Da Paolo at Rochester Park – Bar & Bites

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Having had such a wonderful and memorable Christmas dining experience at graze, I returned there on a different occasion barely a couple weeks later. Unfortunately it doesn’t open for lunch so da paolo, its adjacent neighbor at Rochester Park, played host to us instead.

Da Paolo Bistro Bar

Comparing Rochester Park in daytime and nighttime, I have to say that there is a stark contrast. In the day, this place seemed almost lifeless with few customers, if any, even during lunch hours. The alfresco dining areas at graze and da paolo are not even open, with chairs flipped over and tables blanketed with canvas. My advice is to visit Rochester Park only at night, because that’s when it becomes much sexier and livelier. I plan to check out the very chic bar called “one rochester” soon!

But for now, let’s just take a look at da paolo bistro bar.

Da Paolo Bistro Bar

This isn’t da paolo’s first restaurant. It has a few other successes in places like club street and holland village. But the Rochester Park branch definitely has the winning design. Like the other restaurants at Rochester Park, it is housed in a restored colonial bungalow. The courtyard has been converted into a charming alfresco dining area, and the old swimming pool is now an outdoor bar!

Besides the huge expanse of space dedicated to outdoor dining, the bungalow itself offers indoor dining with its own bar so that people may wine and dine in comfort.

Bruschetta con Melanzane e Acciughe (Braised eggplant, garlic and anchovies on grilled bread)

Bruschetta con Melanzane e Acciughe
(Braised eggplant, garlic and anchovies on grilled bread)
SGD10++

We had a few appetisers, with this bruschetta con melanzane e acciughe being the most interesting one. The bread had been grilled just right and the eggplant, garlic and anchovies combined to form a nice topping.

Melanzane alla Parmigiano (Eggplant layered with mozzarella, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and basil)

Melanzane alla Parmigiano
(Eggplant layered with mozzarella, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and basil)
SGD14++

Okay I’m pretty sure I got the name of this dish wrong, but it looked and tasted pretty much like lasagna. It was very flavorful and rich in cheese.

Calamari

Calamari
SGD17++

As for the fried calamari rings, I feel that it is a staple dish in all Western meals. This particular one was unfortunately too chewy and rubbery in texture. And to add salt to the wound, the miserly portion of calamari cost a hefty $17! It was more expensive than most of the main courses in the menu! What’s up with that, da paolo? Were those famous squids or something?

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Lasagne alla Bolognese
SGD15++

The main course I ordered was the lasagna bolognese. This is one of those dishes that can’t go wrong. (no wonder it’s garfield’s favorite food!) but because of the generous amount of mozzarella cheese, I felt full pretty quickly. And yes, I know it’s minced beef and all and I’m no longer eating beef. But I couldn’t find any vegetarian, chicken or seafood dish that I liked on the menu. This is the first time I had eaten beef in a year, or perhaps even longer.

Tuna Spaghetti

Tuna Spaghetti (fish of the day)
SGD?++

The fish dish of the day was tuna spaghetti. Now, I’m extremely picky when it comes to fish, and the only ones I eat are cod, salmon and dory. Tuna has never been a personal favorite. So it was rather surprising that I actually kind of liked the tuna spaghetti.

Cannelloni con Spinaci e Ricotta (Home made pasta rolled with spinach and ricotta)

Cannelloni con Spinaci e Ricotta
(Home made pasta rolled with spinach and ricotta)
SGD16++

Okay this is another dish that I’m pretty sure I got the name wrong. I apologise but I really struggle with long dish names especially when they aren’t in a familiar language. Anyway when it was served we all commented that it looked like one huge tofu with gravy! Also, it kind of looked like my lasagna don’t you think?

Fusilli con Pancetta e Pepe (Short pasta with bacon, sweet onions, black pepper and parmesan cheese)

Fusilli con Pancetta e Pepe (Short pasta with bacon, sweet onions, black pepper and parmesan cheese)
SGD19++

The fusilli pasta turned out to be the most pricey dish of the day. Who would have thought?

Tiramisu

Tiramisu
SGD10++

After an ensemble of starters and mains, it’s time for desserts! The tiramisu was a little on the bland side.

Torta al Cioccolato (Flourless chocolate cake)

Torta al Cioccolato (Flourless chocolate cake)
SGD10++

But fortunately, the flourless chocolate cake fared way better! The flourless part sounded rather intriguing — great news for all the atkins and South beach dieters! As it turned out, this chocolate cake was marvelous and for me, it was the best part of the entire meal.

