Fort Canning is the latest venue to court gourmands and discerning diners thanks to the opening of Gattopardo. Ensconced in the lush vegetation of hilly Fort Canning Park is a Sicilian-inspired restaurant helmed by Lino Sauro and Alex Calabro. This 80-seater restaurant also affords two private rooms and a soon-to-open alfresco area where patrons can gaze at the sylvan canopies while tucking into fine Sicilian cuisine. To the unbeknown, the heritage building will soon be converted into a boutique hotel named Hotel Fort Canning, a boon to Gattopardo’s already-increasing patronage. The restaurant’s name is based on the famous Sicilian novel by Giuseppe Tommasi de Lampedusa “Il Gattopardo”.
 
Sauro is the brains behind Gattopardo’s Southern Italian cuisine, where he tenured at feted DOMVS Italian restaurant located at Sheraton Hotel Singapore. His alliance Calabro, the resident sommelier, dictates the wines that go into their impressive wine list. Just poring through the pages lends a strong suggestion that all their wines are from Italy where Piemonte takes centrestage. Oenophiles can step into the walk-in wine cellar and browse at their 400-plus labels of bona fide Italian wines.
 
The interior of Gattopardo is pared-down chic with muted colours and furniture with clean lines. The building’s heritage architecture blends in with the modernity of the establishment’s interiors. But the true merit of Gattopardo lies in their excellent cuisine Sauro has to offer. With 25 years of culinary experience, Sauro is adamant about freshness and flavours. His insistence of freshly imported ingredients from Italy also ensures that each dish pampers the palate with enticing flavours and memorable textures. In fact, most of the ingredients are flown in almost daily from the Mediterranean Sea. From sardines to monkfish, every visit holds something new for the gastronomically adventurous diner. Another must-try ingredient is the Burrata cheese which is imported directly from Andria in Puglia, Italy. A special liaison with the owner’s small family farm, creates a unique blend of milk to achieve a special texture for the cheese that characterises Burrata, made exclusively for Gattopardo. Pastas here are handmade daily and Sauro’s Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas are not to be missed. The chef uses the finest Italian products such as “00” flour and San Marzano tomatoes to lend an authentic flavour. Pizza lovers have more reasons to celebrate their love for the thin-crust creation as they can sit at the counter and interact with the pizza chef at the same time! They can also choose their favourite seafood from the glass display and select their preferred cooking method – raw carpaccio style or simply charcoal grilled. For starters, the unctuous Sardine alla Beccaficu – a medley of pine nuts, baked black olives, bread crumbs and raisins stuffed into plump, fresh sardines is to die-for. Even the Di Ricciola e Ricci de Mare is a palate refresher thanks to the fresh amberjack and sea urchin drizzled with a zesty vinaigrette.
 
If pasta is up your alley, then make a beeline for the Busiate (Scilian Macaroni) with dried tuna belly and lemon juice or the flavourful Orecchiette (semolina “little ear” pasta) from Puglia, where every spoonful is sheer ambrosia. Not forgetting the Tonnarelli con Pesce Spada e Melanzane – a decadent homemade squid ink pasta cradled by fresh slices of sword fish and char-grilled eggplants. Meat lover’s can tuck into herb-roasted pork belly and char-grilled Cote de Boeuf where tenderness is ensured complemented by some element of heft and chew. Even their desserts require applause and attention – their heady rum sponge cake topped with fresh cinnamon cream and fresh fruits, the decadent Zabaglione which is a classic Italian custard dessert and the Cannolo Siciliano which is a crispy espresso-infused wafer filled with sweet Ricotta cheese. If you want to indulge in some fine Sicilian cuisine, Gattopardo is sure to regale you with their excellent service and memorable creations. For reservations call 6338 5498 or restaurant@gattopardo.com.sg or visit them at 11 Canning Walk. For more information visit www.gattopardo.com.sg