MANILA, Philippines - Italian cuisine, when properly executed, can transport passionate foodies to Florence, Sicily, Venice, Tuscany or any Italian town they wish to be in.
By simply highlighting the freshness and natural flavors of the ingredients that are abundant or popular in a particular region, the dish lets you embark on a culinary journey through your palate.
Well, that’s what diners can expect at Italianni’s with the launch of its “Cinco Magnifico” meals. Italianni's took inspiration from five popular regions of Italy — Umbria, Marche, Lombardy, Veneto, and Basilicata — to come up with five magnificent Italian feasts that food-obsessed Pinoys will surely love.
And since a typical Italian meal would start with an entrée, followed by a first course, a secondo or main course accompanied by a side dish and bread, the entrees and main course are served together on one huge plate so diners can indulge in one go.
For Basilicata, Italianni's offers a simple pasta dish (entrée) to go with the main course, which is a choice-cut pork chop marinated in herbs and spices
Pig farming plays a big role in Basilicata’s food culture. Pork from this region is leaner than in any parts of Italy, due in a large part to the mountainous terrain.
In Basilicata, a region south of Italy, most of the pigs are set to graze in the hills alongside goats and sheep, so they tend to have less fat, more lean muscle mass and a wilder flavor that one would expect from most pork products.
The choice-cut pork chop is marinated in herbs and spices and served it with Italian salsa and Forestiere (wild mushroom) sauce. Basilicata is a complete meal in itself and the portions are big enough to share.
According to RC Tiongson, director for operations, Amore Team, Basilicata is one of the top favorites from the Cinco Magnifico menu.
“It just goes to show that Pinoys are a carnivorous lot. The grill marks make the pork chops more appetizing. The meat has less fat so one can indulge minus the guilt,” he adds.
Cinco Magnifico dishes are inspired by the cuisine of the five regions in Italy that Italianni's adapted and developed into five different flavors. The end result matches Italianni’s taste profile and something that our guests really like.
At Italianni’s, Customer is King
Aside from the delectable Italian-American fare and the aroma of freshly baked bread — that wafts in the air as soon as you enter the resto — what attracts diners to Italianni’s is the personalized service they get from its amiable managers and hardworking wait staff.
For hungry diners, nothing can be more special and appetizing than a basket of freshly baked complimentary bread a server would plop down on the table even before handing you the menu.
“Customers feel valued when they are recognized by the server/manager once they step in our resto. All of us are trained to do just that. Diners also love the resto’s homey atmosphere and relaxed ambience, which are ideal for family and barkada bonding,” shares director for operations, Grand Team.
While a typical Italianni’s meal is big enough to share, the resto also offers piccolo or solo plates for those who watch their diet.
Most of the resto’s specialties now have piccolo servings. These include spinach artichoke formaggio and fried calamari for appetizer; pasta dishes like shrimp fra Diablo, shrimp and mushroom linguine, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp and asparagus Alfredo, carbonara classico, fettucine tartufo e prosciutto and seafood cioppino; and Parmesan-crusted fish fillet, grilled salmon oregano, and grilled pork chops for the main course.
More than just a pizza and pasta place, Italianni’s is a place where good food is shared with people who matter most.
Eats a Treat
Do you have a magnificent Italianni’s story to share?
To thank its loyal diners, Italianni’s treats a lucky customer to a free dinner for five.
E-mail your magnificent “Italianni’s Celebrazione” story via a photo with caption at myitaliannis@bistro.com.ph. Who knows? Your story might be the lucky winning entry to be featured at Italianni’s Guest Corner at the Philippine STAR’s Food & Leisure section.
“Tell us why why you love Italianni’s and enjoy a grand celebrazione with us,” adds Lisa.
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Italianni’s has branches at Alabang Town Center, Gateway Mall, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Greenhills, Eastwood, Tomas Morato, SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio High Street, TriNoma, Robinsons Midtown, Nuvali, Marquee Mall in Pampanga, and Abreeza Mall in Davao City.