Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
Somma Review: Imagine this: it’s a breezy late September evening, the vibrant streets of New Bahru buzz with that cool neighbourhood vibe, and it’s the opening night of Somma, Chef Mirko Febbrile’s latest restaurant. You can already feel the excitement in the air as foodies near and far await what promises to be the next big thing: I wonder if Islifearecipe.net will get an invite to do a Somma Review. Well, we did do him proud with our review of Fico.
Chef Mirko, the culinary genius behind Fico, has outdone himself once again, with a whole new Mediterranean concept that’s destined to knock your socks off. And if you’re not wearing socks (this is New Bahru after all), Somma will still sweep you off your feet: of that we’re certain. So this is a ‘forward Somma Review‘ from Islifearecipe about what we think it is going to be like, based on the breadcrumbs that Chef Mirko has been leaving on social media: ENJOY!!!
New Bahru, with its eclectic mix of old-world charm and contemporary chic, has never been short of fabulous eateries, but Somma will be the latest star to brighten the culinary sky in this locale. The restaurant will soon feel like it’s been there forever.
With suggested soft lighting, rustic wooden tables, ceramics, and a warm, earthy palette, Somma’s vibe should immediately invite you to kick back and relax whilst fine-dining. You’ll half expect someone to hand you a glass of wine as soon as you walk in (hint: ask for it, I’m sure they’re cool like that). If they do, please add that to our Somma Review.
The culinary wizard who put Fico on the map (which is needed because it’s in the middle of nowhere East Coast), has a knack for creating dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. But at Somma, he is going take things to the next level. Think Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary twist, a dash of nostalgia, and a sprinkle of chef-driven top-end magic. Chef Mirko is known for pushing boundaries, and Somma feels likely to be the edible love child of innovation and tradition.
“I think the ethos of our food is that it is simple and never gimmicky, but there’s a lot of complexity behind it. It will be Italian, but not as you know it,” said Chef Mirko. “As a young Italian, my experiences are cosmopolitan, so my inspirations from nature and artisanship will come through in a unique, modern way.”
“The space will be full of textures like oak, ceramics and plush fabrics to convey a new perspective on what a fine dining experience can be. The service will be generous and intuitive, embracing comfort and simplicity.”
Joining Febbrile at the front-of-house is director of operations Vincenzo Donatiello, formerly of the vaunted Piazza Duomo in Alba, Italy. Loris Caporizzi, late of Restaurante Borago, is Somma’s head of research and development. Jeanette Ow, the former pastry chef at Claudine, is Somma’s pastry director. Febbrile’s partners are the Lo and Behold Group, which is also behind Fico, New Bahru, and concepts like fine dining restaurant Odette and Tanjong Beach Club.
Hey, it’s all under wraps at the moment, so we used our mate GenAI to spin up what we think a chic and cool new-look Italian could look like at New Bahru. Wow, if Somma looks like this, I’d be first in the queue, haha. Islifearecipe.net commits to updating these with actual photos of the resto once we have visited.
Somma, which translates to “sum” in Italian, is a much more ambitious venture than Fico. It features a fine-dining restaurant, a cocktail and pasta bar, and Somma Lab, a dedicated space for his research and development team. They also intend to offer educational classes there, covering topics such as wine, pasta, fermentation, and pastry: put me on the mailing list for that please, Chef.
Now in our Somma Review let’s talk about the real stars of the show — the food and the Somma Menu. If Chef Mirko Febbrile had a culinary superpower (which I’m convinced he does), it would be teleporting you straight to the Mediterranean coastline with a single bite. One moment you’re in New Bahru, and the next, you’re in a sun-soaked village on the Amalfi Coast. You can practically hear the waves crashing.
Here are some guesstimates from Islifearecipe’s Somma Review of what we predict Chef Mirko to be plating when Somma opens, for which again, we promise to do a full Somma Review for you. Again, to caveat, this is not the actual Somma Menu, but rather our guesses of what it could look like:
1. Burrata al Limone
This isn’t just any burrata, folks. Chef Mirko will take the classic creamy ball of cheese and elevate it with a lemony zest that’ll make you pucker and smile at the same time. Paired with fresh figs and a drizzle of honey, this dish will be like a summer holiday on a plate.
2. Polpo alla Griglia
Do you think you’ve had grilled octopus before? Think again. The Polpo alla Griglia at Somma will be a work of art. Tender, smoky, and paired with a zesty chimichurri sauce, this dish will have you waving goodbye to your old favourite seafood spot: maybe Blu Kouzina gets ousted from the #1 spot by Chef Mirko? Let’s wait and see.
3. Risotto al Mare
Chef Mirko will prove that risotto doesn’t have to be heavy. His Risotto al Mare will be light, fresh, and packed with the flavours of the sea. Every bite is like a gentle sea breeze, carrying hints of saffron and seafood straight to your awaiting gob.
4. Tagliata di Manzo
This one will be for the carnivores. Perfectly seared steak, thinly sliced and served with a side of roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Simple, classic, and tagged to be utterly delicious.
5. Lemon-Basil Gelato
Chef Mirko’s homemade lemon-basil creation will be so refreshing akin to a palate cleanser, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Chef Mirko Febbrile knows that dining should be an experience, and at Somma, you will get the whole package. The servers will be undoubtedly friendly, and knowledgeable. They will guide you through the menu, and they’ll also share how Chef Mirko came up with the dishes.
Chef Mirko Febbrile: The Man Behind the Magic
Now, let’s take a moment to talk about Chef Mirko Febbrile himself, because, let’s face it, this guy is a legend in the making. Born and raised in Puglia, Italy, Chef Mirko has cooking in his blood. His culinary journey has taken him from the kitchens of Europe to the bustling food scene in Asia, where he’s made a name for himself as one of the most creative and innovative chefs around.
At Fico, Chef Mirko wowed diners with his fresh take on Italian cuisine, and now at Somma, he’s going to be exploring his Mediterranean roots in a whole new way. Every dish is likely to be infused with his passion for food, his love of tradition, and his desire to surprise and delight now with fine dining. And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with him (or even watching one of his many cooking demos), you’ll know he’s as charismatic as his dishes.
Chef Mirko Febbrile’s food philosophy is simple: “Let the ingredients shine.” At Somma, you’re guaranteed to find that each dish, no matter how complex, stays true to this philosophy. There’s an honesty to his cooking that’s rare to find in a world where food trends can sometimes overshadow the basics. And yet, Chef Mirko manages to make even the most basic ingredients feel exciting. That’s going to be the magic of Somma: so says our Somma Review.
Chef Mirko Febbrile will do it again, folks. Somma will not just be another restaurant in New Bahru; it’s going to be a destination to visit. Whether you’re desperate for Mediterranean flavours, curious about what magic Chef Mirko is brewing at Somma, or just looking for a great night out, Somma is going to have something for everyone. Plus, the laid-back atmosphere is going to make it a spot where you can relax, have a laugh, and savour some seriously good food and libations.
So, if you want to be part of the latest food craze in New Bahru, head to Somma later this month. Islifearecipe.net commits to attending and updating this Somma Review with actual photos of the resto, the food and, of course, our honest and unpaid review for the food.
If you spot Chef Mirko wandering through the restaurant, don’t be shy — ask him about the food and the resto. You never know, you might just get a killer food recommendation out of it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to dream about the opening of Somma. See you there… Ciao!
Somma Restaurant Address
Is Somma Restaurant Halal?
Absolutely not.
What is Somma dress code?
We have to assume smart / smart casual as it is tagged to be fine dining. Hey, you ain’t going in your Borat-kini here…
