It's certainly been a while but finally, I think I've chanced upon a restaurant that delivers both in terms of service and food and ambience.

Located at UE Square, Bonta's been around for about a year now, but for some reason, registers in my mind as something far newer. The menu doesn't strike one as overtly Italian, but more Australian-Italian, and heavier on the foie gras and seafood options, although the chef is Italian.

For someone who is trying to not consume meat, the choices are a bit limited but the quality is in no way compromised.

Anyone who has read the reviews of Bonta will know of their famed complimentary bread in a cup. Hot and crumbly, breaking into this loaf led to a scattering of crumbs all over the table - there is absolutely no way to eat this elegantly! Stick your knife in, tear the bread apart and you're treated to a soft, hot, fluffy interior with bits of sun-dried tomato and crumbly cheese in the centre. Dip it in the accompanying pesto and this could almost be an appetizer on its own. Delicious.

For the starter, I chose the zucchini flower which came lightly crumbed and deep-fried, and stuffed with a mushroom ragout of sorts. The dish comprised two large flowers, piping hot and crispy with no overtones of oil or grease. The stalks were firm and juicy, the flower generously stuffed, and the shaved parmesan providing a natural salty flavour.

An oven-baked spinach crespelle was my main and this comprised two large spinach pasta stuffed with a smooth, sticky and thick blend of fontina cheese and porcini mushrooms. The stuffing came with small chunks of mushrooms for a more earthy bite and taken together with the melted, molten brown 18 month parmesan topping, this was a one addictive pasta dish that though deceptively small in portion, left me with absolutely no room for dessert.

Service was attentive without being intrusive(any crumbs from the bread was discreetly swept off the table before the mains arrived), and the guest relations officer came up personally to speak with us, remember our names, asking for our comments and the like.

Interesting menu, good quality, generous portions, professional and polished, understated elegance. One of the better Italian places around.