Minetrone and bruschetta so good, they inspired and conspired to make people fall in love. Veteran photographer Mark Floro tells of a food tale both incredible and romantic — of how Linda so enamored him with her renditions of Minestrone and Bruschetta that he promptly married her.
The story piqued the curiosity of your Happyfoodies so much so that when we got the opportunity to visit Buon Giorno, Mark and Linda’s Italian restaurant in Ortigas, we knew we had to order what has smitten Mark.
Lagal[og] says: The Minestrone is excellent. The soup base has that tang and full-bodied flavor of tomatoes stewed for hours. Even if I just have this and the Foccacia, I’ll be happy. But I wouldn’t wanna miss the Bruschetta. The bread is freshly-made so it’s good even with just a dip of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. But the special dip it that comes with it is just heavenly. The tomatoes, Parmesan cubes, garlic and pepper are drenched in MaJoLin sauce (named after the first syllables of the names, Mark, son Jo, and Linda), the flavors harmonizing beautifully — the slight acidity of the tomatoes, the slight saltiness of the cheese, the nuances of the spices infusing the balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing with delicious subtleties.
Ironwulf says: I could already smell the Minestrone as it was coming to our table and it was pleasantly appetizing. A taste of the soup lent a dulcetly sharp tomato flavor that’s really enjoyable with each spoonful. There’s also a good amount of macaroni and vegetable bits to chew on. If there is one word to describe the Bruschetta, it’s delizioso complete with the Italian accent. It’s so unforgettable, you simply have to try it. The MaJoLin sauce distinctly made a difference in this addictive treat.
Lagal[og]s says: We asked the affable Jha what Linda prefers to eat and she cued us in to the Margherita Pizza. I love the utter simplicity of this pizza, the thin crust dough topped with a generous layer of cheese and tomato slices then sprinkled with herbs. For those wanting to indulge on the flavor without stuffing themselves with calories, this would be a good item to order.
Ironwulf says: I like thin crust pizzas and the Margherita Pizza was pure, light and simply good. I also got to taste their Vegetarian and New York Style Pizzas and really enjoyed the latter though personally I wish the crust was a tad crispier.
For the main dish we had the Rack of Lamb, with four ribs raised at the center, enveloping a tower of Mashed Potatoes and garnished with vegetables on the side and a mint-sauce. The meat was tender and perfectly grilled which means the lamb meat didn’t have any fishy flavor. The lamb stew sauce also helped heightened the meat’s flavor. I also like the home-made mashed potatoes — not too mushy.
We had the Chocolate Pistachio Sans Rival for dessert and I enjoyed the butter and chocolate layers. The pistachios added crunch and a nutty taste that I really liked. The treat’s a tad sweet but I’m not complaining.
Buon Giorno
3/F Tower I, West Rockwell Business Center,
Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
Landline: 671.9092 • Mobile: 0918.3132901
Open from 7:30am – 11pm, Mon-Sun
(Original location: 4 Cliff House, Tagaytay City)
im sure the food was great. but your shots are so superb they look even more delicious than they already are!
Man, you made me hungry! lol I better try them one of these days hey!