Tucked away in Regent Hotel is a quiet little slice of Italy by the name of Dolcetto. And it is all things but a bore. Fresh off a facelift after making it past a decade, this mercantino is now part all-day dining, part chocolatier, part gelateria, and part retail shop with over 200 Italian food and drink offerings. The vibe is timelessly elegant yet contemporary where every shopping experience feels like you’re prancing around a Federico Fellini film set.
The cosy all-day 100-seater space is where the classic Italian saying of La Dolce Vita comes alive. Dining in? Curate your own hearty feast and tuck into a wide range of antipasti, handcrafted pizzetta, hearty pasta and sharing plates. There was a truffle burrata pizza ($31) that stood out amongst the others pies. But if you’re looking for a light lunch, the pear pecorino salad ($24) is both fresh and sharp to keep the food coma at bay.
The space is also pet friendly so you're in the clear to bring along your furry pals for a midday alfresco brunch. Coffee and fresh bakes are also readily available to help fuel your creativity while you work away from home. And like true aperitivo hour, which happens daily from 3pm to 7pm with 20 percent off, there are refreshing spritzers, classic Italian cocktails – a pretty solid Negroni – beers and Italian wines to pair.
Don’t leave without checking out the confectionery wonderland. Around the corner unveils a dazzling display of freshly made gelato, artisanal pralines, candies and chocolates that are just quite irresistible. Our favourites are definitely the rich pistachio gelato and refreshing black fig sorbet. There are also gourmet foods such as fine cheeses, fruit jams, pasta, balsamic vinegar and olive oils that make great gifts or simply just to stock up your pantry.
