If you are looking for a fast bite to eat, go somewhere else. The Opera Cafe is a place to imbibe the atmosphere – along with the wine – and enjoy the dining experience. Calm down, relax and let them take care of you. An enlarged Piano Shop card – complete with a keyboard, of course – strategically placed behind the fish tank is a strong indication that this space attracts artistic types. Once a month, local and international photographers descend on the venue for a brainstorming session. Daniel, the manager, is writing a book. The 15 videos that run include Cirque du Soleil. All very European, dahhhhhling. Terribly Italian, to be exact.
But what about the food? To give it a fast sum-up, the pasta is phenomenal and the service is impeccable. The made-on-the-premises gnocchi and ravioli are comfort food on a rainy night. Also perfect for a carb-loading before a Hash House Harriers marathon is the Bucatini all Amatriciana. Complete with tubular spaghetti, smoked bacon, onion, tomato sauce and pecorino cheese ($6.50), it provides the necessary energy to walk, jog or run across the finish line.
Check out the Picasso platter ($6) with two eggplant cakes, two potato croquettes and rice with supplli. And then there is the Carmen salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon and croutons ($5). Another healthy choice is the No Kill Burger. This vegetarian option is made with eggplant rather than beef ($5). Those longing for a taste of jolly old England can opt for the Baritono fish & chips ($6.50), but will need to bring their own copy of The Advisor to wrap it in. Khmer food fans can tuck into the Angkor fried noodles with beef or chicken ($4.50). My recommendation, however, is to stick to the spectacular pasta.
As for drinks, a glass of Grappa Nonino ($5) is practically mandatory for a truly Italian experience. Those wanting something refreshing should try the Aperol Spritz ($6) to titillate the taste buds. There are, of course, the usual offerings of soft drinks, coffee, spirits and beer. The house red is Sangiovese and the white is Trebbiano ($3.50 a glass), both very Italian, but would we expect anything less?
Cocktail aficionados can check out the Opera, a combination of Triple Sec, orange and lime juice ($4), or the My Darling – hot milk, Nutella and Baileys ($5) – concocted by Daniel the book-writing manager for those with a sweet tooth. While we were at Opera Cafe, the sky opened up and a monsoon poured down. There was only one logical course of action: order another glass of wine and continue on.
Opera Café, corner of Streets 13 and 178 (opposite National Museum)