Chef Mirko Febbrile of the wildly popular Fico is up to something else these days. His latest partnership with The Lo & Behold Group sees the opening of Somma, a dual-concept dining destination in the hip New Bahru neighbourhood.
This new modern Italian restaurant spans two floors, taking over the space that used to be the Nan Chiau Girls High library. On the top floor sits an intimate 36-seater fine dining area, while the lower floor houses a laidback cocktail and pasta bar. As with Fico, Febbrile brings his Puglian heritage and knowledge to the forefront of the six-course dinner menu ($258). The only difference is that while Fico serves a range of uncomplicated Italian fare ubiquitous to the countryside, Somma dishes out dialled-up and creative renditions of traditional Puglian dishes.
Meanwhile, the pasta and cocktail bar Bar Somma offers a lean but mean menu of handmade pasta to pair with house cocktails. Mirko’s Martini ($32) has to be the best dirty martini in town, served ice-cold with a nibble of cheese and a juicy olive. And if you stop by between 6pm to 7.30pm any day, it's unlimited complimentary beef tripe paninis with each martini you order. Other inventive tipples here include the Bolognese Muse ($26) featuring blended scotch and distinct mirepoix flavours (it's an Italian bar, after all), but if classics are what you love, then you won't go wrong with the Margarita for Mel ($25).
Safe to say, both the restaurant and bar nail that sweet spot between effortlessly elegant and casually chic, with just the right amount of edge.
The vibe
Somma's got that contemporary, minimalistic charm we love about all Lo & Behold's concepts, with a tinge of old-school nostalgia — a nod to the old school library that it's housed in.
The food
Creative, modern reinterpretations of traditional Puglian dishes, dreamt up by Chef Mirko Febbrile of the wildly popular Fico.
The drink
Classy cocktails with a tasteful spin — think ice-cold dirty martinis, margaritas, and lovely takes on the Sidecar and Last Word.
Time Out tip
Order the Campari Seltz at Bar Somma before your dinner reservation at the restaurant — it's perfect for whetting the appetite.