PocoLoco

PocoLoco
408 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-779

21 Jurong Town Hall Road
#02-00 Snow City

https://pocoloco.com.sg/

Zuppa Di Melone (SGD $5)

Good Italian Fare In The Heartlands

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 8
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $17 per person.


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Founded by the same owners behind popular Thai eatery Siam Square Mookata, Keith Lee and Alvin Chew, PocoLoco is their foray into serving up Italian food in the heartlands. Opening in December 2015, PocoLoco serves classic and premium Italian dishes, well executed consistently with fresh ingredients, in an informal, casual setting, at affordable, wallet-friendly prices. Little wonder that PocoLoco has quickly gained a following!

Ambience at PocoLoco is minimalist casual. Simple, functional, modern dark wood furniture is neatly laid out, while warm lighting sets an intimate mood. The open kitchen allows you to catch glimpses of the team preparing your food, while the outdoor al-fresco area is comfortably sheltered. With sufficient space even for large groups, PocoLoco is suitable both for quick dining, or long, lingering meals.

Service at PocoLoco is befitting of a restaurant, a surprise stand-out for a heartland eatery. Staff are friendly, greeting and quickly seating guests. Orders are taken tableside, and staff display good product knowledge on the menu, being able to describe dishes. Orders are fulfilled quickly, and I also note staff are efficient at clearing away empty / dirty dishes and tables. They also check for feedback on your meal, and will proactively offer drinks or desserts.

Food at PocoLoco is classic Italian cuisine, with dishes done to authentic, traditional standards. Many ingredients are imported from Italy, and key components are made from scratch, including stock bases, sauces, and dressings. Dishes are consistently well executed, refined, and absolutely delicious, as the owners train their staff to ensure quality. Portions are nicely sized for individuals. Despite having premium offerings, prices at PocoLoco are very affordable and light on the wallet, most dishes are capped at SGD $12 each. Budget SGD $17 per person for a full meal here.


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PocoLoco Facade

PocoLoco Microbrewery Exterior

PocoLoco Microbrewery Interior

Menu

Menu Craft Beer

Kitchen

Italy Regions

Cylindrical-Conical Fermentation Tanks

The Beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro (SGD $9) is a straw golden coloured pale Roman lager, whose name means 'Blue Ribbon' in Italian. Poured with a dense white foam head, this beer is known internationally for its young, sparkling, very light body; somewhat odd aroma of grains, skunk, and lemon; taste of crackers, corn, and bread. A really light European beer, refreshing and great for summer days!

Beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro (SGD $9)

The Beer Verde (SGD $7) is brewed in-house, made using seaweed and barley malt. This vibrant, striking green coloured brew has aromas of green apples, pear, and malt. The body is smooth and light, with tastes of barley, wheat, and grass. Finish is short and quick. Very light beer overall, easy drinking and inoffensive.

Beer Verde (SGD $7)

Beer Verde

Beer Verde

The Zuppa Di Melone (SGD $5) is a great summer soup / broth. Served chilled, this refreshing fruity sweet savoury treat is made with juicy rock melon, blended with a little salt and pepper, served with slices of prosciutto crudo / parma ham. Rather uncommon dish, but so delicious, it makes me wish more Italian restaurants in Singapore serve this. Highly recommended!

Zuppa Di Melone (SGD $5)

The Bruschetta (SGD $4) features crisp, spongy toasted bread, rubbed with fragrant garlic, topped with a refreshing, juicy, sweet savoury mix of tomatoes, salt, pepper, and basil leaves. This bright, lively appetizer helps open the palate nicely. Worth ordering!

Bruschetta (SGD $4)

Bruschetta

The Burrata With Parma Ham (SGD $16) is a seasonal menu special, and features thin strips of prosciutto / dry-cured parma ham, crunchy rocket leaves / arugula, juicy cherry tomatoes, and burrata cheese made from buffalo mozzarella cheese and cream, all drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The earthy floral flavours of the vegetables contrast nicely with the creamy, soft, slightly sweet cheese, and the sour floral flavours of the dressing. I did feel the cheese was softer than it should be in texture, but it stands up well in taste. Good!

