Bar Somma first caught my attention with its incredibly tall ceilings and three seemingly wax laden apostles that had tiny white candles with actual flames on them. None of that fake IKEA tea candle nonsense that flap about with little verve. 

This to me screams old school romantic and I could not wait to visit for a night cap.

Located in New Bahru, the darling lifestyle destination that opened to much fanfare in 2024, Bar Somma is the latest brainchild of Italian Chef Mirko Febbrile who started Fico. Bar Somma is the sister establishment to the glitzy Somma restaurant which is figuratively and literally above Bar Somma. The vibe is more relaxed and probably intended as a spot for aperitivo hour, in true Italian custom, to stimulate the appetite and let your hair down before the dinner occasion. The cynical will say that this spot is to recession-proof the next-door concept but I digress.

The team behind Bar Somma.

Helmed by industry veteran Mel Chavez formerly from Smoke & Mirrors at the National Gallery, the cocktails are innovative and playful. The creations take the Italian theme very seriously and we are pleasantly surprised by what we have sighted in the menu. The drink that stood out most was the Bolognese Muse. This is a clarified cocktail inspired by the very hearty Italian sauce, ragu alla Bolognese. It is crafted with blended scotch whiskey, beef broth, tomato, carrot, onion and celery and reminds me very much of a soup. This has been described as punchy but yet comforting - definitely will try this when I am back in the mood for something more adventurous.

The menu is thoughtfully designed with a diagram having four quadrants, short, light, rich and long to help the guest decide between the options. It also is segmented into aperitivo, savoury, renewed classics, classic and even non-alcoholic. This makes for a less intimidating menu especially for the uninitiated as opposed to receiving a laundry list of cocktails with no sense of the strength or flavour profiles of each option.

As we were fresh from a positively gluttonous meal at Scarpetta, the current “It” Italian restaurant of the moment in Singapore, we each only had room for one drink to which I picked a very easy Midori Ritz that had my absolute favourites: the melon liqueur and ABA Pisco. The ABA Pisco really comes through. While it is not for everyone, when the occasion calls for it, I do like the fruity taste of the aromatic Muscat grape that offers the taste of jasmine flowers, honey and tangerine.

It was so easy to drink and was a nice companion to the light-hearted conversations that flowed to end the workday.

As it was a Tuesday evening, there were only a smattering of tables about us. This was even more relaxing as there weren’t many tables and the open space just made the place less hectic.

At the other end of the bar table, near the entrance, a family gathered to celebrate a birthday. This celebration of life, coupled with singing, added to the convivial atmosphere.

The birthday scene was not lost on me. It was a true embodiment of Italian values: familial ties, good food and living the moment. 

Speaking of good food, I hear the hearty food offered here is splendid although the serving sizes are lean, perhaps designed for a sexy night out to ensure you aren’t too full for after dinner activities. This is no place for a greedy sojourn. 

The star contenders include the Angus Steak Tartare and Yellowtail Amberjack Crudo. For the pastas, the Radiatori with River Crab and Capocollo are great for an indulgent night out that is pescetarian friendly.

Bar Somma is sleek and stylish and the perfect romantic spot to charm your date. It might even bring up some fond memories of passionate teenage love of halcyon youth with the right tipple and those gorgeous candle lights. After all, this all takes place in the halls of a former high school.

@crystaltonic