Gotti Italiano: Free-flow weekend brunch from S$38 and a refreshed a la carte menu

Gotti Italiano is having a moment. The Amoy Street stalwart, long known for its bold, unapologetically Italian personality, has stepped into a new chapter.

This new phase includes a new executive chef, a reimagined a la carte menu, and its first-ever weekend brunch.

Gotti’s next chapter

At the centre is newly appointed executive chef Alessandro Giustetti, who spent time in the kitchens of Italy’s two-Michelin-starred La Trota before helming restaurants including Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar, Zafferano Italian Restaurant & Lounge (now called Altro Zafferano), and Pasta Bar.

He brings over 20 new dishes to the a la carte menu — described as a love letter to native Italian flavour — alongside La Dolce Vita, a new S$38 weekend brunch that launched in early July and leans into the warmth and generosity of an Italian grandmother’s Sunday table.

Underpinning both is Gotti Italiano’s idea of convivio: The Italian instinct to gather, eat well, and linger a little longer than planned.

Besides the brunch launch, chef Alessandro’s overhaul also touches nearly every section of the a la carte menu; think octopus sous-vide for two and a half hours in the tentacolo di polpo (octopus tentacle, S$36), a wagyu knuckle spin on beef tartare in the battuta di manzo (hand-chopped beef tartare, S$32), and reworked pasta mainstays such as the aglio nero olio e gamberi (black garlic oil, shrimp, S$32) and a 12-day fermented black lemon powder finish on the cacio e pepe (cheese and black pepper, S$28).

Free-flow, full table

Brunch runs every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am to 3.30pm. Its priced at S$38 for adults, S$20 for children aged six to 12, while kids under six can dine for free.

Those looking to spruce up their weekend can choose from two 90-minute free-flow boozy beverage tiers (extra S$38 per diner) — the main difference being your choice of tipple.

The La Dolce Vita pours lean, sweet, and celebratory — mimosas, bellinis, rossinis, and prosecco on rotation — while those who’d rather their glass lean bitter than bubbly can opt for the Aperol Social Club, anchored by Aperol spritz, negroni sbagliato, and barrel-aged negroni for a more grown-up, aperitivo-driven route.

Both tiers can be further upgraded — free-flow Moet & Chandon at an extra S$40 per person, for anyone looking to make the afternoon feel a touch more occasion-worthy.

With drinks flowing, the food followed suit. Every table starts with Nonna’s Daily Greens, a seasonal salad that changes daily depending on what’s freshest. 

On the Saturday afternoon we swung by, that meant a healthy mix of cherry tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, and walnuts on a bed of greens.

Of the carb options we tried, the standout was the risotto al tartufo (truffle risotto), made with carnaroli rice, parmigiano reggiano, shimeji mushrooms, and truffle. It’s a rightfully rich, earthy, umami-forward serving that leans indulgent without much need for adornment.

It’s almost hard to go wrong with anything laced with truffle these days, and this risotto was definitely one of the best creations using this popular ingredient.

The ravioli cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper ravioli) takes a more textural left turn, oven-baked with cherry tomato, thyme, orange, and pecorino.

We didn’t expect a dish that’s typically heavier and creamier to be this light and aromatic. Instead of cheese as the focus, it was merely a ravioli filling, creating a pleasant, balanced pasta dish that didn’t overwhelm — especially welcome when the food is unlimited!

On the pizza side (of which there are three varieties as well), the margherita alla Gotti keeps things classic with yellow San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte, and heirloom tomato — a cleaner, more tomato-forward take than your average margherita.

The tomato’s acidity came through clearly, and the dough was delightfully light and airy, just the way we like it.

For a bit more protein on your pie, the salame blanca will fix you right up: A white-base pizza with fior di latte, provolone, salame Napoli (Naples-style salami), and oven-baked cherry tomatoes, turning out savoury and slightly spiced from the salame, without the tang of a red sauce.

It’s probably the slice you’ll want to request for seconds — the tastiest of all the slices we had that afternoon.

To close, everyone gets the limoncello tiramisu, layering savoiardi, limoncello, mascarpone cream, and white chocolate, served tableside.

It’s a lively presentation: The chef wheels a sizeable wooden board into the dining area, and the bartenders yell their hurrahs.

This version is a citrus-spiked spin on the classic that reads lighter and boozier than the traditional version, with the white chocolate rounding out the sweetness.

Did we enjoy it more than the classic? Hard to say; this was a zesty, punchy number in a different league from a dark, rich, coffee-driven dessert.

But considering we’d already worked through some fairly carb-heavy plates by then, it landed as a welcome palate cleanser.

An afternoon you don’t want to end

By mid-afternoon, La Dolce Vita hits its stride: A DJ spinning pop numbers in the background, bartenders flipping bottles with a bit of showmanship at the bar, and tables of guests clearly enjoying their 90 minutes.

It’s brunch made for properly enjoying your time off work — the kind you’d bring a bigger group to, order rounds for, and let the afternoon run long.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, check out Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice’s newest flagship outlet at Jewel Changi Airport, and these birthday deals and discounts for your special day.