Burrata With Parma Ham (SGD $16)

Burrata With Parma Ham

The Cozze (SGD $10) features small but plump and meaty mussels, in a luxurious saffron cream sauce. While the texture is more chewy than usual, the mussels have a light sweet savoury flavour which is nice. The rich sauce is thick, creamy, fragrant with saffron spice and onions, giving it a floral earthy sweetness that is so enticing. Worth ordering!

Cozze (SGD $10)

Cozze

The Vongole (SGD $10) features clean, plump and meaty clams, in a tasty white wine gravy. Deapite the texture being more chewy than usual, the clams have a light sweet savoury flavour, and lacks any bitter taste, being nicely fresh. The piquant gravy is light, fruity, fragrant with white wine, onions, and herbs, having a floral earthy sweet savoury flavour that is refreshing. Worth ordering!

Vongole (SGD $10)

Vongole

The Calamari (SGD $7) features fresh, bouncy squid rings, light battered in a crisp, spiced batter that crumbles off nicely. Served with a sweet spicy, fresh tomato sauce that is bright and refreshing, with a slight kick from the chili heat. Good!

Calamari (SGD $7)

Calamari

The Capesante (SGD $12) features 2 deshelled scallops, baked in a lovely bell pepper / capsicum puree with cheese and butter. The scallops are plump with a bouncy texture, sweet savoury with a hint of vegetal and cheesy. Pretty good, but small in portion for the price.

Capesante (SGD $12)

Capesante

The Carpaccio (SGD $12) has thinly sliced strips of raw beef tenderloin, fresh, chewy and meaty, savoury sweet in taste. Marinated in lemon juice, garnished with sharp sour balsamic vinegar, crunchy earthy wild rocket leaves / arugula, juicy sweet cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of shaved parmesan cheese. This classic Italian hors d'oeuvre is enhanced with a dash of truffle oil, which lends a lovely earthy perfume to the appetizer. Good!

Carpaccio (SGD $12)

Carpaccio

The Escargot (SGD $15) features a half dozen of deshelled, oven baked snails. Meaty and chewy with a light savoury sweet flavour, the snails pair well with the rich sweet tomato garlic cheese gravy. This is a limited time only dish, under the daily specials, and is not always available.

Escargot (SGD $15)

Escargot

The Lasagne Appetizer (SGD $8) is a smaller sized portion than the main / entree version, but it's just as satisfiying in taste. Layers of lasagne pasta noodles with savoury minced beef ragu, sweet house made tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and fragrant herbs, looking so pretty when sliced through. The appetizing fragrance is enticing, and the portion is suitable for sharing. Highly recommended!

Lasagne Appetizer (SGD $8)

Lasagne Appetizer

Lasagne Appetizer

The Spaghetti Bolognese (SGD $10) here is done to tradtional standards. The spaghetti pasta noodles are al-dente, just slightly firm enough to have a slight bite, with a slight springy texture. The pasta sauce of tomato and minced beef is freshly made in-house, and you can taste the difference in the bold freshness it has. I like that the gravy is a thick, semi-dry style, akin to classic Italian, not overpowering and not watery, more savoury than sweet. My only quibble is I wish the minced beef could have been more generous, but otherwise, this is spot on, and absolutely delicious. Good!

Spaghetti Bolognese (SGD $10)

Spaghetti Bolognese

The Spaghetti Carbonara (SGD $11) here features spaghetti pasta noodles, just over al-dente, having a slight soft texture. The cream sauce is rich yet lighter than most, being less cloying and heavy. While I like the savoury salty strips of chewy bacon, I find it lacks the distinctive smoky taste, being more flat than usual. Still a pretty alright pasta dish, and quite popular with the heartlanders. Decent.

