COVA Pasticceria - Confetteria

290A Orchard Road, #01-20A Paragon. Tel: 6733 0777, www.pasticceriacova.com,
Email: info@cova.com.sg Open: Daily 9am-10pm.

CONCEPT A veritable institution in Milan, this chic coffee and pastry shop was founded in Italy in 1817 and opened its first outlet in Singapore just last year. Located on the ground floor of Paragon, it's a convenient place to refuel mid-shop, or enjoy a value-for-money afternoon tea in elegant surroundings - complete with silver cutlery.

MENU Renowned for its confectionary and pastries, COVA also has a good range of salads and main dishes. The Mozart salad - arugula leaves topped with carrot and juicy grilled prawns dressed in the outlet's own balsamic vinegar - is a signature dish worthy of note. Other bites to try include the crab cakes with lemongrass capsicum or avocado sauce and the homemade ravioli filled with braised veal cheek in a light, thyme sauce. The pan-roasted cod is served on a bed of mashed potato with mushrooms and cherry tomatoes seasoned with balsamic vinegar and butter, while the lamb rack is drizzled in an espresso sauce - which proves a surprisingly complementary pairing.
        For dessert you'll love the wide variety of cakes and pastries on offer. For something light try the Mango Cream - layers of sponge, cream and mangoes from the Philippines, while chocoholics will adore the Sacher - a Viennese-style torte, with a rich, gooey chocolate sauce captured between layers of dense cake.

SURPRISE COVA hosts a high tea every day from 3pm to 5:30pm. Monday to Friday sets are from just $18, while the buffet on Fridays to Sundays is $28. Brunch is also served on Sundays from 11am to 3pm and is priced at $68 or $88 inclusive of free flow Prosecco.

PERFECT FOR Lunch with girlfriends or high tea mid-shop.

DAMAGE Starter $17.5 Pasta $28 Main $35 Dessert $9