The Pirata restaurant group, which is the same team behind massively popular pasta spot Pici and Italian bakery Pane e Latte, has opened its first and largest development yet in Taikoo Place. The new 18,000sq ft and 400-seat multi-concept destination houses four different restaurant and bar concepts including trattoria-style Italian restaurant La Favorita and outdoor terrace bar Tempo Tempo, as well as two Japanese venues: Honjokko and TMK Funk & Rolls which, as you can probably by the name, are offshoots of their other restaurants Honjo and TMK. The Sixteenth is named after the numerical title of this district and, thanks to its variety of options for food, drink and entertainment, there are plenty of options all in one place.
La Favorita offers a menu of Italian classics. Think handmade pasta dishes such as lobster tagliatelle, a cheese wheel al tartufo, and 1kg Bistecca alla Fiorentina to be shared. The drinks menu is filled with cocktails from the 60s and a wine list that takes you on a journey through Italy. The interior, with its eccentric textures and patterns, reflects the flamboyance of Italian opera houses in the 1960s and impresses with its fun and nostalgic presentation.
The big outdoor terrace bar Tempo Tempo is perfect for enjoying fresh air and city views as you sip on cocktails and canapes. Lined with lemon trees, the alfresco bar encourages you to lounge and offers everything from champagne cocktails and Aperol spritzes to spirit-forward martinis and more. Nibbles and snacks can also be ordered including Italian pizzetta, sliders, and cold cuts.
Not unlike its sister restaurant Honjo, Honjokko offer a modern take on Japanese cuisine but with more sushi and sashimi options. Highlights include an aromatic hamachi truffle and decadent Wagyu uni sushi, along with hot grilled items such as pork belly and lamb chop. Inside, a more feminine touch has been added with paper umbrellas on the ceiling and hand-painted screens by mural artists Elsa Jeandedieu Studio.
Over at music-inspired TMK Funk & Rolls, a more soulful riff on the interior adds a grooviness to this restaurant. Expect to hear the likes of James Brown and Marvin Gaye while you sample the Japanese-American cuisine with handrolls, temaki, nori bowls, sushi and sashimi on offer. Complete the experience with sake, Japanese highballs and draft beer and you'll be on the TMK soul train in no time.