Buko Nero Always Hits A Spot

We went out to dinner to mark our 15th wedding anniversary. Among all the fancy restaurants and such, we opted for the unassuming but solid Buko Nero. It's a restaurant that has slipped from our radar for years. It was time to re-visit.

Chef Oscar Pasinato and his wife Tracy still helm everything at Buko Nero, with a little help from three staff — two in the kitchen and one on the floor. Imagine, this 20-seater restaurant has been around since 2000, churning out consistent food and fairly fun flavors. It's totally deserving of diners' support. The restaurant didn't request for a credit card deposit upon making a reservation. They still go by the honor system, a rarity nowadays. 

I really should come by more often. At S$42++, their 3-course set lunch is reasonably priced in this climate, even if I add on $15 supplement for say, a pasta with bottarga and white asparagus. The menu is refreshed with weekly specials. Nice. I was surprised that they still serve bread and a complimentary appetizer at dinner. 

The husband remembered the restaurant's signature Tau Kwa Tower, which is still on the menu! I honestly didn't have any recollection of that. Had to order that. It's literally salad perched atop warm tau kwa, drizzled with kecap manis, what's not to like? The kitchen kindly split the soup for us into two smaller bowls. Had to have the borlotti beans soup with crab and Thai basil.

We shared the mains of tagliolini with lobster, and a seared sea bream on a bed of sea urchin and orange salsa. Both were excellent. In our younger days, we would have done two pasta and a fish. Now, we couldn't even make it to a meat main anymore. The husband managed to do dessert. He made space for it because it said 'Horlicks Delight'. He can't resist anything that includes his childhood favorite of Horlicks. He inhaled it all by himself. 

I am glad that the wine list is extensive and the prices are coherent. At least I'm not smacked over the head with overpriced wines. Well, alcohol in Singapore is already heavily taxed, and the bars and restaurants simply mark it up even higher. I didn't mention anything about celebrating an anniversary to the restaurant. I'm not looking for complimentary items (no stomach space), and I don't want dessert or things to come written with 'Happy Anniversary' on the plate or something. NOT MY STYLE LAH. I just want to have my dinner and quietly leave with a happy stomach.