My fiance's friend invited us for her birthday dinner at this small restaurant located in a row of shophouses at Tanjong Pagar. From outside we could imagine how good is the food here coz they are really packed. When we entered the door a cute lady staff greeted us with her big smile. She led us to this big round table in the middle of the main dining room. As we wait for the other guest to arrive we were entertained by some of the staff. One Filipino waitress (im pretty sure coz her accent sold her off) offered us drinks but we just asked for ice water. (which is free by the way hihihi!) While we wait for the other guest's to arrive we looked around the restaurant and found a lot of antique things. On the other side of the room there hang the drawings done by the guest of Pasta Brava. Then there was this old man running around which we learned was the owner of the restaurant.

The other guest's and the birthday girl arrived. As we are famished, we started to order a couple of starters for sharing. We had the calamari and mushroom sauteed. We then started to order our main courses. Most of us ordered pasta. I had the duckling meat pasta and it was so good. But I have to say that my fiance got disappointed coz the fat waiter obviously ordered her pasta wrongly. She asked for the seafood pasta aglio olio but still came out with tomato sauce. The funny thing was that the waiter said becoz "the tomato sauce is the chef's recommendation". It made my fiance really angry but i told her to just calm down. So we just tucked in and finished the big bowl of pasta.

Then came the dessert. We were told that the best selling is the tiramisu and apple pie. So we ordered a couple and try some. The tiramisu is done very well, not so sweet. The apple pie is very good too as this is what they say "italian style" apple pie.

Overall, we had a good dinner but could have been better if the waiters can pay attention to the special request of the diners.

I have always been meaning to try this place after hearing rave reviews and I finally had my opportunity one afternoon after a meeting nearby. Located at Craig Road, it stands out from all the other pubs nearby.

Coming with high expectations, I was recommended the seafood cartoccio pasta which I happily ordered. To start, I had the seafood soup which with bits of scallop and squid I thought was a little expensive at $8. However, those who love their soup really creamy with tomato puree would love this dish.

Now came the main course, which I found alright. Coupled with two crayfish, the pasta is well mixed into the tomato sauce. What I liked about the pasta is that it did not have excess liquids at the bottom of the paper that I am accustomed to.

The dessert was a treat as the custard was made with pure egg whites and was thicker than normal. While the presentation was a little off, I enjoyed the thick pieces of custard which was a nice way to end the meal.

Overall, an OK experience but given the vast amount of good eateries nearby I am not sure if I would return anytime soon.

I really liked this place - the staff were very friendly, it has a welcoming feel and the pasta is cooked just right. My better half wasn't wholly persuaded by her food but we both liked it enough, especially given the atmosphere and the service that we're definitely coming back.

The wife had a mozzarella salad to begin with, she said the mozzarella was a little too hard but I suspect it was just because she realized she'd opted for another purposeless salad when there was real food on the menu just crying out to be eaten. She had some random pasta, which I have sadly forgotten, and pronounced it 'not bad'. Happily, though, I'm writing the review so I've marked more on my score, because I liked the food a lot.

I had the agnolotti farciti al salmone, which was good - cooked just right and with a gentle flavour befitting the salmon. Then the lamb pan-fried with rosemary. Very tasty indeed and cooked exactly as requested. The amaretto pannacotta was very good - served rather more like a creme caramel than a regular pannacotta. It was soft, creamy and the amaretto added a rich edge to it. My wife stole it and I got depressingly little.

The wines by the glass are not that inspiring - which is authentically Italian in my experience... Wines by the bottle looked a little more interesting but not overwhelmingly so.

Edit: been back since and it was still very good. Although we were behind a table of astoundingly loud diners and had to move in order to be able to hear each other speak. At least it shows they were having a good time...

1st visit to Pasta Brava. It's a Monday night and it was packed! There were two big tables and plenty of business diners. I rang in advance to book a table and the person on the phone was courteous and very friendly!

We ordered:

Calamari as starter to share - it wasn't like "wow" but was very fresh. The batter was not heavy and didn't leave you an oily after taste like most fried food.

Steak - was done as ordered! Sauce was great, meat very tender.

Italian sausages with spicy beans and salad - sausages were ok but when mixed with the beans and salad, it became flavoursome.

Tiramisu - too big a portion for one, best to share by two. It tasted ok, could do with more liquor.

Total bill for 2 was $113.00 including two glasses of red. The owner was friendly, service was prompt and efficient. It has a good atmosphere and we will certainly go there again.

Been thinking of dining at Pasta Brava every time I drove past Craig Road and I finally stop procrastinating the idea and organise a dinner with the girls.

We ordered the following

Appetizers

FUNGHI TRIFOLATI ALLA ROMANA (Portobello mushroom sautéed w olive oil, garlic and parsley) - This is really good but the only complaint for this is slightly cold when they serve it. I wish it could be warmer.

BRUSCHETTA AL POMODORO E BASILICO (Roasted French bread topped with tomato, garlic, oregano, basil and olive oil) - I love bruschetta but the one here lack the wow factor for me.

Homemade Pasta (All cooked with passion, I simply love every bit of it)

RAVIOLI VERDI RIPIENI CON RICOTTA E POMODORI SECCHI (Spinach ravioli filled with ricotta and sun dried tomato serve with tomato sauce and basil) I can’t seem to taste the sun dried tomato but the ricotta goes very well with the spinach ravioli. I personally preferred cream sauce to tomato so this dish doesn’t really wow me, but my friend loves it.

CANNELLONI RIPIENI CON CARNE D’AGNELLO (Tubes of pasta filled with lamb, topped with tomato cream and parmesan - Just like what most reviewers from HGW, this dish resemble lasagna. It’s tad oily for me but the lamb taste pretty good.

STRACCI AI GAMBERI E CAPESANTE (Thin pieces of fresh pasta with scallops, prawns, green peppercorn, white wine with saffron cream sauce Now this dish is the best among the 3 we’ve ordered. Creamy yet not heavy, the thin pasta and crunchy seafood pair up really well with the saffron cream sauce. Simply yummy!!!

Dessert

TIRAMISU AL MASCARPONE E CAFFE (Traditional Italian mascarpone cheesecake) - My friend is contemplating if she should order the tiramisu. Like hello??? What is a visit to an Italian restaurant without trying their tiramisu I told her? So she ordered and she couldn’t stop talking about it. The tiramisu here is bit too wet for my personal liking but my friend loves it. Well like I say, personal preference.

Overall a good dining experience, the owner is really friendly and he even came over and had a small chat with us…good food, warm service... I urge everyone to come here at least once to experience the passion of their pasta. As for myself, I will definitely be back to try out the ravioli with fresh salmon that cloudgal couldn’t stop eating. ;)