It has been a little over two years since Bottega di Carna opened its doors within Mondrian Singapore Duxton. And in that short time, the restaurant has become a go-to for modern Italian fare. An editor I know, who lives in the area, goes there often enough for the service crew to become familiar with his dietary needs (and quirks). Personally, I haven’t had anything short of excellent experiences at Bottega di Carna.

You wouldn’t necessarily experience it from the ambiance alone—the restaurant does have all the trappings of a shiny, modern establishment—but a homely atmosphere bubbles under the mirrored surfaces and marble table tops. You feel it with the conviviality among the service crew, and most importantly, from the food.

Bottega di Carna’s festive programme comprises a healthy slate of specials throughout December. There are a number of menus crafted for specific holidays—a five-course Christmas Eve menu, one for Christmas Day brunch, and another for Boxing Day brunch—but one that can be enjoyed every evening of the month is the three-course Festive Set Dinner.

To start, choose between a trio of hearty Italian classics. The Cotechino (pork sausage) is served on a mound of mashed potatoes with bits of lentils introduced for textural contrast in every bite. My colleague describes the Cotechino as having a savouriness skin to spam, with a springy feel. The Battuta Con Tartufo is an interesting combination of different parts of a cow, comprising beef battuta (the Italian cousin of beef tartare) mixed in with touches of beef marrow and served in the hollow of a bone marrow. Shavings of black truffle complete the decadence of the serving—delicately buttery and beautifully smooth at the same time. The dish comes with a side of tendon crackers that are crisp and sufficiently salty. I’d recommend scooping up the meat with one to cut through the heatiness of the battuta and marrow. I didn’t try the Sarde In Saor, a sweet and sour sardine dish paired with raisins, pine nuts, onion and ciabatta, but that’s most definitely a lighter option should you want to go ham with the main.

Like the starters, you’ll get to choose between three main dishes. I’d say, skip the Orecchiette Con Ragù Di Maiale—spicy pork sausage stuffed in the orecchiette—only because the other two options would offer a more balanced dinner experience when paired with the rest of the other courses. The Dentice, for example, is a perfectly cooked wild caught snapper (the crisp on the skin is excellent) served with artichoke and fish bone jus as well as asparagus. It’s the lightest combination of flavours on the menu yet hits the right spot, especially for a three-course meal.

With Dario Cecchini behind Bottega di Carna, the Costato Di Manzo is a continued hit. The black angus rib-eye cut is what you’d expect of the man known as the “World’s Greatest Butcher”—juicy, tender and deliciously paired with the chocolate wine jus.

Dessert comes in the form of the Berry Noir Symphony. It’s the only one offered on the menu, and while it may sound like it’s heavy on the berries, the actual star of the dessert is the macadamia crunch that fills the centre. Overall, the dessert is tart but balanced in the same way that you’d feel completely comforted and happy by the end of such a generous meal.

Bottega di Carna is located at Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 16A Duxton Hill, #03-01, Singapore 089970.