In the short period it’s been open, Capri Trattoria has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. It’s not hard to see why. In an area (Bukit Timah) now home to numerous pizza ‘n’ pasta venues, CT&P is arguably the most polished of the bunch. Both the décor (Mediterranean coastal casual, narrow but high-ceilinged with rich brick, whitewashed walls and painted tile art) and the menu (roughly a dozen each of antipasti, pasta/risotto, meat/fish and pizza) are smart and stylish, clearly the work of experienced restaurateurs, which the owners are.

Prices are reasonable for the area, with most items in the $20 range and mains around $30. Finally, owner-manager Luca is a friendly presence, albeit somewhat shy by Italian standards, and overall we think Capri could be a sound choice for a casual meal with friends with one massive caveat: Don’t go during peak hours, because the whole thing falls apart when they’re busy.

On a recent Saturday evening, we suffered through leathery, undercooked ravioli (Ravioli al nero di sepia, $20), underwhelming pizza, a grilled beef main (Tagliata di manzo al rosmarino, $32) accented with 1cm rocks of salt, forgotten dessert and espresso, and long stretches where we couldn’t flag a waiter to save our lives. On the positive side, kudos for the wine recommendation (for the house red, Riparosso Illuminati, $50), tasty bread and taking 10 percent off our bill.

If you're in the area, why not try one of these great restaurants in Bukit Timah?