After an exhausting photo walk through the alleys of Raffles Place, I decided to go for a nice, satisfying lunch at Adelphi Mall, which was a 10-minute walk from my location. The walk itself wasn’t too tiring, but because of the midday sun, it wasn’t the best time to be strolling through the streets. The warm weather made it feel even more exhausting, and as I kept walking, my hunger grew.
My plan was to dine at Makanan Bollywood, a restaurant that serves traditional Indian food. If you’ve ever tried a biryani dish at an Indian restaurant, you’ll know that the portions are usually very generous compared to other types of restaurants. That thought made me even more excited for lunch, as I had been building up my appetite during my photo walk.
However, when I arrived at Adelphi Mall, I realized that all the shops and restaurants were closed—it was the second day of the Lunar New Year. I was very disappointed, but I had no choice but to move on and look for other open restaurants.
Luckily, Funan Mall was open. While half of the shops were closed, there were still some restaurants operating. I felt relieved to find that I still had dining options that day. At that moment, my choices included fast-food chains, Japanese restaurants, a Mexican restaurant, and an Italian restaurant.
I decided to go for Italian food this time. It had been a long time since I last had it, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to choose something I don’t often eat.
The name of the restaurant is Romana (Pizza & Pasta)!
The restaurant's design stands out among the other places due to its unique Italian color theme and ambiance. It captures the essence of Italy through simple elements, such as the wood, green, and red color scheme of the logo. The font on the signage also adds to the traditional feel of an Italian restaurant.
The interior feels bright and modern, even though the space is not very large. The ventilation works well, as it didn’t feel stuffy, and I couldn’t smell whatever was being prepared in the kitchen.
They have a wide variety of options on their menu, but their specialties are pizza and pasta. Both look great, but I was particularly interested in having one of their pasta dishes that day.
Then, my cheapskate side kicked in as soon as I saw the set meal they offered for only SGD 12.90. That was almost half the price compared to ordering the dish, dessert, and drink separately, so I thought it was a great deal. So, I went for it!
The set meal allowed me to choose one main dish from the available selections, so I went with the Spaghetti Bolognese. For dessert, I initially had my eye on the Japanese cheesecake, but since it wasn’t available, I opted for the Japanese homemade pudding instead. As for the drink, I felt that hot tea would pair well with the pudding, so I chose that too!
My hot tea was served first! So, while waiting for my spaghetti, I played around with my phone’s camera, taking some dramatic shots of the tea. I liked the sophisticated look of the teacup, so I wanted to highlight it in the photo.
They served the spaghetti next, but I asked the staff to bring out the pudding as well so I could take a nice photo of the entire spread on my table. I felt the photo would look more complete with all the items included.
As I was taking the shots, I started feeling even hungrier because I could smell the steam rising from the spaghetti. This was a clear sign that it was freshly cooked—something Italian restaurants like this take pride in.
As expected, the Spaghetti Bolognese was delicious—I loved it! The pasta was al dente, which is a hallmark of an authentic Italian-style spaghetti dish. This place felt legit, especially since I even saw Italian tourists dining there, seemingly enjoying their food as well.
The sauce was tomato-based, with a tangy flavor that suited my preference. It had a well-balanced taste with a slight sweetness, indicating that they used perfectly ripe tomatoes. Italians don’t mess around when it comes to their sauce—even here in Singapore. I really enjoyed the dish, and I will definitely come back to this place just for it alone!
Time for my dessert!
I was fully satisfied with the main dish, so I was curious to see if the pudding would live up to the same standard. Of course, ending a meal with a nice dessert like this would only enhance my overall dining experience.
My expectation for the pudding was that it should be smooth, silky, creamy, and not too sweet—and it delivered! I really liked it. The caramel was just right, which is exactly what I would expect from a Japanese-style dessert.
The hot tea was the perfect way to finish off the meal. I stayed a little longer, sitting and slowly sipping my tea while writing my review of the food and the place. It helped that the seats were so comfortable. The cushions were like memory foam, making them perfect for sitting for an extended period.
Summary:
Name of Restaurant: Romana (Pizza & Pasta)
Location: Funan Mall, Singapore
Dish Ordered: Spaghetti Bolognese + Japanese Pudding + Hot Tea
Price Range: SGD 5.90 to SGD 30.00
Ambiance: Modern Italian Style
Overall, my experience at this restaurant was truly enjoyable, from the delicious Spaghetti Bolognese to the perfect pudding and tea. The combination of great food, comfortable seating, and authentic Italian flavors made it a memorable dining experience. I will definitely be returning to indulge in their fantastic dishes again soon!
