined.

Award winning Executive Chef Marco Pedrelli from Cesena, Italy, brings his own special touch to elevate Italian cooking to an art form. The cuisine is flavorful and authentic, yet the presentation is modern and rivals the best restaurants in Singapore. For exceptional Italian fare that everyone from yourself to your Italian grandmother will appreciate, make a reservation at Dolce Vita; you won’t regret it. (Jul 2012)

"At first glance, the place may look like a casual poolside joint. But Mandarin Oriental’s signature restaurant, Dolce Vita, is an understated destination for contemporary Italian cuisine." -Appetite Asia

Everything from the décor, to the presentation and dishes were well thought out. Upon being seated, we were offered still or sparkling water, bread with a variety of dipping sauces (the Basil Cream was excellent!), and then served an absolutely delicious amuse bouche of grilled asparagus with Iberico de Bellottaham and morel ragout. We were about to ask for seconds when we realized we were in for a treat, looking at the menu offerings.

For appetizers, the Timballo di granchio, a timbale of jumbo crab with avocado mousse, mango salsa and lemon zest dressing, was surprisingly light and refreshing. For soup lovers, the roasted butternut squash soup and lobster bisque were both excellent, smooth on the palate and extremely flavorful.

When it came to the main course, we couldn’t decide between their three most popular pastas: the braised oxtail-foie gras cannelloni with creamed spinach and Parmesan cheese, the crab and leek ravioli with ragout of baby leeks and Champagne sauce, and the spinach-ricotta cheese tortellini, so we ordered the Tris di pasta, which includes all three! If pasta is not your thing, their halibut is cooked to perfection and pairs well with the accompanying mushroom sauce.

And now comes the favorite part of our meal: dessert! The choices here are plentiful and we couldn’t decide. So we did what we do best, order them all! From their creme brûlée and coffee-mascarpone mousse infused with rum and marsala wine, to their slow poached white peach and apple tart.We couldn’t pick a favourite and polished the plates clean.

All in all, our meal at Dolce Vita was perfect and we can’t wait to return. Their menu changes seasonally, while retaining the favorites, so there will always be something new to look forward to. (Jul 2012)

DBS (Indulge): 15% off total food bill.

UOB Dining Privileges: 15% off total food bill or 1 dines free with every three paying brunch diners (excludes champagne brunch).

UOB Preferred Platinum American Express/PRVI American Express: 15% off total food bill.

Ladies' Pool Lunch:
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore warmly invites ladies to Dolce Vita for an idyllic afternoon of wine and delectable Italian cuisine. From now till 29 March 2013, indulge in an exclusive three-course set lunch menu by the outdoor pool, topped with a glass of Prosecco.

The menu begins with “Capesante alla griglia”, an appetiser of grilled succulent Hokkaido scallop with fricassee of green peas, caramelised baby gem and split lobster sauce. For mains, “Trota allo Champagne” pleases the palate, with Champagne poached Tasmanian ocean trout served with shellfish mousseline, new potato pearls, shimeji mushrooms and Champagne foam. “Crema di latte” for dessert, along with a glass of chilled Prosecco, makes lunch a delightful experience. Treat yourself to chilled milk curd with Alfonso mango, Tahitian vanilla ice cream and lemon verbena foam. Round up lunch with coffee or tea and delicate pralines.

The Dolce Vita Ladies’ Lunch set menu is available from Mondays to Fridays, and priced at SGD88 per lady. Price is subject to 10% service charge and applicable government taxes.