Summer is beginning to make itself felt. Pretty soon, people would be reaching for something cool and comforting to beat the summer heat. If one is passing by Burgos Circle in BGC and recently at SM’s the Block, check out Casa Italia. Don’t be intimidated by the fancy interiors of this Singaporean-based Italian coffee and gelato cafe chain. A warm greeting of “Ciao!” from the friendly staff once you step on the checkered floor tiles is enough to make you smile. Then, the array of colors from the numerous gelato in display will awaken your dessert indulgence.
Angeles City Foodtripping: Panizza and gelato stop at C’
We came to C’ Italian Dining towards the tailend of our Angeles City foodtrip assignment for a magazine. It was just early evening but we were already full after a day of glorious eating. But who’s to resist a serving of Italian fare? Not us, especially when it comes with a promise of ice cream at the end of the course. Finding the restaurant was a cinch as it is located just along Clarkview, literally within view of the entry gate to the Clark Ecozone. The first thing we noticed while waiting to be seated was the wall-lined with plates upon autographed plates, kind of like badges of good taste. As if we needed any as the place, the originator of the Panizza, the medley of Panini and Pizza now becoming popular in other joints, came highly recommended by our friends from the tourism office.
Affogato to crave for at Cara Mia
It’s no secret that your happyfoodies are big fans of Amici. So when Cara Mia, their gelateria, opened in Greenhills recently, we promised ourselves to brave the EDSA-Greenhills traffic one day soon just to see what’s there. One recent Sunday, we dropped by with full tummies with barely enough room for dessert but happily, we weren’t disappointed.
Buono appetito at Amici
It’s been quite a while since we last stepped into Amici in Don Bosco in Makati City. Oh, we’ve always considered this restaurant that boasts of affordable, home-cooked Italian-style cuisine as a comforting constant in a constantly changing foodscape. But ever since its takeover by a new management team two years ago, we had our apprehensions. And there’s also the expansion to include a branch in SM Megamall. Did the move to professionalize the operations alter the relaxed eating experience? Or worse, change the great-tasting food we’ve always come to love?
To find out, we dropped by on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch – a privilege not available when Amici was still run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Obviously, this is one of the benefits of the new management as Sunday is a very nice day to avoid the big weekday office crowds. The verdict: still as lip-smacking good as ever.