An ode to Italian classics at L'Incontro

MANILA, Philippines - You immediately warm up to this place, with its high ceilings, rustic chandeliers, and intimate dining spaces. It has a rustic yet elegant charm. L’Incontro literally means “meeting place.” And for those who love good Italian food, it is, indeed, a place to meet and chill out.

L’Incontro’s new owner is foodie Tina Pamintuan, who, upon hearing that the original owner was selling the place, jumped at the chance to own the restaurant she loves so much. And, having completed a one-year course at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, she knew exactly how to make the dining experience at L’Incontro even better. “Everything is pretty much the same. I’ve just updated the ingredients,” Tina explains.

L’Incontro’s seafood bianco pizza will, no doubt, astound you. The freshest prawns, mussels, clams, and squid are placed on top of rustic Italian pizza dough and topped with cream and pesto. A glass of vino would go well with this, especially a 2007 Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo by Terre Palladiane. It’s a young, easy-drinking wine that gives fruity hints of cherry.

Aside from the pizza, you can also start with one of L’Incontro’s specialties, the crépes (crespella) con funghi e tartufo nero tartufo, freshly made crepes filled with smoked ham and cheese, and served with black truffle mushroom sauce. “I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love this!” exclaims Tina.

Designed to thrill meat lovers: L’Incontro’s grilled veal chop

Meanwhile, L’Incontro also serves up a very honest insalata caprese slices of ripe red tomatoes are arranged alternately with milky slices of buffalo mozzarella, which the restaurant orders from Italy. This is also served with a drizzling of extra virgin olive oil, basil, thyme, and some thick aged old balsamico.

For the pasta, L’Incontro actually has a repertoire of classic pasta dishes that many have grown up with over the years. The difference, however, is that Tina has found ways to make a classic recipe even more spectacular. For L’Incontro’s spaghettin e polpette di carne or spaghetti with meatballs, L’Incontro’s meatballs are made with beef, lamb, and sausage.

But what I have really come to love here is the gamber, rucolai e peperoncino linguini. It’s a simple, rustic dish of pan-fried shrimp with chili, baby arugula, and toasted pine nuts, tossed into L’Incontro’s freshly made linguini.

For the main course, there is the light and delicate pesce cartoccio, baked in parchment paper with white wine, parsley and tomatoes. The entrees also include the salmon with almond mascarpone, lamb chops with blue cheese, and beef tagliata. From the Italian grill, one may opt for grilled aragosta or lobster, rib-eye char-grilled steaks, and veal chops.

L'Incontro's Italian classic tiramisu is rich, creamy, and oh-so satisfying.

Meanwhile, dessert is an event in itself, especially when you have L’Incontro’s affogato, hazelnut gelato topped with crushed biscotti and served with a shot of espresso and Amaretto liqueur. There is also the Italian classic tiramisu that is rich, creamy, and oh, so satisfying. 

Finally, end your meal with a shot of digestif a Limoncello, Amaretto or Sambuca. L’Incontro’s food truly tastes like it was made in a kitchen in Italy. Luckily for us, it’s much closer to home.

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L’Incontro is located at 207 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo St.) in Makati City. Call 899- 0638/ 899-0642 for reservations.