Taking over from the 12-year-old stalwart, Ramato is a new chapter in approachable Italian fare
First opened in 2010, 208 Duecento Otto exhibited surprising longevity from its perch on Hollywood Road—yet, like all things good, the restaurant met its end earlier this year after 12 years of service. Moving into the rust-fronted, colonial-chic space previously is another concept also by JIA Group: Ramato (which takes its name from the round ramato tomato variety native to Puglia) styles itself as a casual neighbourhood restaurant specialising in rustic fare found in the south of Italy, served in a smart yet relaxed environment.
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The spacious Hollywood Road venue—a former meat storage facility—will be familiar to most who have visited 208 Duecento Otto since it was opened in 2010. Designed by Istanbul-based studio Autoban, the space has been updated with a hand-painted mural of Naples by Elsa Jeandedieu downstairs in the bar area, while the upstairs dining room has been redecorated with lively wallpaper featuring bushels of Sicilian lemons. By the staircase connecting the two floors, guests will find portraiture by emerging Ghanian artist, Wahab Saheed, as well as process-based canvas work by American artist Jeff Elrod.
The menu has been designed by Antimo Maria Merone of Estro, and takes inspiration from the home-cooked food of Merone's nonna, focusing on approachable, family-style dishes serving as a showcase for unadulterated Italian flavours. Simple starters like bruschetta and sautéed clams segue into pasta dishes like pappardelle in eggplant and Sagabuta pork ragu, fettuccine with king prawns, and a reinterpretation of spaghetti Pomodori using dry durum wheat spaghetti with Ramato’s signature ramato tomato sauce.
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