Padrino - A.venue Mall, Makati City

Padrino - is one of the chain restaurants or L'Opera group.. Aisde from Balducci and Tratorria Gourmet.. THe place is quite small compared to the other restaurants. ENJOY card has one of the better offerings with this restaurants. So we are very happy to give this place a try. And knowing the great quality of Italian food tha L'Opera serves.. I hope we dont get disappointed.

Hmmm.. is it just us or the food here seems to be cheaper than L'Opera....

Insalata Caprese
Elle: The mozzarella was delicious, fresh basil leaves, lightly seasoned. It was a very light and fresh appetizer. Yum!

Cody: Sliced Mozzarellla... was good, not as fresh i want it to me but still better than other restaurants. Tomatoes were sweet and tangy...

Insalata De Mare

Elle: fresh seafood with a bit of freshly squeezed lemon with just the right tang; tastes like the sea! I could eat a whole plate of this

Cody:. I love how they cooked the seafood.. with just salt and pepper.. very lightly seasoned so as nto to distract the taste from the fresh seafood.. wonderful and the dressing just wakes up the taste buds

Four Cheese pizza

Elle: thin and crispy but as you eat it, the insde is gummy which I really like. Smells amazing. The bleu cheese wasn’t too overpowering.

Cody:I always like my pizza with a tomato sauce base... this was just okay for me..

Duck Ravioli
Elle: Pasta was soft and al dente and the sauce was amazingly delicious and creamy. the truffle oil added another level of flavor to the sauce. You can only have a few bites of this cause it was a bit too rich.

Cody: this was good, the gameyness of the duck was not overpowering. The truffle cream sauce was simply divine.. Ellle just had a few bites but i could finish this dish.. with bread :)

Spaghetti Pescatora

Elle: Pasta was cooked perfectly and it had a little bit of a bite to it. The sauce was a bit tangy because of the tomatoes but I loved it with the fresh seafood. It was a light meal and yet it was still very satisfying.

Cody: Pasta cooked just right.. seafood were a plenty.. THe tomato sauce getting the flavour form the seafood... perfect..

Grilled swordfish

Elle: The fish was soft, not at all fishy in taste. The veggies were also grilled well. however the serving was small.

Cody: nice size fish.. grilled perfectly.. moist and sweet tasting. Vegetables were also grilled correctly..

Would definitely give this restaurant another visit if we want to eat italian food. Keep us the good work

Volare - Araneta Center

As soon as we arrive in the Araneta Center complex, we tried to look for a good place to eat, walking around, we found this little Italian restaurant. Which was said to be owned by the Chef who started the Amici Craze.  So we expected a lot

Foccacia Bread- freebie

Elle: The bread was soft with a little bit of a bite to it.  The herbs weren’t overpowering and only gave the bread a mild flavor. 

Cody: I  find the bread soft but a bit dry.  It’s a good thing they serve the dip I love which consist of EVOO, balsamico and parmesan cheese

Frutti de Mare Pizza

Elle: Thin and crunchy crust but it was a bit dry since it had minimal tomato sauce and cheese.  The mussels looked really pale.  There were several slices of squid and pieces of shrimp.  The serving was still good and filling. 

Cody:  I was expecting a lot . But then this came. The crust was great but the rest f the pizza was a letdown. Too little toppings. Too little cheese…  it was still filling though.. 12 inches of bread... not enough other things

Amici - Makati City

To those who used to feel that this is their own secret little Italian get away…. Sorry to tell you guys… it's no longer a secret. After being bought by the people who used to run Red Ribbon. They have expanded the place and opened in 3 more locations. But what can we do, but live with it right? Just as long as the quality of the food doesn’t deteriorate… well lets see..

Genovese con Gambareti pizza

Cody: Nice looking pizza don’t you agree. The shrimp was plump and freshly cooked. It has the crunch I always look for when I eat prawns or shrimp. The crust as always was nicely done, not too thick, not too thin, just right.

Elle: I agree.  The pizza was thin and crunchy.  With loads of cheese and a very thin layer of tomato sauce.  You can see how thin the crust is and the lightly burned edges gave the dough a different taste.  I would have wanted more shrimps on the pizza.  After all it’s the only topping and a small piece doesn’t suffice. 

Spaghetti Vongole en Gambaretti

Cody: my favorite pasta order because for me it’s the most sulit. Thought the seafood can be overcooked like the tough scallop and the shrimp that’s hard to peel. Serving size was big. Served hot

Elle: this one had a lot of seafood,  the pasta was overcooked.  The sauce was good though since it tasted like  tomatoes that have been stewed for some time

La Dolce Vita - Alabang Zapote Road, Las Pinas

We first got to know about this restaurant in the website SOUTHBOUND.PH(which sadly is not updating anymore about food). WE tried to go to this restaurant once before, but couldnt find it. So after few weeks, we decided to try to look for it again. And with perseverance, we were able to find it. 

Its a long ride form makati, the place is near the the Las Pinas City Hall. Teh restaurant is big, with ample parking space in front of the restaurant.  

