I Came To Italy For Pasta And Pizza, But Left With Memories Of So Much More

My husband and I have a little annual tradition where we make it a point to save up for a trip together.

This year, Italy was calling.

I already had a list of regional dishes I wanted to try in every city we were visiting, but if you had asked me what I was most excited about before booking our Grab to Changi, my answer would have been predictable: pasta, pizza and gelato. After all, that’s what most people associate with Italy right?

By the end of the trip, I discovered that Italy had so much more other culinary gems to offer the world.

Milan: More than fashion

Cotoletta alla Milanese (left), Risotto alla Milanese (right) | IMAGE: GWEN TAY

It was my second time in Milan. While my husband was dying to go visit the San Siro stadium, one of the footballing meccas in Italy, I was looking forward to what I’ve planned to eat.

What I didn't expect was how comforting the food would be.

We went to Osteria Brunello in the Brera district for dinner after surviving an Inter Milan match earlier in the afternoon. Our first memorable meal was cotoletta alla Milanese, a beautifully golden veal cutlet that's crispy on the outside yet incredibly tender inside. Every bite was juicy and buttery.

Paired with it was risotto alla Milanese, famous for its rich yellow colour thanks to saffron (also known as the most expensive spice in the world). It was creamy, but also not cloying on the palate. From the moment the waiter placed the dish in front of me, I was repeatedly enticed by the remarkable fragrance of saffron.

Polishing both dishes off with a full-bodied glass of Italian barbera made it all the more memorable.

Bologna: Where even a sandwich becomes unforgettable

Mortadella sandwich (left), Tortellini in brodo (right) | IMAGE: GWEN TAY

While planning for our Italian escapade, I discovered that many Italians consider Bologna one of the country's greatest food cities.

After spending just one day there, I understood why.

I was introduced to a Bolognese staple, the mortadella sandwich. Now, for us Singaporeans, I’m sure a sandwich probably doesn't sound particularly exciting. But this mortadella I had was silky, fragrant and packed with flavour.

Stuffed into fresh bread that was crispy outside and soft inside, it became one of those meals that I still think about whenever I pass by Subway in a mall.

For dinner I was introduced to tortellini in brodo, tiny handmade pasta parcels served in a clear broth. After the first spoonful, I tasted a very savoury broth. The tortellini itself was wonderfully delicate. It's comfort food in its purest form. Think Italian wonton soup!

I could absolutely imagine someone's Italian grandmother serving this every Sunday.

Florence: A city that feeds both your soul and your stomach

Florentine steak (left), Pappardelle al cinghiale (right) | IMAGE: GWEN TAY

Florence is ridiculously beautiful. Every street and corner seemed like it belonged on a postcard.

My husband’s chef friend said that while in Florence, we should absolutely try this dish, and I did read about it so this was already something I wanted to try: the legendary Florentine steak.

I'd seen photos online and watched YouTube videos. Nothing prepared me for the actual size. When it arrived at our table, both my husband and I burst out laughing.

Seared simply over charcoal and seasoned with just salt and pepper, the steak was incredibly tender and packed with juices. Florentine steak is known for being served rarer than most steaks, and though I was initially worried about this aspect, the almost buttery centre complemented by the smoky char was like flavours dancing in my mouth.

It certainly didn't need fancy sauces or complicated seasonings.

Another standout in Florence was pappardelle al cinghiale, broad ribbons of pasta coated in a rich wild boar ragù. The sauce was hearty, earthy and deeply comforting. It felt like the perfect meal after spending an entire day walking through museums, taking a long bus ride to reach a beautiful viewpoint, and pretending we weren't tired AF.

Turin: A delicious finale

Bicerin (left), agnolotti in brown butter sauce (right) | IMAGE: GWEN TAY

I’ve gotta admit - I wasn’t super excited about Turin. My husband just wanted to see more football, and I wanted to go somewhere I’ve never been to. And it was possible to do a day trip from Milan.

Honestly, I thought I'd already experienced the best of Italian food. But boy, was I wrong. 

Our morning in Turin began with Bicerin, a traditional, native drink made with espresso, chocolate and cream. Think of it as a coffee dessert. Extremely rich and indulgent, it’s a must-try at Caffè Al Bicerin, the birthplace of this beverage.

At lunchtime, we walked to Scannabue, an institution here in Turin. We ordered agnolotti in brown butter sauce, a stuffed pasta with meat from the Piedmont region that’s unlike a ravioli. The agnolotti itself was so fun to eat with its chewy texture, and the brown butter was like an orchestra in my mouth.


Brasato al Barolo | IMAGE: GWEN TAY

Then came the brasato al Barolo, beef slowly braised in Barolo wine. Just a little push with my fork and the meat practically came apart. It was one of those “wow” moments that I will never forget in a long time. The almost caramel taste from the beef perfectly balanced with the velvety, luxurious sauce was something I would never have tasted had I not come to Turin.

There is no such thing as "Italian food"

There’s an interesting tidbit I learnt when talking to one of the hotel proprietors during our trip.

While we were talking about the different dishes we'd tried, she casually mentioned that Italians don't really think of their cuisine as "Italian food".

Instead, they identify dishes by the region they come from.

That immediately explained why every city we visited seemed to have its own culinary personality.

The people here are incredibly proud of their regional specialties, recipes passed down through generations, and ingredients that are unique to their hometowns.

I arrived expecting great pasta and pizza. I left with a deeper appreciation of Italian culture, and still dreaming about that Florentine steak.

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