There aren’t that many Italian restaurants in Singapore that cure their own meat, make their own pasta, or invent their own type of pizza dough. Come to think of it, there aren’t that many Italian restaurants that do that anywhere. But La Bottega, in Joo Chiat, does all of the above and more. The menu has several standouts, but ordering their “Newpolitan”-style pizza (which has more pillowy dough, extra crispy bottom, and a literal patent pending) with their housemade sausage and the pappardelle with guinea fowl is non-negotiable.

There are a few different options when it comes to seating, but you’ll want to be in their alfresco space, a quaint garden complete with vintage iron benches and cascading ivy. Get a group together, make a reservation, and order everything that ends in a vowel.