Freebies: Bruschetta

Pizza- Half Quattro Formaggio/Half Dolce Vita

Elle: at 1^st look, you would think that the pizza crust was thick. However, it was just the edges that was thick and rounded. The crust itself was thin and crunchy and could hold up whatever was on top of it.  It was not at all soggy even if it was drenched in cheese.  It wa

s delicious, soft stringy cheese melted over thin and crunchy, freshly wood-fire baked crust. 

Cody:  Pizza crust a bit thick for my Italian pizza standard, it was freshly baked in a brick oven which adds a lot of character to the crust.  The four cheese topping was delicious. No scrimping of cheese here. The Dolce Vita topping however which is said to be sausage was something else… it tasted sweet, like sausage from Pampanga. It didn’t really suited the pizza.  The Chili oil; didn’t have enough spice in it, it lacks the kick I am more accustom to. 

Linguine Marinara

Elle: The serving size was adequate. The noodles really tasted like seafood and tomato stew.  The calamari not at all gummy. 

Cody:  I was surprised by the large bowl it was served in. The serving size was indeed huge. The seafood was also a lot, except  for the shrimp or prawns. But it was cooked really well, the flavour of the sea was indeed evident in the pasta. What I didn’t like here was the half a “alimasag” that didn’t taste fresh.  So I didn’t eat it, I didn’t bother returning it anymore because of my hunger.

Overall, it is a god restaurant with affordable prices, but what is holding us back to coming here again, is the distance, Unlike C Italian.. which offers real great not just good italian cuisine. This place can still improve.  To People in the South, you guys are lucky to have a place like this 

C Italian Dining - Fields Ave, Clarkfield, Angeles City, Pampanga

Driving more than 90kms just to get to eat at this famous restaurant... was it worth it? read on..

The place was quite homey.. the structure nakes you feel your inside a castle.. well protected form the outside world. Even on a hot sunny day, it was cool inside. Service was impeccable.

Elle: Scrumptuous, I love the crusty bread. You can hear it crack upon breaking. The bread was very soft inside. The basil dip wasn’t overpowering.

Cody: the crunch of the bread reminded me of the movie Ratatouile when he female chef press the bread and telling the apprentice the importance of the crunching sound. Love their in house freshly baked bread. Love the dip as well. I think I can eat a whole loaf of this thingies

Panizza St Jacques

Elle: Very light and thin crust, it was slightly gummy in the middle but the edges were super crisp. It has n otomato sauce but was loaded with sun dried tomatoes slices, would have wanted more scallops and shrimps. Its was very savory. The arugula leaves were very big and fresh and it complemented the panizza.

Cody: I first got a taste of this last year and started to introduce this dish to friends. Brilliant is how I will describe Chef Chris . A lot of copy cat now, even yellow cab is joining in the wrap and roll craze. But the original is always the best. Will travel more than 90kms just to eat this. The blending of cheeses was indeed heavenly. I agree with elle that it could use bit more toppings

Risotto Cristina

Elle: When you moved the plate around the table you could take a whiff of how cheesy the dish was. It looked very appetizing. And you could see how much seafood was in the dish. Every spoonful was exquisite, and it was so cheesy, you can see the stringy component while getting each spoonful. The rice was cooked perfectly.

Cody: If someone is wondering what a perfect risotto should look and taste like. This is the dish. Al dente rice, creamy and cheesy. The Truffle oil giving it the extra UMPH!! To the dish. I also love how they do not scrimp the ingredients. Big chunks of seafood. A smile to every spoonful.

So... was it worth the drive??? Hell... yeah.. every single kilometer of it...

Ristorante Al Bacio Italiano - Fields Ave, ClarkField, Angeles City Pampanga

This italian restaurant is the newest addtion to the number of italian restaurant along Field Ave. You have Salvatorre(the old reliable) and C Italian Dining (which is arguably the best italian restuarant here in the country, to be posted next). We were on our way hoem when we decided to take home a pixza form this place

Funny pizza box....:)

Seafood pizza. Topped with calamari rings, mussels, Tuna chunks and chopped prawns. P390
Cody: Once the box was opened, you can smell the pizza... I love the way it looks. The contrasting colors of the tomato sauce, the cheese, the seafood..... it was like a pretty picture. But upon biting on the first slice... the crust was a tad too thick... for an italian pizza. The amount of seafood was adequate except for the fact that calamari rings predominate. i would rather there have more shrimp. The crust was a real downer. I hope they could improve on this aspect as the crust is the most important part of the pizza....

Elle: I pretty much agree with Cody. The pizza was eaten at home, which was probably 2 hours from where it was bought. but it still smelled fresh from the oven. The aroma was that of a blend of cheeses, tomato sauce and loads of seafood. it really smelled fantastic- it was uplifting. i was anticipating biting into a piece of thin and crispy yet gummy pizza crust. However it was really thick-deceiving cause it seemed like the crust was thin. it was still good in a way. I mean the taste of seafood and the aroma of a woodfire oven only slightly redeemed the crust.

