Eat, Drink, and Be Italian again with Italianni's Improved Menu at its Newly Renovated Gateway Branch

I have mentioned in my previous post about Italianni’s Restaurant that way before I fell in love with Bellin’s and Amoroma or other impressive Italian Restaurants for that matter, there is always Italianni’s that serves as my default choice whenever I am craving for good Italian cuisine.

Late last year, I had a chance to try one of their holiday offerings, Tre Combinazioni with some friends which got us raving about how still good Italianni’s food quality after all these years.  I can say that it is one of the reasons why Italianni’s has always been one of the best Italian restaurants in Manila for me.  I love the fact that consistency is one of their strong points in terms of good quality food, great ambiance, and superb service.

When I was invited recently to the re-opening of their newly renovated Gateway branch, I was already equipped with great expectations from the get go. After all, Italianni’s has always been tried and tested in my book. Truth be told, my expectations were not just met, Italianni’s delightfully exceeded it.

  

Known for its charming and homey ambiance resembling of an authentic Italian ristorante, Italianni’s has further taken several steps forward in improving the aesthetics of their Gateway branch.  While the charm is still ever present, the place has become more sophisticated without overbearingly so.

In line with the re-opening, Italianni’s Gateway introduced new additions to their already extensive menu.  If you are like me who is already impressed with their menu line up, their new offerings will excite you all the more as it carry a promise of a  more satisfying Italian gastronomic experience.

Our dinner started with crisp bite after bite of Crisp-Fried Shrimp Prescatore (Php275). Its hue resembling of a golden sunset carry a promise of crispy batter coating a rather succulent shrimp meat. While it is already good on its own, when dipped into the vinegar that comes with it give its flavor a certain zing that would have one crave for more.

When three small ramekins on a huge plate housing what I deem as mini emapanadas at first glance graced our table, I already knew that it is anything but ordinary. Aptly called Italian Pockets (Php350), these little crunchy pillow of doughs boast of different fillings such as chicken and shrimp, mushroom and bacon, and tuna and spinach. The anticipation of flavor in every bite is already a thrilling experience in itself, but the real delight comes as every savory filling mixes with the flavorful special dough as it plays in the palate.

While I am crazy about their Spinach & Artichoke Formaggio, I found yet another favorite with their Alaskan Crab Dip (Php395). Who wouldn't fall in love with the harmonizing combination of Alaskan crab, white wine, mozzarella cheese, and cream meant to be smothered on top of warm pita and garlic bread?

Italianni’s wouldn’t be tagged as one of the most celebrated Italian restaurants here in Manila by many for nothing.  Their impressive line of pizza and pasta dishes proved to be the patrons’ favorite.  Having a goal of further improving customer’s satisfaction, new pizza and pasta variants are also added to their menu.

Savoring al dente penne pasta in a light cream sauce is a simple yet delighting experience to have. Add to that a plump and juicy shrimps and mascarpone cheese on top, Italianni’s Shrimp Penne Mascarpone (Php525) is sure to delight anyone who craves for a simple and yet rich pasta dish.

Vegetarian or not, one would surely fall in love with their Broccoli and Asparagus Ravioli (Php450). Bite into the soft pillow of paper thin pasta and a creamy taste hinting of beautiful harvest season will greet you. Asparagus, broccoli, and ricotta cheese exudes a harmonizing flavor that blends perfectly well with the white creamy sauce.

The only pizza in which the crust is stuffed with mozzarella cheese, Caricato (Php525) is a good option if one is to indulge in a filling and satisfying serving of pizza.  Sausage, chicken, shrimp, bacon, and mozzarella with tomato cream sauce are beautiful combination in itself. But what made this pizza extra special that it already is are the pieces of cranberries thrown in that lends an exciting flavor to the entire pie.

If one is into savory and downright meaty pizza, their Angus Steak Pizza (Php575) is not to be missed.  Minced Angus beef combined with caramelized onion, green bell peppers, mushroom cream sauce and mozzarella cheese sounds really filling, and it really is.

