A new pasta cafe Tipo Strada has opened in Royal Square Novena @ Novena and my colleagues are full of praises for it. Tipo Strada is a halal restaurant which makes it a popular spot for Muslims working in the area.
Let me show you Tipo Strada and their awesome pastas!
Tipo Strada – Design
Tipo Strada is a tiny restaurant. In fact, there are only 4 tables inside the restaurant. Thankfully, there are some alfresco seats which brings the total seating capacity to about 20 people.
The wood-themed decorations gives the place a cosy feeling while panels of pink breaths some life into the place.
The best part about Tipo Strada are definitely the freshly-made pastas. You can see strips of them hanging in a glass cabinet by the entrance in various colors. They make me anticipate my pastas a little more.
Tipo Strada – The Food
There is no physical menu, you can scan the QR code on each table that brings you to the online menu. I have screenshot the menu for your reference.
On the menu you can find panini (Italian sandwiches), build-your-own-pasta, house specials, salads, deserts and drinks.
Paninis are Italian sandwiches made with Italian breads, usually served warmed by grilling or roasting. If cheese and truffle oil are your thing, you will love Truffle Trouble [S$11.90]. The classic combination of beef bacon, black truffle aioli and mozzarella cheese, all melt onto thick fluffy bread.
You can also build your own pasta from scratch. The base pasta (of your choice) is 100g at S$9.90, every additional 50g of pasta is S$3. You can then choose your sauce, toppings and add-ons (additional charges apply).
As the pastas are freshly-made, they tend to have a firmer bite than factory-produced ones. If you like softer pasta, do let the staff know to cook your pasta a little longer.
I am too lazy for that, I usually just order one of the chef-created pastas from the House Specials menu with my choice of pasta.
It’s been a while since I have had a good carbonara so I got the Crazy Carbonara [S$16.90]. It’s really crazy, because it is crazy good. Smoked duck with carbonara sounds weird but it works! The saltiness from the smoked duck lends a smoky flavor to the creamy alfredo sauce. The sous vide egg that sits on top of the pasta gives it a little Japanese/Korean feel but the parmesan cheese shavings brings it back to its Italian origins.
Every table seems to be ordering this orange-colored pasta which turned out to be Royal Ragu [S$14.40]. I was amazed to see a mountain of arugula (garden rocket) sitting on top of smoked beef bolognese and grated parmesan. I don’t particularly enjoy the bitter taste of arugula but its tart and peppery taste adds another dimension to the pasta dish.
Dessert-wise, I felt Tiramusu [S$8.90] is too common so I ordered Hazelnut Praline [S$9.90] instead. It is served frozen like a mini pyramid with chocolate syrup and dried flowers. I love the aesthetic appeal but it lacks the depth of flavor I was anticipating, a total anticlimax to the superb panini and pastas.
Conclusion
Tipo Strada serves some really good panini and pastas. Nothing beats freshly-made pasta and panini. I do wish they have more dessert choices, a good panna cotta would have been perfect.
Tipo Strada
Address: 103 Irrawaddy Road, Royal Square @ Novena #01-09, Singapore 329566
Telephone: 85886183
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm
Website: https://www.tipo.sg