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La D’Oro perfects the essence of Italian-Japanese cuisine with the best seasonal produce from both countries


Borrowing its name from the Italian word for ‘gold’, La D’Oro brings a sophisticated polish to the exciting genre of Italian cuisine finessed with Japanese techniques and ingredients. Located in the sophisticated Mandarin Gallery mall along Orchard Road, this culinary showcase offers all-day dining convenience at La D’oro along with a hidden counter-style omakase space dubbed La D’Oro Fine Dining. 

Presiding over both concepts is Chef-Owner Yohhei Sasaki, a veteran Japanese chef with over 20 years of culinary experience in Italian restaurants across Japan, Italy, and Singapore. Ever the thoughtful perfectionist, Chef Sasaki goes to great lengths to deliver on his vision of originality, the principle that he holds most dear to his craft. He was most recently Chef de Cuisine at Il Cielo before seizing the opportunity to helm his first restaurant as chef-owner.

Chef Sasaki has also scored a coup by bringing in acclaimed pastry chef Ohata Keiichi from MICHELIN 2-Star La Cime in Osaka, in his first overseas role. Chef Keiichi’s luminous dessert creations are featured at La D’Oro for dine-in and takeaway. 

 

Tagliatele Hokkaido Snow Beef A5 Bolognese ($36)


Cuisine with Originality

At La D’Oro, an all-day dining menu offers comfort food of Italian classics done right, with some inspiration from Japan. Look out for the daily selection of Japanese Sakoshi Bay oysters, dressed with yuzu mustard vinaigrette and Japanese seaweed rice chips (from $16). The Insalata Caprese ($28) stays traditional with buffalo mozzarella, San Daniele prosciutto, Italian Datterini tomato and mesclun salad. Tagliatele Hokkaido Snow Beef A5 Bolognese ($36) features homemade pasta with the prized Wagyu that has fine, delicate marbling patterns due to its cattle that are grown in the extreme cold of Hokkaido. Pizza Bismarck ($32) calls for a Japanese poached egg, mortadella ham, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese to complete the hearty meal. A tempting array of specialty cakes and pastries are showcased at the entrance for dine-in or convenient takeaway.


La D’Oro

A la carte dishes and confectionery

At La D’Oro Fine Dining, a 12-seater black granite counter surrounds an open kitchen where the action takes place. It is here that Chef Sasaki gives full reign to his exciting Italian-Japanese cuisine, exquisitely presented on dramatic tableware and featuring the finest produce from Italy and Japan. He serves an Omakase menu in tune with the season.


La D’Oro Fine Dining

Lunch Omakase: $158 (5 courses)

Dinner Omakase: $258 (8 courses)


‘Secret Noodles’

For guests of La D’Oro Fine Dining, a secret final course is unlocked at the end of your lunch or dinner omakase. This aglio olio dish was initially chef Sasaki’s remedy for any diner who is not totally satiated. It is fast becoming a star attraction in its own right. Instead of a typical olive oil-based aglio olio, this special version uses a concentrated house-made stock simmered for eight hours, made from French organic chicken (reared in Malaysia), Australian chicken and black chicken, katsuobushi, niboshi (dried sardine), kombu and vegetables. 100% semolina flour spaghetti is made with very little water to achieve the chef’s desired texture and requires a ramen machine to cut it due to its firmness. The pasta is cooked with umami-rich stock and is 100% slurp-worthy, as per the chef’s suggestion as slurping allows the diner to fully experience the flavors. Eating it with chopsticks completes the cheeky sensation of ‘having a ramen supper’. 


Black marble and liquid gold

The entrance of La D’Oro restaurant is sleekly screened by palazzo bi-fold doors. Once inside, the space showcases a mid-century modern inspiration, from the curves of the banquette seats and chairs to the sharp lines that delineate the walls. Bold black frames are softened by the golden glow from a centerpiece light fixture, imbuing the space with a sense of warmth. Its extensive wine cellar is artfully incorporated into the design, providing easy access to the restaurant’s close-to-400-label collection. In addition, its main walk-in wine cellar delineates the space between the two restaurants, providing a glimpse of both sides. Within La D’Oro Fine Dining is a tucked-away private room holding up to 12 diners, where private parties may also partake of the omakase menu. 

A fine selection of Italian wines is offered by the glass and bottle, encompassing every important wine region in Italy from Piedmont to Tuscany. In addition, fans of fine wines from France and New World regions are not left out.

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