Closed Down!
Visited on 15 Nov 2014 (Sat). Pontini is an Italian restaurant helmed by head chef Daniele Sarno, serving authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. This brand new Italian buffet by Chef Daniele, features a plethora of antipasti, breads, soup, main courses and desserts, using the finest ingredients from Italy.
New Price: $58++ per person - Additional Foie Gras Station, Seafood on Ice, Live Rotisserie and more desserts! (Updated in August 2015)
Time: 12 - 3pm (Italian buffet only available on Saturdays and Public Holidays)
Closed on Sunday
The Story of Chef Daniele Sarno
Their Ala Carte menu placed beside the entrance
I love this long walkway towards the restaurant with wall water-fountain on both sides !
You may come in to this waiting area if you're early...
This is the live station to prepare à la minute dishes!
My favourite Italian Bread counter!
Probably would have been better if they could prepare a toaster? Warm bread would taste nicer..
Cheese Counter
For cheese lovers, there's a really wide variety of cheeses and jam, some which looked really exotic...
And here is the interior of Pontini - Cosy, homely setting, without the stifling feeling; with a lovely curved layout too!
Really bright and airy with a high ceiling, near the windows. Looks really comfy for a good brunch!
The view from our window seat - Zouk! Haha..
Antipasti
A really huge variety of quality antipasti. Every item was really flavouful and authentically Italian.
Assorted Italian cold cuts, Home-Cured Scottish Salmon platter and Red beetroot...
Staple Italian foods; mixed olives, sundried tomatoes, marinated artichoke, cherry tomatoes etc
Chef creation salads; Baby Octopus "Moscardini", New Potatoes, Green Beans & Dill Salad (on the right) Roasted Capsicum & Italian Cannellini Beans Salad (on the left) Top: Smoked Tuna Carpaccio
Be warned the Marinated Anchovies are really salty, but I guess that's what makes it taste so "Italian". The Homemade Porcini & Spinach Frittata went well with any of the dressing below.
Check out the range of dressing available! Lots of options on top of the usual olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Potatoes, Leek & Rosemary
Classic Italian Minestrone
Left: Vanilla Lemonade - Consists of Vanilla, Rosemary, Lemon Soda. This was a very refreshing beverage for palate refresher - I love it so much! :)
Right: Pink Cucumber Punch - Consists of Pure Green Tea, Cucumber, Raspberry Sweetener. This was very cooling! As you can see, the different colors in the top and bottom layers, makes for a wonderful refreshing combination!
You can order the Main Course, Pasta and Pizza from the menu in this wine glass!
The menu for main course selection. For this buffet, you get to choose ONE main course per person. Other than the main course, everything else is "unlimited" servings.
Char-Grilled Lamb Rack, Eggplant Ragout, Belgium Endive & Fresh Thyme Natural Jus
My partner chose "medium" for his lamb rack and we were not disappointed. The meat was still tender and juicy as you can see from the picture.
Roasted Barramundi Fish Fillet, Pumpkin & Sage Mash, Snow Peas Salad & Grain Mustard Sauce
My favourite dish! The meat was tender, the skin was crisp, and the natural taste of the fish was well brought out. A pity I feel that the pumpkin didn't really complement the fish that well. But that's just my own preference... Pumpkin lovers will still like this combination nonetheless.
Unlimited servings of pizza and pasta. For the pizza, you can choose from a selection of "greens" and ONE main "meat". For the pasta, you get to choose from three pasta types, cooked in a choice of 5 different ways.
Pancetta Pizza with Black Olives, Capsicum & Cherry Tomatoes
Smoked Salmon Pizza with Artichokes, Baby Spinach & Mushroom
Tagliatelle Pasta with Wild Mushroom & Black Truffle Pesto
The pasta was excellent! For our choice of tagliatelle with mushroom and black truffle pesto, the pasta was the perfect consistency, and the chunky mushrooms were full of flavour, all emanating the wonderful smell of truffles! Pasta portions are not big so you can choose a second variety if tummy space allows ;)
Guess what station is this?
Yes it's my favourite station - Live Crepe!
Chocolate chip filling inside with strawberry and almond topping... and more chocolate drizzled on top... Love it!
A small dessert station... Would have loved more variety...
Tiramisu
The tiramisu here was too creamy that I couldn't taste anything else, no rum or espresso taste...
Panna Cotta with Mango Sauce
I like the blend of sour mango sauce with the sweet panna cotta!
Raspberry Lychee Gelee
The best "in-between" dessert. A little sour but cleans your palette and reinvigorates your taste buds!
Chestnut Gateau
My favourite cake - But this was really really super rich... remember to leave some stomach space for this awesome cake!
Pear & Chocolate Tart
My first time trying pear tart with chocolate. I must say the pear and chocolate complemented each other very well with crisp tart pastry!
Strawberry Mint Tartlettes
The pastry was crisp and the cream was very aromatic with buttery taste! Not forgetting the fresh strawberry atop.
Coffee & Tea (part of the buffet too!)... I like my Cappucino with the Grand Copthorne Hotel logo on the foam! Italian food with Italian coffee, a nice finale to a wonderfully Italian Meal. :)
Overall Impression: Service here was really good! I'm so glad to see Chef Daniele in person as he will go to each table to ask how was the food! I find this was really nice of him, trying to gather feedback from the guests in person to see how he can improve.
The food and dessert quality was quite good, except the pizza and Tiramisu needs improvement. Do note that they will only serve your main course after you finish your antipasti, pizza and pasta. If you prefer to have your main course first, remember to inform them when you place your order. Their menu rotates regularly so you might not have the same menu as me. I would say this is a Value For Money Italian Buffet that you have to try!
*Recommended*
It's such a hassle to make reservation through phone - Book now through Chope for Instant Reservations!
