Rushed down to Ghim Moh a few days ago to Smiling Orchid at Block 11 to order a birthday cake for my daughter’s birthday and I dragged a friend down with me. Afterwards we were looking for a place for a coffee and a chat.

Forgot it was the 3rd day of Chinese New Year (29th January) and that all the eating places including the hawker centre were closed! Was about to give up till out the corner of my eye, I spotted Pizza Bar de Donato at Block 21. The staff were as excited to see us as we were to see them open as the whole neighbourhood looked deserted. No doubt, we were eagerly greeted by very warm welcomes by the Filipino team who were on duty that day.

I have to share this place with everyone only because my cousin K, told me about this place ages ago but everytime I get to Ghim Moh, I am lured by the charms of that awesome foodcourt with its FANTASTIC local food from the chui kwei and chee cheong fun to the chye tow kwei to its chye png and the unusual desserts with the tong yuen balls which I get everyday in HK but have only ever seen in Zion Road’s hawker centre.

Anyway, I digress because Pizza da Donato (which is quite a mouthful to pronounce – try saying it fast) was nothing short of plain amazing in terms of the taste, presentation and variety. To begin with the place is in the middle of a HDB estate competing with one of the best hawker centres directly opposite its restaurant location so it tells me that the owners are confident of their product and to open on Chinese New Year’s 3rd day was either faux pas or foresight. I was taken by the deli concept and the open kitchen where you see the pizzas being prepared and sliced.

I love thin crust pizza and this was a relatively generous piece, chockful of ingredients at $7 a slice. The 10 inch round pizza go for $15 onwards to $20 and there are 13 varieties including a Calzone Puff (which I like – they have classified it under Pizza). Ok not cheap for a heartland restaurant if you think about it, but it was delicious.

I also spotted a tub of squid ink sauce and if you love squid ink pasta (and I know a few of you do) this is where to head to – to get it.

Besides pizza, the place serves Beef Lagsana, Cannelloni, Spaghetti Bolognese, Sausages, Oven Baked Chicken, Fried Calamari, Eggplant Parmiggiana, Braised Lamb Shank (all ala carte and priced from $10 to $18). There are Soups ($7) and Antipasto ($16), Beef and Fish Carpaccios ($15), even a Cheese platter ($14) and for dessert, Pannacotta, which I have learnt to appreciate, a Hot Chocolate Lava Cake and Tiramisu (all from $5). Alcohol is at $7 a glass of wine and $38 a bottle, imported beers from $7 and juices, coffees and sodas from $3. Not too bad for beverages!

I MOST definitely WILL make a trip back before I head home to HK.

No. 21, Ghim Moh Road, #01-213

T: 6465 1338

No. 8, 6th Avenue

Tel: 6219 7562