of mojitos and other madness: buono!

there's something about these off the beaten track type places that always intrigue me and stir up some familiar fantasies of setting up my very own cafe, similar to those that litter the bohemian streets of melbourne and new york....i guess its the laid back vibe these places exude, plus of course, the fact that these places almost always serve up some really authentic and good quality grub that instantly draw me to them. with many of these places really living off recommendations passed around through friends and family, it really is kinda nice when you are told of or treated to a meal at such a place as it really makes one feel that you are in on a fabulous secret! that was precisely how i felt when we headed to buono one evening, thanks to g's brother's recommendation for a family birthday celebration dinner.

really tucked nicely in a corner of serangoon gardens, it was quite amazing how just being a block away from the madness of chomp chomp you actually find a cosy corner rustic italian joint. open by an an italian-singaporean couple, buono apparently has been secretly satisfying the italian cravings of many central dwelling singaporeans. the food is very simple and classically italian - think buffalo mozzarella and tomato type appetisers, pastas ranging from classic bolognaise to low cooked risottos, wood fired pizzas and of course those rich italian desserts. the variety is pretty typical but buono's edge is in its earthy, keeping to tradition type approach that i felt, came out of its dishes.

for starters, we tucked into some fresh buffalo mozz with sweet tomatoes and tender strips of prosciutto wrapped around sweet rock melon. mains around the table saw the pastas dominating and while they were good - think al dente and i think homemade too - i think the pizzas are the one that i would come back for. made fresh (you can actualy watch the chef knead the dough and put your pizza together!) and delivered hot out of those awesome wood fired ovens, i think these classic italian style pizzas are the only way pizzas should be eaten. no deep pan pizzas for me! think fresh crisp bready base, homemade tomato paste and generous mozzarellas forming the foundation of any of buono's pizzas (i particularly love the signature pizza with its overflowing portion of fresh rocket!), buono definitely gets my vote for serving up some authentic pizzas.

do remember to save space for dessert, especially if you are molten chocolate cake type of person. buono serves up quite a mean rendition! we didn't have tummy space to try any other of the more classic italian sweets so the mental note's been made for the return visit!