Pizzeria Mozza by Celebrity Chef, Mario Batali

"One of the most recognised and respected chefs in America today, Mario Batali brings the much-anticipated Pizzeria Mozza to Marina Bay Sands."

Today was the first day of CNY! The only place we were sure that all restaurants were opened would be Marina Bay Sands. It was already 2.30pm when we met for Tranch (Teabreak cum Lunch). Many people in Singapore think alike and MBS was very crowded with tourists and locals. We were deciding between Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza and French Bistro as they were side by side. Pizzeria Mozza was chosen because of its affordability between the three. It is still very expensive!

Pizza - Bacon, salame, fennel sausage, pancetta, tomato & mozzarella S$37

Mozza has a variety of pizzas for us to choose from. The menu was difficult to read because some of the ingredients were written in Italian. We took a while to decide on - Fennel Sausage Pizza with pancetta. The pizzas are baked with wood fire. The fennel sausage pizza was not a huge one but sufficient for 4 pax. The thin crust was chewy and crispy at the same time. It was delicious.

Carne - Prosciutto di Parma with bufala S$32 - with additional rockets at S$3

After tasting Prosciutto with bufala at IO Italian Osteria in HillV2, I was so taken by the dish that I would order it if I see it in other Italian restaurants. I am not a parma ham lover but when parma ham is eaten with bufala and rockets, wow, amazing! IO Italian Osteria serves the dish with rockets but Mozza does not. I checked with the waitress and she told me that we could order additional rockets at S$2 to S$3. Mozza's version is still delicious but the bufala was hard and not soft like IO Italian Osteria's. So, are you wondering what is bufala? "Buffalo mozzarella (Italian: mozzarella di bufala) is a mozzarella made from the milk of the domestic Italian water buffalo."

Antipasti - Calamari al forno with fagioli & oregano S$18

The waitress explained that the calamari is grilled and not deep fried when we ordered the dish. We went ahead although initially, we were dreaming of the deep fried ones. When the dish arrived, our jaws dropped inside our hearts. At S$18, I expected more calamari. At such an atas pizza place, nobody complained loudly. At least, the squid was grilled to perfection - juicy and sweet.

Antipasti - Chicken wings alla diavolo S$18

When we ordered the chicken wings, the waitress kindly informed us that the wings only come in threes (there were four of us) and that they were spicy. We requested for it to be non-spicy. When the dish arrived, the waitress told us that the chef managed to remove the chilli oil. I find the service good! The wings were juicy and the chargrilled parts were yummy. It was nothing spectacular though. It might have tasted more delicious with the chilli oil.

Only available on Saturday - Lamb Stracotto S$36

On the last page of the menu is their specials. We ordered the Lamb Stracotto - soft meat that could be pulled apart easily with smooth polenta. I like mint too. The lamb had no gamey taste.

Different table paper placemats for each diner

The best part of my experience was the place itself. I rated Ambience full marks because I felt as if I was transported to Italy. The restaurant has nice touches here and there. While waiting for our food, we noticed the paper placemats were interesting enough to entertain us. We even exchanged our placemats to read. The one in the picture is about different Italian Superstitions.

Pizzas are baked by wood fire ovens.

Wine Bar for chilling

Cosy & Classy

The restaurant was warm and cozy. One side of the restaurant was partially enclosed, giving diners the feeling that they were looking out of some sort a large window at the going ons in MBS.

I will definitely be back at this Celebrity Chef restaurant for its pizzas and its ambience. I also could not wait to try their other interesting Antipasti like fried pig ears and gelato.