Fortuna opens Medusa Osteria Romano at South Beach, serving Roman food in bright crimson decor
Has Singapore had enough Italian food, yet?
The answer is “no”, according to the guys behind the ever-popular pizzeria Fortuna and Fortuna Terrazza, as they roll out Medusa Osteria Romana, slated to open officially on January 10.
Medusa is touted as Singapore’s first osteria Romana (Roman restaurant), and it focuses on flavours straight from Italy’s capital.
The new restaurant is located at South Beach and, compared to the first two concepts, the decor is a lot bolder and snazzier.
Its entrance is decked out in light fixtures and “phonebooth” mirrors to give guests a fabulous welcome, and a spot where they can get OOTDs in.
Further inside, you’ll be greeted by a dining room awash in bright crimson, with an array of overhead LED signs and disco balls as the centrepiece — it feels a bit more like a party spot, unlike other two Fortuna concepts.
Maybe it’s right to say that Medusa is where folks can go to paint the town red!
When in Rome
There’s a rather extensive menu at Medusa, with a whopping 40 dishes, and might be quite challenging for those who’re frequently plagued with decision paralysis.
But for those who consider themselves connoisseurs of cheese and deep-fried decadence, the burrata fritta ($26) is definitely the first thing you should order.
Medusa serves up a ball of creamy burrata enrobed in a light and crispy batter, and topped with guanciale (cured pork cheek or jowl) and carbonara cream to add some dimension to the mild burrata.
Of course, you can’t visit an Italian spot without chowing down on some pasta or pizza.
Pasta is freshly made daily in-house at Medusa, with a diverse selection of sauces, ranging from the Roman classic cacio e pepe to Alfredo.
Interestingly, we’ve heard about the fettucine Alfredo (S$36) countless times in Hollywood films and TV shows, but this is one of the few times we’ve seen it in Singapore!
The OG Roman Alfredo is a simple recipe that involves butter, cheese, and fettuccine pasta, while Medusa jazzes it up using pecorino Romano cheese and Italian butter.
Those who enjoy massive buttery flavours would take a liking to this rich and creamy dish — though it can get jelak (overly rich) fast. The pasta here is on the softer side and can feel rather mushy against the viscous sauce.
As for those who want something hearty, but aren’t as smitten with the idea of so much cheese, the caserecce ($35) is another interesting option.
It’s actually the amalgamation of a few classic sauces, combining cacio e pepe, carbonara, and amatriciana.
Guanciale, sausage, egg yolks, tomato passata, and pecorino Romano? Yes, it’s as punchy and robust as it sounds — though, once again, it can prove a bit jelak.
A pizz of Rome
In case you’re looking for the airy pizza that Fortuna is known for, Medusa makes its pizza with thinner, crunchier Roman-style dough.
With eight different options, you have plenty of options, but we recommend Margherita lovers to try the pomodoro & ciccia (S$30) and let us know what you think!
This one is somewhat similar to the timeless staple, but done with a bit more pizzazz, as its red sauce base is topped with guanciale bits and pecorino fondue.
And Medusa actually does two different forms of Roman pizza — it also offers pinsa romana, which is a traditional flatbread from Rome.
And you’re not gonna believe us, but the broccoli (S$22) pinsa romana was our favourite amongst the pizzas.
It’s topped with broccoli puree, sausage, chilli, stracciatella, and crispy broccoli, combining together for a fresh, fragrant, and comforting profile.
But all carbs and no proteins makes Jack a dull boy, and we recommend pairing all these carb-heavy dishes with a main — the porchetta (S$42), specifically.
Crackling skin and juicy meat, punctuated with scores of fat, Medusa’s self-proclaimed “Italian sio bak” will make anyone swoon.
If you’re still not tired of Italian food, Medusa might just be worth the visit — especially if you’re finding it hard to get a seat at Fortuna.
This was a hosted tasting.
For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on McDonald’s lohei set for CNY and the adorable matcha shop at Haji Lane!
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Wed 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Thu 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
- Esplanade
Evan started off writing about food on Instagram, before joining outlets such as Buro and Confirm Good to pursue his passion. His best work usually comes after his first whisky shot in the morning.
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