Humongous serving of Italianni’s T-Bone Steak (Php1,750) is perfect for those who has big appetite, otherwise it can be shared by 2 to 3 people.  This perfectly grilled US T-Bone steak comes with pepper sauce, seasonal vegetable, and equally filling mushroom risotto. Other new steak options are Rib-Eye and New York Steak, but personally, their T-Bone Steak is highly recommended.

Of the many new dishes I have tried, it was their Crispy Pork Ribs (Php425) which got me really raving. If you are a fan of pork, you should not miss this for the life of you.  It was the most beautiful kind of crispiness and tenderness that goes together which I have experienced for such a long time.  The texture is beautiful and the flavor hinting of herbs and spices is simply impeccable. It comes with garlic rice, seasonal vegetable, and spicy scallion dip.

While the dinner was made special by the new dishes that graced our table, old time favorites at Italianni’s were also served for everyone to enjoy.  This only proves that whether old or new item, each and every dish on their menu holds a promise of delighting and satisfying everyone.

Baked Ravioli (Php425/regular, Php625/abbondanza) has always been one of my favorites. This cheese-filled raviolis drizzled with marinara sauce and basil pesto is always a beautiful way to start a meal.  I remember consuming an entire abbondanza serving all to myself way back when a mean craving for baked ravioli got me.  It was so good that I find myself craving for it again the day after.

Stuffed Mushroom (Php450/regular, Php675/abbondanza) is also one of the best appetizers that can surely whet your appetite. Italian sausage, fresh spinach, herbs, and three Italian cheeses stuffed in an oven roasted mushroom cap. These mini wonders may be small in appearance but it is guaranteed to be big in flavor.

A big fillet of perfectly grilled salmon served with potato wedges and sautéed vegetables is a thing of beauty in terms of presentation and taste. Grilled Salmon Oregano (Php550/lunch, Php795/regular) is surely to satisfy patrons who has intense craving for a fish dish.

Italianni’s Seafood Risotto (Php695) is a plethora of colors and flavors that will remind you of summer season by the sea. Salmon, shrimps, and calamari in white wine sauce simmered with Arborio rice, this risotto dish is bursting with seafood flavor meant to satisfy one’s tummy.

To complete a delightful Italian dinner, we had a big slice of New York Cheesecake (Php450) and Red Velvet Cheesecake (Php395).  While the famous Italianni’s New York Cheesecake served on a bed of strawberry amaretto sauce plays the favorite of many, the new addition Red Velvet Cheesecake is also a delightful meal ender.  It’s a layer of white cheesecake and red velvet cake with semi sweet chocolate chips topped with cream cheese icing and drizzled with chocolate ganache. The red velvet crust dusting also adds a dimension to this beautiful dessert meant to be savored whether you have sweet tooth or not.

While it is always their fresh fruit shakes and malt shakes that I get to enjoy when dining at Italianni’s, I was glad to have tried three of their specially concocted shakes to add to my long list of favorite. Ginger Watermelon (Php140) is a combination of fresh watermelon, grapes, and pinch of grated ginger which made the shake all the more refreshing. Fruity Carrot with Ginger (Php140) comprises of orange, apple, and carrot juice with a hint of ginger. While the Nutty Apple (Php140) is an energizing drinks which combines walnuts, banana, and apple. 

Needless to say, the dinner we had at Italianni’s was an exciting and delightful experience.  Their new additions to the menu only steeled my resolve that they deserve to be in line with the best Italian Restaurants here in the country.  The re-opening of their Gateway branch with a new sophisticated and cozy ambiance to boot is indeed good news to foodies near the area.  I couldn’t stress enough how Italianni’s have stayed strong all through the years of operation and it is rather impressive to know that they are firm to stay on top of their game by further improving not just the food, but the service and the ambiance as well.  

Italianni's Restaurant, Gateway Mall
G/F Gateway Mall, Aurora Blvd.,
Araneta Center, Cubao
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
Contact No.: (02) 913-1563
Website: www.italiannis.com.ph
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/italiannisph