Spaghetti Carbonara (SGD $11)

Spaghetti Carbonara

Said to be invented when, late one evening, a group of hungry customers insisted that a chef, who had run out of ingredients in the kitchen and was about to close shop, just "make any kind of garbage" for their meal. Thus, the Spaghetti Puttanesca (SGD $11) was born. The version here resembles those in Italy, featuring spaghetti pasta noodles, just over al-dente, in a sauce of tomatoes and anchovy fish. Garnished with capers, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves, the result is an incredibly bold, flavourful dish, with notes of earthy, sweet, salty, savoury, fishy, and textures of juicy, soft, chewy. Nice, an above average rendition. Worth ordering!

Spaghetti Puttanesca (SGD $11)

Spaghetti Puttanesca

The Linguine Granchio (SGD $12) features long, flat linguine pasta noodles, done al-dente with a nice bite, tossed in a rich, creamy pink sauce of ginger, garlic, cream, and deshelled crab meat. This dish is nicely sweet savoury, with a light seafood flavour, and I like that the sauce is thick but not heavy. Good!

Linguine Granchio (SGD $12)

Linguine Granchio

The Fettuccine Zafferano (SGD $12) is a luxurious dish, and as its name implies, features a rich, creamy saffron sauce. Fresh seafood, including squid, clams, and prawns / shrimp, all plump and sweet, are tossed in this sauce spiced with saffron and onions. The wide, flat fettuccine pasta noodles are al-dente, having a nice chewy texture, and the sauce clings nicely to each strand. Decadent, feels like you're pampering yourself. Good!

Fettuccine Zafferano (SGD $12)

Fettuccine Zafferano

The Risotto Barbabietola Rossa (SGD $11), or Beetroot Risotto, has a lovely, vibrant pink colour, but the texture is too soft and slightly mushy. While I like the small bits of crunchy beetroot within, lending a nice contrast for texture, the overall taste itself is rather one-note, and gets tiring to finish. This would be great as a base for other ingredients, but as a stand-alone, it's average at best, even though it wins points for being unique.

Risotto Barbabietola Rossa (SGD $11)

Risotto Barbabietola Rossa

Risotto Barbabietola Rossa

The Risotto Porcini (SGD $13), or Porcini Mushroom Risotto, has been tweaked to suit Singaporeans palate. The texture is non-traditional, far too soft and mushy, with too much liquid. However, the strong earthy savoury sweet flavours, from the tender porcini mushrooms and herbs within, make this a delicious dish. Very filling portion, though I'd prefer an al-dente texture for my risotto instead.

Risotto Porcini (SGD $13)

Risotto Porcini

Risotto Porcini

The Panna Cotta (SGD $5) is served in a generous portion, and the pudding has the correct texture, soft and wobbly with a slight firmness, similar in texture to that of tofu beancurd or heavy cream. I like the gentle sweet flavour, and the thin layer of strawberry and raspberry coulis on top lends a balanced contrast of sharp sour. Overall, a very good rendition, also good value for money. Highly recommended!

Panna Cotta (SGD $5)

Panna Cotta

The Tiramisu (SGD $6) here is semi-deconstructed, with a rich creamy custard layer of eggs, sugar, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder, covering an alternating layer of soft and crisp ladyfinger sponge cake / savoiardi, dipped in espresso coffee beneath. The fluffy custard is rich, sweet, and intensely decadent, while the earthy fragrant ladyfinger sponge cake below provides a nice contrast in texture. The strength of the espresso coffee is decent, though I wish it were stronger. This modern take on the classic Italian dessert is rather heavy and filling. Good!

Tiramisu (SGD $6)

Tiramisu

Tiramisu

The Crema Bruciata (SGD $5), also known as the Italian Crème Brûlée, features a rich, creamy custard base, infused with vanilla beans. This gives it a fragrant, lovely floral sweet flavour, and the serving size is rather large. However, the thick caramelised sugar crust on top is more firm than usual, more like a piece of candy rather than a crispy crust. Requires some effort to break through to the dessert custard beneath. Decent.

Crema Bruciata (SGD $5)

Crema Bruciata

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Reserve a table now @ PocoLoco - AMK

Reserve a table now @ PocoLoco - Snow City

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