Chicco Pasta Bar: Handmade pastas with set meals from $15 nett

Nestled in the vibrant Holland Village, Chicco Pasta Bar offers an authentic taste of Italy through its handmade pasta dishes. Combining traditional recipes with modern flair, this cosy eatery has become a favourite for students and even adults.

Chicco Pasta - storefront
Chicco Pasta - storefront

Chicco Pasta Bar is dedicated to using only the freshest ingredients to create its pasta, ensuring that every dish delivers an authentic Italian experience. Each pasta is made in-house, providing a true farm-to-table experience that highlights the quality and flavour of each ingredient.

Chicco Pasta -interior
Chicco Pasta -interior

One of the highlights of Chicco Pasta Bar is its affordable set lunch options, making gourmet dining accessible to everyone.

Students can enjoy a specially curated set lunch for just S$15, offering a budget-friendly way to indulge in quality Italian cuisine. This set includes a choice of pasta, a side, and a drink, perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal between classes.

Chicco Pasta - pasta dishes on table
Chicco Pasta - pasta dishes on table

For adults, the S$25 set lunch provides an elevated dining experience without the hefty price tag. This set includes an appetiser, a choice of pasta, and a dessert, allowing diners to savour a variety of the restaurant’s offerings.

What I tried at Chicco Pasta Bar

Chicco Pasta -pork ragu
Chicco Pasta -pork ragu

The GRAMIGNA Pork Ragù (S$20) at Chicco Pasta Bar is a hearty and flavourful dish that embodies the essence of rustic Italian cuisine. Gramigna pasta, known for its short, curly shape, is perfectly suited to capture the rich, savoury pork ragù sauce.

Chicco Pasta - close up of pasta
Chicco Pasta - close up of pasta

Think of it like a porridge with a thick sauce base, short curly pasta and bits of pork. This was not my favourite as I felt that there should be some bite and the pasta should be cooked al dente, but it was not.

Chicco Pasta - aglio olio
Chicco Pasta - aglio olio

Similarly, while the Aglio Olio (S$24) at Chicco Pasta Bar might be a favourite for many, I found it a bit too mushy for my liking.

Chicco Pasta - aglio olio
Chicco Pasta - aglio olio

The pasta was unfortunately overcooked leading to a starchy mouthfeel. The dish, typically known for its al dente pasta and a simple seasoning of garlic, olive oil, and chilli flakes, could benefit from a slightly firmer texture.

Between courses, I did learn from the kitchen that no salt had been added to any pasta and yet each dish had been seasoned perfectly. The secret? A secret stock that they have boiled down to give the pasta that savouriness.

Chicco Pasta - spanner crab pasta
Chicco Pasta - spanner crab pasta

My favourite has to be the Mafaldine Spanner Crab & Bisque (S$24). It is a dish that captures the essence of coastal Italian cuisine. Mafaldine, a ribbon-shaped pasta with ruffled edges, pairs beautifully with the luxurious flavours of spanner crab and rich bisque as it picks up bits of crab meat while clinging to the rich gravy.

Chicco Pasta -spanner crab pasta
Chicco Pasta -spanner crab pasta

The spanner crab, known for its sweet and delicate meat, is the star of this dish. It’s complemented by a creamy, aromatic bisque made from a blend of seafood stock, tomatoes, and a hint of brandy. This bisque infuses the dish with a deep, umami-rich flavour that perfectly enhances the natural sweetness of the crab.

Chicco Pasta - pork chop
Chicco Pasta - pork chop

Next was the Iberico Pork Chop Parmigiana (S$30++). While there was nothing special about this fried pork chop topped with tomato sauce, I did enjoy the moisture that the pork retained.

Chicco Pasta -tiramisu
Chicco Pasta -tiramisu

All the hiccups aside, the Pistachio Tiramisu (S$12) was the best way to end off the meal. The waitress serving it will pull off a plastic cylinder around the tiramisu, allowing the thick cream to flow around the tiramisu.

Chicco Pasta - flowing tiramisu
Chicco Pasta - flowing tiramisu

Theatrics aside, the tiramisu blends the rich flavours of mascarpone cheese with the nutty, slightly sweet essence of pistachios.

Chicco Pasta - spoonful of tiramisu
Chicco Pasta - spoonful of tiramisu

I also loved how they were generous with the coffee that the cakey bottom was soaked in. Dark roasted flavour from the coffee cuts through any sweetness preventing it from being too surfeiting.

Final Thoughts

Chicco Pasta Bar in Holland Village offers affordable set lunches in the heart of town. My take is to skip the dinner à la carte plates but come down for the set lunches if you are feeling something fancy but don’t want to be breaking the bank.

Expected damage: S$15 – S$30 per pax

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