Menotti has got to be the most stylish Italian cafe I've ever come across. The contemporary and chic interior is such an attraction that I wouldn't mind going there just to soak into the lovely ambience. It certainly oozes originality and comfort.

Brought to you by the people behind Garibaldi at Purvis Street, Menotti is really a great Italian hide out in a casual cafe setting that promises good quality Italian food at the same time. Desserts are promising and the pasta is gorgeous too.

Believe me when I tell you all about their classic Italian hot chocolate ($6.50). Made from a blend of the best cocoa beans from Central America, Africa and Java, this deep rich beverage is indulgence in its purest form. Sipping it is simply blissful. Thick and fragrant, it's definitely similar to drinking an entire chocolate bar. The great thing is that you get to control the amount of milk with their mini porcelain pitcher.

For starters, I had the Pomodoro. This brushette served on ciabiatta bread is a clear winner. The tomatoes are flown in from Italy and ripe enough to taste the warm sweetest to it. The nuances of each bite speak louder than anything in the room.

Sandwich lovers must try their Parma panini combination of ham, mozzarella and rucola salad. The crisp ham and its salty flavour complement the mozzarella and rucola. Definitely a joy to bite into especially since the bread holding it together was toasted to perfection.

The spaghetti aglio olio was a great crowd pleaser. This simple pasta had such fresh and juicy prawns that made it a clear winner. The olive oil made the whole dish sing. Very understated and delicious.

My personal favourite has got to be the Cannelloni baked pasta tubes with spinach and ricotta cheese. The spinach was blended well with a wonderful texture that was not at all mushy. The pasta and cheese married wonderfully and so did the spinach. A lovely combination that had my tongue yearning for more. Amazingly superb.

Dessert came in the form of a luscious and creamy Ricciotti - a cheese cake made from the finest ricotta cheese. The cake had an excellent milky flavour that was different from other normal cream cheese cakes. This one crumbles nicely and isn't too heavy. I clearly enjoyed it because I finished even the crumbs. A heavenly treat.

Dining in Menotti is indeed a great pleasure. I must add that it makes for a perfect getaway after a good shopping spree.