Carlos Pizza - Various branches

A restaurant with branches in Tagaytay, Quezon City, Baguio, Paranaque.  We read different reviews about this place, but with branches in key cities here in Luzon, they must be doing something right.  Ate at this place during lunch time and we were the only people dining here. Ordered one Appetizer, one past and one pizza dish.

Buffalo Wings

Cody: reminiscent of the buffalo wings of Don Henrico’s(same owners?) Big, juicy and succulent, coated in a sweet bbq sauce instead of the Wing sauce they use in Buffalo N.Y. But the Chicken itself is the star.

Elle:  The serving size was a champ! It was a WING! It was cooked just right, soft meat with crispy skin but it was a bit too sweet for my taste.  I would have wanted it more spicy. 

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Cody:  Spaghetti noodles tossed in a creamy pesto sauce topped with grilled chicken breast slices. The pesto flavor was mild, the cream giving it more body, but making it less healthy. The chicken was miniscule but gave the dish the protein content I always look for.

Elle:  Not a fan of pesto but gave it a shot just to taste what it was like.  It was actually good.  The pesto was not too strong and didn’t steal the show.  I liked the balance between the pesto sauce and the cream.  Noodles were kinda soggy. 

Pizza- Four Cheese, half topped with Italian Sausage

Cody: Thin crust,  4 cheese, however it was missing something.. pizza sauce, I didn’t know if they did it intentionally, or they just forgot, I didn’t ask anymore. IT was okay. The Italian Sausage was just okay

Elle:  The crust was thin but a bit soft.  Would have been better if it were crispy thin.  The blue cheese was a bit overpowering.  And of course it lacked the tanginess and freshness that tomato sauce brings to pizza. 

Its a toss up betweem us if we are coming back here or not. THe chicken wings were fantastic but the other dishes were not that great. 

Il Ponticello - Valero St, Makati City

This place is more known as a hang-out place or a gimmick place rather than a fine dining restaurant. But we have read in a number of blogs and magazines that this place serves nice Italian food. It is even said that this is a nice place for dating,. I dont know if you guys know this fact, but this place has been open for more than 19 years now

Havent really eaten at this place… went here a lot of times but only to drink… the famous Azzuri. Now is the time to try their food.

Freebie- Grissini, something to munch on while waiting for the food

Spinack Artichoke Spread

Cody: Italiannis introduced me to this dip, but the quality of food at that restaurant has greatly deteriorated. Ponti’s version was great, piping hot, melted cheese, served with great bread. A wonderful starter

Elle: gooey, warm and cheesy-the dip practically drips form the utensil …definitely yummy and a MUST TRY!

Pizza- Half Arugula, Half Quattro Formaggio

Cody: delicious crust, asked for split flavors and they gladly obliged. The four cheese had slices of delicious mushroom incorporated in it.  The Arugula half was also wonderfully done.

Elle: The pizza was cheesy in just the right way.  It wasn’t overloaded with cheese.  Crust was thin and crispy.  It was light and not too heavy  

Fetuccine Marinara

Cody: It was evident that the seafood was cooked together with the sauce here because you get to taste the no just the tmatoes but also the essence of the seafood. Bad point here was the pasta

Elle:great-tasting sauce but soggy pasta :( It has a strange balance between the freshness of the tomato sauce and the seafood. 

Azzuri

Cody: Surprised that it was a frosted(blended ice) ice. Anyway. It was still god and packs a wallop.

 Elle: I can’t remember exactly how this drink tasted but I’m pretty sure it went well with dinner! I left the place very happy! One thing though…the ice they used was regular ice.  It would have been better if it were semi-frozen or if not tiny tiny crushed ice.

It is in deed a nice place to bring a date. The restaurant is not too full during dinner time. Food is excellent.

Piazza Pazzo - Rockwell

Before Cantinetta, before Cibo, there was only  one italian restaurant here in Rockwell.  THe name was Piu Pazzo. Opened 8 years ago, they had a makeover last year and changed the name to Piazza Pazzo. Interiors are now brighter and cleaner looking than before. THey have a new dish that called our attention. 
Pazzo Rolls - A relatively new dish they came up with. Comes in different blending of meats and veggies. WE got the one with shrimp and veggies

Cody:   this was indeed a great creation. Instead of baking it, they deep fried it, keeping everything inside moist and delicious. The dough has just the right thickness. Mixture of crispy and moist and elastic cheese plus the shrimp, drizzle with the mustard vinaigrette. It was indeed a wonderful explosion of textures and flavours

Elle:  Warm and gooey cheese, with yummy shrimp, but wouldn’t hurt if there was more. Rolled into a crispy pizza dough.  It was a bit bland but still very good.

Aside form excellent pizzas they also have good gelatos. Interesting flavors. We got the Irish cream and the Biscotti. Both were very very good. Creamy and filling.  No wonder this palce is still open even after years of operation and seeing a lot of their neighbors closed down shop. Food here is still good.