So the food at the bistro bar didn’t fare exceptionally well, which is understandable since it appears to be more of a bar than a restaurant. For those who want a reprieve from work, over some nice wine and candlelight, this would be the perfect place. But if you’re looking for a good and satisfying meal, any of the other da paolo restaurants would probably be a much better option.

Da Paolo Bistro Bar
3 Rochester Park
Singapore 139214
(65) 6774 5537
Service:

www.dapaolo.com.sg

About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her on Twitter: @sparklette.

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17 responses

Leave your comment

pkchukiss
January 10

Oh dear, it is 3am in the morning, and you have already got me ready for a DINNER sized meal! Just how do you take those pictures?
I am definitely very hungry now! The Torta al Cioccolato looks very inviting, but perhaps it is because I have a fetish for chocolate?
Reply
Mandy
January 10

Duuuuude, that flourless chocolate cake is GORGEOUS looking. You took an awesome shot of that, it’s gonna make me crave chocolate all day now! How harsh! :P
Reply
chocoholic_in_rehab
January 10

this ISNT helping my rehab!!! WOW… Looks absolutely delightful! good review matey
Reply
Veron
January 10

Teehee you guys are adorable! Now, now, I can perfectly understand why Mandy leaves a comment past 4am our time. But what are the rest of you kids doing here at this hour?
Reply
pkchukiss
January 10

Lol, you see, pkchukiss has insomnia, and so tries to bore himself to sleep by reading. But rest assured that pkchukiss can’t sleep after looking at those pictures…
Reply
Rachit
January 11

Oh dear … how many pictures you take …
And how did you manage to find time to eat , in between those 300 camera shots you took!
BTW, I think you were being gracious to De Paulo Rochester, my own review was much more harsh (http://www.rachit.org/an-evening-with-the-ladies/)
Did you see the upstairs decor? It looked like it was under construction … :P
Reply
KopiSusu
January 11

thanks for all the infor. pls write more where and how to find good local food?? coming to Singapore in July from Canada. love yummy food and solo traveller too! + good cup of cafe latte.
Reply
Veron
January 11

Hey Rachit,
Not only do I have to spend time taking pictures of the food, my meal partners have to wait patiently too *lol*. They know about my blog and my picture-taking ritual. I do it quickly. Fortunately no one has lost patience with me yet.
I didn’t head indoor at all. Was it that bad? The place probably looks much better at night, with it being dark and all.
Read your review! Well this being an upmarket place the prices on the menu hardly surprised me. But I still find the $17-calamari ridiculously priced!
Reply
Veron
January 11

Hey KopiSusu,
Another female solo traveller! Yay! Drop me a mail when you come by. I can recommend some places!
Reply
Pammie
February 1

Hi babe, happened to drop by.. Im just wondering whether Graze or da paolo will be better in terms of ambience and food quality.. Since you have been to both, mind giving me some opinion?? Thanks babe.. =)
Reply
Veron
February 1

Hey babe, graze is definitely better in terms of food and service. As for the ambience, it is awesome at night if you’re dining al fresco. I haven’t been to Mint (its indoor bar) though.
I was at Da Paolo in the daytime, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to judge whether this place has a better ambience (I’m assuming you’d be there at night). But I would say that graze is probably a safer bet. Have fun!
Reply
tweetie
November 7

Heya Veron, I chanced upon your page bcos i was searching for a nice place to celebrate my birthday tonite!!!
After i’ve seen those pics… I’m already drooling and made my decision, hiak hiak hiak!! I’ve also noted a few of the dishes’ name to make sure I order it!
Thanks for putting up such a great review! I’m sure I won’t be disappointed ( hopefully!!!!! )
By the way, your blog design is really beautiful (so are you! *wink*) – I used to blog, but have not been doing so for a long while… sigh
i’ll be back here for more!!!!!!
Cheers!
Reply
Veron
November 8

Thanks for your compliments tweetie sweetie. I hope you had a memorable dinner!
Happy (belated) birthday!
Reply
Fen
September 15

Hi Veron,
Just to let you know that I have taken your Da Paolo’s Tiramisu picture and inserted it into my blog. I have anknowledged and linked it back to your blog. Hope you will not mind.
Reply
Veron
September 16

I don’t mind at all! Your cake reviews should come with a warning though. My mouth totally salivated at the yummilicious photos!
Reply
Fen
September 17

Thank you for your compliment. Your blog also makes me hungry too :)
I like the layout of the blog, lovely colour combinations… very soothing to the eyes…
Reply
henry
January 3

welcome to dapaolo bistro bar again
Reply