AMICI-Learning Italian
“I’ve never met a dish of pasta I did not love.” ~Unknown~
The tagline “Its more fun in the Philippines” is all true to me. Especially for foreigners. Why did I say that? The country caters to different dishes from almost every nationalities. Be it Japanese, Italian, Mexican, French, American, Swiss, Thailand, Vietnamese, to mention a few. You will likely prove it by the foods that Philippines offer to their visitors. Probably why a lot have made their sojourn in the country since they won’t have a hard time looking for their favorite food back home should the craving attacks.
One of which is Italian food. It is actually available almost anywhere. Even when I was in Tacloban. I used to have my dinners at Giuseppe’s, an authentic Italian restaurant where the owner who hailed from Italy mans the place himself.
One restaurant in Mandaluyong – Cantina Sicilianita’s chef even learned how to make home-made Ricotta cheese in Italy and brought the recipe here.
I’ve tried a lot of pizzas and pastas and gelatos. And I am having difficulty to choose who among them is the best. Because each offers a different twist and you will definitely fickle making a choice when it comes to which one is the best for you. It benefits you from the endless alternatives to choose from.
One of which is Amici. Specialty: Italian food. Pastas and pizzas. And an ice cream parlor to go with it – Caramia.
I was lucky enough to taste all the variants because the Store Manager of their branch in Alabang is a former colleague of mine.
My favorite from the many flavors she had me tried, a teaspoon full for each, is the pistachio, sansrival and of course blueberry cheesecake! (–,)
Amici originated back in 2001 with their pilot branch situated in Don Bosco, Makati. It was managed by the Salesian priests and started small until they became famous. My passion for anything vintage captured by their mosaic floors in this branch. And that tree that they didn’t cut and became part of the interior is just so amazing. It was extraordinary to me because personally I can not cut a tree. The place for me acquired a soul.
Their best seller is Spaghetti Al Tesori Del Mare. But I especially loved the Spaghetti Al Promodoro which is tomato-based. They made it so creamy I could just pull the sauce all off from the pizza and eat them on its own. For pizza it’s Pepperoni (as always) with three kinds of cheese (provolone, mozzarella and parmesan). During this visit, we tried Napoletana..
For pastas, I like their Raviolis too. The pasta is al dente and I can right away separate the taste of the fillings (we usually get pesto or shrimp) and I’m already good. =)
My health buff bff would never get tired of her Aglio olio e pepperoncino.
One friend commented that it is too oily though she justified that the oil is as well healthy. Amici uses olive oil in all their dishes.
I also like Italian restaurants with free-flowing parmesan cheese. I use it to take the place of salt. It makes my palate creamier. So less star for me if an Italian restaurant doesn’t have it. Additional star for the freshly ground pepper. And another additional star if the attendant volunteers to ground the pepper for you usually with a wooden pepper grinder. Amici have all of these. And I don’t mind dining there again and again. This picture is actually my 5th visit to Amici. And I’m looking forward for more visits when my “Amici” (friends) and I craved for Italian restaurant in Alabang. =)
On Purple Wings 