Cosy Thirty9 on Duxton Hill delivers comfort Italian cuisine in a homely yet intimate trattoria that may just transport you to the heart of Italy.
Love Italian food but find them fancy Italian restaurants around town too stuffy? Thirty9 is for you.
Nestled within charming Duxton Hill in the heart of Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar District is Thirty9, a cosy and intimate trattoria that would not be out of place in an alleyway in some quiant Italian town or winery in the Tuscan countryside.
Opened by Peter and Giusi Stilli, Thirty9 draws on the husband-and-wife team’s experience in running adjacent Latteria Mozzarella Bar, which has operated in the same spot for over a decade. In Singapore’s challenging dining scene, that’s somewhat of a triumph.
And perhaps that’s why with Thirty9, old is the new new. While Latteria Mozzarella Bar has built a large following over the years with a menu built around Italian cheeses – as you can probably infer from its name – its new sibling instead serves up familiar rustic Italian fare, along with a hint of the Mediterranean, that we’ve all come to know and love.
Like pizza, which Latteria surprisingly doesn’t offer.
Indeed, from decor to hospitality, Thirty9 is casual old-school Italian trattoria. Expect the Stillis to swing by your table to say hi, and ask if the food is up to standard. Which they are, of course. There’s really little to complain about, from the delicious Bresaola to the Fritto Misto di Paranza of battered seafood, because they arrive exactly as you expect.
The Burratina comes highly recommended. A sharp and flavourful anchovy sauce here helps temper the rich creaminess of the soft curds, and you’ll want to wash it all down with a good glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc from Alto Adige.
Pasta offerings are also of a more homely nature. The Ravioli Del Plin offers a lovely twist, though, with a touch of lemon to freshen up the richness of the cream-tossed spinach- and ricotta-filled pasta parcels. On the menu too is Maccheroni Alla Carbonara, done classically Roman style.
And you know the kind of quiet confidence Thirty9 Head Chef Erik Trozza has when he dares to trot out Capellini AOP, an aglio alio that leans on the best yet simplest ingredients. Ballsy.
The turophiles among us will want to order 4 Formaggi. This pizza is loaded with funky gorgonzola, creamy mozzarella, tangy ricotta and sharp parmigiano, a cheese lover’s dream. A drizzle of honey helps balance all that richness, while crunchy walnuts offer texture.
Pro tip: ask for some chilli oil to drizzle on your pie.
There are a lot of options for mains. We settled for the Fiorentina, a beautifully seared hunk of beef that came exactly as advertised. This is Chianti Classico territory, otherwise a Brunello would work too. Thirty9 has a robust Italian wine selection; when in doubt, check with Peter who is a bona fide wine geek.
In a sense, Thirty9 doesn’t surprise. It’s unabashedly rustic and unpretentious, offering familiar favourites in a comfortable and casual setting. Instagrammers may be dismayed, but for the rest of us, this is just the kind of place we want to eat at.
Thirty9
Address 39 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089617 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 12pm to 2.30pm and 4pm to 11pm on Mondays to Saturdays; closed on Sundays
Tel (65) 6717 3939
Web www.thirty9.com.sg
Facebook Thirty9DuxtonHill
Instagram @thirty9sg
Reservations book here
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