Skip to content 
Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
Somma Review: Imagine this: itโs a breezy late September evening, the vibrant streets of New Bahru buzz with that cool neighbourhood vibe, and itโs the opening night of Somma, Chef Mirko Febbrileโs 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 thatโs destined to knock your socks off. And if youโre not wearing socks (this is New Bahru after all), Somma will still sweep you off your feet: of that weโre certain. So this is a โforward Somma Reviewโ 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 itโs been there forever.
With suggested soft lighting, rustic wooden tables, ceramics, and a warm, earthy palette, Sommaโs vibe should immediately invite you to kick back and relax whilst fine-dining. Youโll half expect someone to hand you a glass of wine as soon as you walk in (hint: ask for it, Iโm sure theyโre 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 itโs 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.
โI think the ethos of our food is that it is simple and never gimmicky, but thereโs a lot of complexity behind it. It will be Italian, but not as you know it,โ said Chef Mirko. โAs a young Italian, my experiences are cosmopolitan, so my inspirations from nature and artisanship will come through in a unique, modern way.โ
โThe 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.โ
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 Sommaโs head of research and development. Jeanette Ow, the former pastry chef at Claudine, is Sommaโs pastry director. Febbrileโs 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, itโs 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, Iโd 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 โsumโ 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 letโs talk about the real stars of the show โ the food and the Somma Menu. If Chef Mirko Febbrile had a culinary superpower (which Iโm convinced he does), it would be teleporting you straight to the Mediterranean coastline with a single bite. One moment youโre in New Bahru, and the next, youโre in a sun-soaked village on the Amalfi Coast. You can practically hear the waves crashing.
Here are some guesstimates from Islifearecipeโs 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 isnโt just any burrata, folks. Chef Mirko will take the classic creamy ball of cheese and elevate it with a lemony zest thatโll 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 youโve 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? Letโs wait and see.
3. Risotto al Mare
Chef Mirko will prove that risotto doesnโt 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.ย
5. Lemon-Basil Gelato
Chef Mirkoโs homemade lemon-basil creation will be so refreshing akin to a palate cleanser, and youโll 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 theyโll also share how Chef Mirko came up with the dishes.
Chef Mirko Febbrile: The Man Behind the Magic
Now, letโs take a moment to talk about Chef Mirko Febbrile himself, because, letโs 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 heโs 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, heโs 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 youโve ever had the pleasure of chatting with him (or even watching one of his many cooking demos), youโll know heโs as charismatic as his dishes.
Chef Mirko Febbrileโs food philosophy is simple: โLet the ingredients shine.โ At Somma, youโre guaranteed to find that each dish, no matter how complex, stays true to this philosophy. Thereโs an honesty to his cooking thatโs 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. Thatโs going to be the magic of Somma: so says ourย Somma Review.
Chef Mirko Febbrile will do it again, folks. Somma will not just be another restaurant in New Bahru; itโs going to be a destination to visit. Whether youโre 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, donโt be shy โ ask him about the food and the resto. You never know, you might just get a killer food recommendation out of it.
Now, if youโll excuse me, Iโm off to dream about the opening of Somma. See you thereโฆ 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 ainโt going in your Borat-kini hereโฆย
