A Review of Torno Subito: Massimo Bottura's First Outpost in Singapore

The cutest design, complete with a pizza oven direct from Italy

26 Dempsey Road, #01-02

Singapore 249686

Link to Torno Subito Page

Torno Subito (literal translation: I'll be right back) is the fun and exciting brainchild of Chef Massimo Bottura. The place is decked out in whimsical sailor colours and wine cellars masked as beach houses. Everything in this restaurant is loud, eccentric, but so tasteful. I'd like to call this the art of Massimo Bottura. His restaurants and concepts are clear as with his design aesthetics. It's simply gorgeous. Torno Subito is the first outpost in Singapore for Chef Massimo Bottura and I hope this is just the start of his venture in SEA.

A little surprise antipasti platter

Torno Subito is what I call the in between of a fine dining and casual dining spot. We were surprised with a little antipasti platter to start the meal. It was a showcase of the Emilia-Romagna region.

We have been to Torno Subito about three times now. Once for the ala carte, once for the tasting menu and once for Alta Marea event. Everytime we visit, the one thing that we look forward to is the Anchovy butter. Trust me, it is amazing. and it would be more amazing if they sold it like their bottles of balsamic vinegars.

The food is a mix of classic and progressive Italian. We see a few classics that were on the menu at Osteria Francescana make its way into the menu here at Torno Subito but for the most part, Torno Subito has it's own set of dishes to call its own. The food quality is really outstanding and everytime we crave some really good Italian food that tastes like the Italy we have in our mind, this is the place we go to.

How adorable are these serving dishes during Alta Marea

Another stand out point is the service staff. Laura, one of the restaurant managers, served us on all 3 occasions and she is incredible, sharing her experiences moving to Singapore, telling us about her time at Osteria Francescana and her hometown. We also treated very well by the Sommelier who let us taste some of their Italian whites before deciding on our wines for the night. For us, food can be great, but service and hospitality maketh the experience. And that is the reason why we keep coming back.

Booking

If you would like to try one of their events (e.g. Alta Marea), which is super fun btw with endless sparkling and treats, do remember to book ahead. Otherwise, we never had an issue just walking in for a meal.

Accessibility

The closest bus stop at CSC Dempsey Clubhouse is about a 5 minute walk and buses 105, 106, 123, 7 and 75 run at the bus stop. Just walk up the zig zag path to the building at the top and you will see Torno Subito.

Alternatively, there is Grab and also plenty of parking spaces available. Though I should pre-warn that Torno Subito, true to its Italian roots, has plenty of really good wines. So perhaps, leaving the car at home might be a wise decision.

The Damage

60 ++ per person onwards. There is a variety of options for selection, including ala carte as well as their Alta Marea set and tasting menus which are both priced at 178 ++.

Would we recommend:

Yes! Torno Subito fills a unique and much needed niche in Singapore, a casual yet upscale place that is fun, playful and sophisticated. More importantly, one that is large enough to host a big group with great pizza and pasta.