Everyone and their mother loves Fortuna. Yes, that one Italian restaurant along Craig Road with the lively atmosphere, rowdy birthday songs, free-flow chilli oil and to-die-for tiramisu. The Sydney-born brand set its sights on Singapore a year ago and promptly blew up on social media. Much has been said about whether it’s worth the hype, but we’ll let the full tables from this past Monday evening do the talking.
Founder Egon Marzaioli isn’t one to rest on his laurels, so the team have taken the public’s warm reception and run full force with it. This October 1, they are debuting another Fortuna concept just three doors down, complete with the same unmatched, loud and boisterous hospitality.
Splashed out in bright yellow – the colour of the fresh lemons you’d find off the coast of Amalfi in Italy – Fortuna Terrazza is a full-fledged brunch café that stands in stark contrast to its moodier flagship. It’s summery, cute, bubbly, and its waitstaff look the part too, dressed in breezy striped linen get-ups. There’s even an alfresco dining area, though it’s hard to imagine it being comfortable in this unforgiving heat.
The café offers a selection of all-day brunch items, sandwiches, pasta, mains, salads and desserts, alongside coffee and signature drinks. What sets Fortuna Terrazza apart from the countless other cafés along Tanjong Pagar is its hearty Italian brunch fare.
Our pick is the Buongiorno Toast ($26) or the ‘Good Morning Toast’, a take on the trending open-faced sandwich crowned with scrambled eggs and thick-cut bacon. Fortuna Terrazza’s version uses juicy, maple-glazed pork from Australia that slices apart easily, accompanied by melty provolone cheese and a delicate truffle mayo sauce that complements the dish without overpowering it. No cardboard sourdough here – the bread is soft without lacking structure and bite.
For something less predictable, go for the Folded Eggs alla Diavola ($25), which uses Fortuna’s signature fried pizzetta for a fluffy, chewy base. It’s layered with wilted spinach, folded eggs, shallots, and the cherry on top: salty, crunchy bits of salamino Napoli (traditional Italian cured sausage from Naples) and fine threads of chilli for a subtle kick of spice. Pro-tip: using whatever extra bread you have, pair it with the joint’s iconic homemade chilli oil on the side.
Unlike the two dishes above, the Aglio & Olio Benedict ($24) is more comforting than it is punchy. What stands out most is the rosti base, made of the thinnest potato shreds, nicely salted and fried in garlic and a good douse of olive oil (hence ‘aglio olio’) till excellently crisp. On top sit two poached eggs, wilted greens and a heaping portion of airy, whipped Hollandaise sauce piped tableside.
Maybe we’ve been spoiled by the brunch dishes so far, but the IFC burger (‘Italian Fried Chicken’, $26) is just okay. Yes, the chicken is perfectly succulent and the portion size more than generous. But the combination of the herb-infused batter, sweet marinade, cornflake crumbs and shredded apple coleslaw doesn’t quite hit the spot – and the fries are a tad overly salted, even for an Italian joint.
Dessert, however, is another story. Inspired by the hefty, restaurant-standard pancakes at Bill’s, Fortuna Terrazza’s RicottaMisu Hot Cake ($18) is in a league of its own. The thick stack is dense and substantial, but surprisingly neither heavy nor cloying. You’ll detect a slight savoury note from the cheese-infused batter, while the creamy mascarpone and coffee sauce do wonders to add complexity, bitterness and texture to the whole mix.
Wash it all down with tropical bellinis in flavours like peach, basil-cucumber and lychee – all topped with a luscious lemon foam. Or lap up the delicious beverages (from $14) the team has dreamt up, from pistachio and tiramisu over sweet coffee crema, to coconut and Nutella-inspired creations.
We haven’t even gotten to the best part: from 6pm to 10pm on weekends, Fortuna Terrazza will offer a condensed version of Fortuna's menu. Yes, that’s right, you’ll be able to order the same signature pastas, pizzas and well-loved dishes served at its original outlet across the street.
Fortuna Terrazza opens on October 1 at 10 Craig Rd, Singapore 089670. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 10pm on weekends.
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