Nestled in the historical enclave of Jalan Besar, one might miss Pasta Inc. with the blink of an eye. But fret not, with large banners adorning the exterior of the restaurant; it has caught the eye of many passer-bys who drop in to savour what the restaurant has to offer. Pasta Inc. is housed in a rustic shop house that is increasingly rare in Singapore these days. The restaurant was started by three brothers in December last year and operations have strictly been kept a family affair to ensure quality control of the food and service. With a wide-ranging menu boasting many household dishes, diners at Pasta Inc. would certainly be spoilt for choice!

• The Vibe
  Pasta Inc.'s interior is a soothing blend of crystal lights and maroon curtains. The owners have spent a great deal to accomplish this tranquil décor so as to give diners a romantic and comfortable dining experience. The unveiling of a curtain reveals an inner section which contains four additional tables. In total, Pasta Inc. can house a maximum capacity of ten tables and the purpose of keeping it small is so that each diner is well attended to.

• The Food
  We kicked off the meal with the ubiquitous Calamari Fritti Con Salsa Alla Diavola ($9.80). It is fresh squid rings coated in secret recipe batter, deep fried and served with special cocktail sauce. The squid is chewy with full of bite, and the cocktail sauce is a delightful sidekick for the calamari as it made the dish very light on our palates. Another starter worth a shot is the Funghi Trifolati Alla Romana ($9.80); it is Portobello mushrooms sautéed with olive oil, garlic and parsley. The mushrooms thinly sliced for diners' convenience and the woody aroma is strongly evident in this popular fungi.

  What would an Italian meal be without eating pasta? The signature dish of Pasta Inc. is the intriguing Spaghetti Pescatore Al Nero Di Seppia ($16.90). The spaghetti consisted of fresh seafood like clams, mussels, prawns and squids tossed in squid ink sauce. The pasta, done “ al-dente ” here at Pasta Inc. is firm to the bite and the savoury sauce carried a tinge of white wine which enhanced the dish's flavour. Keith, the director, pointed out that this dish is the restaurant's best seller and it certainly deserved the tag. However, do exercise caution as the squid ink lingers in the mouth and should be avoided at business lunches. Also a firm favourite with the lunch time crowd is the evergreen Fettucine Alla Carbonara ($15.90). It is ribbon pasta cooked with bacon and onion in cream and white wine sauce with egg yolk. What sets Pasta Inc.'s rendition apart from others is the generous dosage of herbs like oregano and bay leaf to concoct a splendid cream sauce with a dash of white wine. The result: A silky smooth sauce that is easy on the throat and light on the palate. If carbohydrates are not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other main courses to select from. A dish strongly recommended by the chef is the Ossobucco In Cremolata ($27.90). It is veal shank, braised with tomato and white wine, flavoured with garlic, lemon zest and rosemary. Meticulously braised over slow fire for hours, the end result is a sight to behold. The whole shank is smothered in Italian herb sauce and with a slight touch from the fork; the flesh falls off the bone with utmost ease. The meat is tender coupled with the sweetness of root vegetables permeating upon further chewing. Served with side dishes like potato wedges and French beans, this dish is certainly worth its weight in gold.

  Round off the meal with the in-house Tiramisu ($8.90), the ever popular Italian dessert which is a traditional Italian cake flavoured with coffee. The presence of kahlua lifted the dish a little. Another dessert that proved to be a hit with diners is the Torta Di Mele Al Mascarpone E Ricotta Gelato ($8.90). It is warm apple pie served with vanilla ice cream and this hot and cold combination worked very well.

• The Service
  The staff is hospitable and always serves its clients cheerfully. By virtue of being a family-run business, the staff here ensures that each diner is well taken care of and that the level of service is kept to a high standard.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Pasta Inc.
Pasta Inc.'s location in a shop house makes it a unique and quaint restaurant to impress your first date. Its romantic décor realizes its full potential at the stroke of nightfall and a candle-light dinner would be appealing to many couples or friends who seek a place outside of town for a nice and quiet meal. With a strong and united cast of chefs, Pasta Inc.'s food is kept at a high standard for diners who seek an audience with authentic Italian cuisine.