Buko Nero

Although Buko Nero loosely translates to “hole in the wall,” the small restaurant often books out a month in advance thanks to its inventive Asian-Italian fusion cuisine. Housed in a converted shophouse in Chinatown, the restaurant is owned by Venetian-born chef Oscar Pasinato and his Singaporean wife Tracy. The tiny, black-and-white dining room contains only 20 seats, making it ideal for a special occasion. In the open kitchen, chef Pasinato combines Asian and Italian flavors in specialty dishes like the minced-beef ravioli made with wonton skins rather than pasta. A short but well-chosen list of Italian wines complements the menu.