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Food hits: What to try at Hotel Michael’s Palio

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The Italian restaurant’s opulent, yet affordable, Oro Nero Risotto hit the spot big time

palio
Palio’s Oro Nero risotto comes topped with edible gold and Avruga caviar. Photo: Weekender, Karin Cheong

Risotto fans who enjoy the richness and flavour of the Italian rice dish will be in for both a visual and culinary treat with Palio’s excellent Oro Nero risotto ($32).

The rice, which is grown in Northern Italy, is first simmered in a full-bodied seafood stock before adding a squid and ink braise. The dish is then topped with a freshly seared scallop, Avruga caviar, and a lavish sprinkling of gold dust.

My dining companions and I enjoyed the robust, earthy flavour that came with the dish and finding surprise chunks of scallops hidden in the glossy, black rice.

Here’s a warning though: Order this dish on first dates only if you’re confident that your date does not mind black inky smears on your teeth.

We also tried the Maialetto ($38), an Iberico Pork confit set atop a bed of stewed capsicums and port wine sauce. Slow-cooked for two days, the pork was tender and well-caramelised.

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